Audio Crossover Frequency
f_c = 1 / (2π√(LC))
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Formula
Description
Audio crossover networks split the frequency spectrum between multiple speaker drivers, directing low frequencies to woofers and high frequencies to tweeters. The crossover frequency is determined by the LC resonance point where the inductor and capacitor impedances are equal. A second-order crossover using both L and C provides a 12 dB/octave slope, which gives better driver protection and flatter frequency response than a simple first-order (6 dB/octave) filter. The component values must be calculated for the nominal impedance of the speaker drivers.
Variables
- f_c — Crossover frequency (Hz)
- L — Inductor value (H)
- C — Capacitor value (F)
Practical Notes
Common crossover points are 80-200 Hz (subwoofer/woofer), 1-3 kHz (woofer/tweeter for two-way), and 500 Hz/5 kHz (three-way systems). Use air-core inductors for tweeters to avoid saturation distortion. Film capacitors are preferred over electrolytics in crossover networks due to lower ESR and better linearity. Always verify the crossover behavior with actual impedance measurements of your drivers.
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