Speaker Crossover Calculator

A speaker crossover splits an audio signal into separate frequency bands so each driver — woofer, tweeter, or midrange — only receives the frequencies it's built to handle. Select your crossover type (2-way or 3-way), filter order, and filter type, then enter your speaker impedances and crossover frequencies to get the exact capacitor and inductor values needed for each driver in your passive crossover network.

Ω
Ω
Ω
Hz

Frequency between woofer and midrange (3-way) or woofer and tweeter (2-way)

Hz

Frequency between midrange and tweeter (3-way only)

Results

Woofer Capacitor (C1)

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Woofer Inductor (L1)

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Tweeter Capacitor

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Tweeter Inductor

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Midrange Low Capacitor

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Midrange Low Inductor

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Results Table

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Butterworth, Linkwitz-Riley, and Bessel filter types?

Butterworth filters provide maximally flat frequency response, Linkwitz-Riley filters ensure perfect acoustic summation with minimal phase shift, and Bessel filters offer the best time-domain response with minimal group delay distortion.

How do I choose the right crossover frequency?

Choose crossover frequencies based on your drivers' capabilities. Typical ranges are 200-800Hz for woofer-to-midrange and 2000-5000Hz for midrange-to-tweeter. Avoid crossing over near driver resonant frequencies or where response drops significantly.

What's the difference between 1st order and higher order crossovers?

1st order crossovers (6dB/octave) have minimal phase shift but less steep rolloff. Higher orders provide steeper slopes (12dB, 18dB, 24dB/octave) for better driver protection but introduce more phase shift and component complexity.

Why do 2-way and 3-way crossovers require different calculations?

2-way crossovers split frequencies between two drivers (woofer and tweeter), while 3-way systems add a midrange driver requiring two crossover points. This creates different filter topologies and component value requirements.

What tolerance should I use for crossover components?

Use 5% or better tolerance for capacitors and 2% or better for inductors. High-quality components ensure accurate crossover frequencies and consistent performance. Consider using non-polarized capacitors for audio applications.

Do I need a Zobel circuit for my crossover?

Zobel circuits help stabilize driver impedance at high frequencies, making the crossover behavior more predictable. They're especially useful with inductive drivers or when precise crossover performance is critical.

Can I use these calculated values for active crossovers?

These calculations are for passive crossovers using capacitors and inductors. Active crossovers use electronic circuits with different design principles, though the crossover frequencies and filter types remain relevant concepts.

What happens if I use the wrong component values?

Incorrect values will shift the crossover frequency and may create frequency response dips or peaks. This can result in poor sound quality, driver damage from out-of-band signals, or unbalanced frequency response between drivers.