Crossover 102 - Electronic Crossovers
by Marty McCann
© 2001
What is an Electronic Crossover?
The electronic crossover is an external electronic signal processor
that takes the place of the passive crossover that is in a
full range loudspeaker enclosure. In the world of today's high
performance sound systems, the electronic crossover minimizes
the distortion associated with full range passive crossovers,
when the sound reinforcement application includes the complete
micing up of the entire backline of stage musical instruments.
The Electronic crossover allows for increased performance from
the sound system by enabling the loudspeaker system to be run
as an active Bi-amped two-way, Tri-amped three-way, or even
a four-way (Quad-amped) sound system. The electronic crossover
breaks the audio frequency spectrum into two, three, or four
discrete bands of frequencies. Each defined bandpass is then
actively powered by it's own dedicated power amplifier which
then drives a loudspeaker component specifically designed to
reproduce this portion of the spectrum. The result is a significant
improvement in system performance due the tremendous increase
in power amplifier and overall system headroom.
Headroom is defined as simply as possible as space remaining
above the signal. It means that the voltage window that the
power amplifier provides is not all used up, and there is reserve
horsepower remaining above and beyond this nominal or average
signal level. (Espacio ariba de senal). A power amplifier is
able to produce it's rated output power because there is a
positive (+) and negative (-) voltage rail or limit designed
into the amplifier. The outgoing signal is said to swing or
move between the positive and negative voltage tracks or rails.
When either the positive or negative going signal reaches its
rail or the limit of its available voltage swing, it is said
to clip or stick to the power supplies rail. Power amp clipping
is the biggest cause of loudspeaker failure.
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