Crossover Networks for Loudspeakers

Most loudspeakers use multiple drivers and employ crossover networks to route the appropriate frequency ranges to the different drivers.

Crossover Elements

The capacitor has lower impedance for high frequencies. It acts to block low frequencies and let high frequencies through.		High-pass filter.
The inductor has a lower impedance for low frequencies. It acts to block high frequencies and let low frequencies through.		Low-pass filter.
A capacitor and inductor in series act to block both very high and very low frequencies.		Band-pass filter.

Two-Way Crossover

Combinations of capacitors, inductors, and resistors can direct high frequencies to the tweeter and low frequencies to the woofer. This amounts to filter action. A two-way crossover network divides the frequency range between two speakers.

Three-Way Crossover

Combinations of capacitors, inductors, and resistors can direct high frequencies to the tweeter and low frequencies to the woofer. This amounts to filter action. A three-way crossover network divides the frequency range between three speakers.

A capacitor has lower impedance for high frequencies. In series with the high frequency speaker (tweeter), it acts to block low frequencies and let high frequencies through.

The inductor has a lower impedance for low frequencies. In series with the low-frequency speaker (woofer), it acts to block high frequencies and let low frequencies through.