Bassilisk.audio

Active & DSP crossovers

Filtering before the amp, in analog or software.

1 min read
Learn Back
Ask in forum Suggest edit

Why it matters

Active filtering gives control that passive parts cannot easily match.

You can set crossover slopes, EQ, delay, level, limiters, and protection in software or analog electronics. That control helps, but it also makes measurement and setup more important.

How it works

A passive crossover sits after the amplifier. An active crossover sits before the amplifiers.

With DSP, the signal is processed digitally. The processor applies filters and sends separate outputs to amplifier channels. A two-way active speaker usually needs at least two amplifier channels per speaker: one for the woofer and one for the tweeter.

Common mistakes

Simple example

Crossover A crossover splits audio between drivers. It is not a hard wall; drivers still overlap around the crossover point. Why split the signal One driver can't do deep bass and clean treble at once. A crossover sends lows to the woofer and highs to the tweeter, keeping each driver in its comfort zone. Phase Phase describes timing between waveforms. Around a crossover, poor phase alignment can make two drivers cancel instead of sum. Tools: REW & mics Basic speaker measurement needs software, a measurement microphone, a way to play the test signal, and a repeatable setup. REW is a common free tool for this work.

Discussion

Ask a question Start a discussion

No discussion yet

Ask a question or share a field note tied to this topic — it shows up here.