What is the difference between active and passive crossovers?

Active and passive crossovers are two ways to distribute audio frequencies between the speakers in an audio system.

Both methods ensure that tweeters, midrange speakers and woofers reproduce the correct frequency ranges.

What is a passive crossover?
A passive crossover uses a separate filter between the amplifier and speakers.

It distributes the signal between, for example, a tweeter and midbass driver without requiring a separate amplifier channel for each driver.

This is common in car component speaker systems, where the supplied crossover drives both the tweeter and midbass driver from the same amplifier channel.

What is an active crossover?
An active crossover splits the audio signal before amplification, usually using a DSP or an active crossover unit.

Each speaker or speaker group is then driven by its own amplifier channel.

This gives greater scope to adjust:

• Crossover frequencies and filter slopes.

• Each speaker’s sound level.

• Time alignment.

• Equaliser and other sound settings.
  

Which is better: active or passive crossovers?
Passive crossovers are often easier to install and require fewer amplifier channels. They are a good choice for many standard audio upgrades.

Active crossovers offer greater control and more adjustment options, but require more equipment and knowledge to set up correctly.

Important: With active crossovers, every speaker must receive the correct frequency range. A tweeter receiving excessively low frequencies can quickly be damaged.

Unsure which solution suits your audio system? Contact our customer service team and we can help you choose.