Passive Crossover Designer
Design 2-way passive crossovers with Butterworth or Linkwitz-Riley filters. Calculate component values and view circuit schematics.
Component Values
High-Pass (Tweeter)
Low-Pass (Woofer)
Circuit Schematic
Component Shopping List
| Component | Section | Calculated | Standard Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacitor 1 | High-Pass | 4.69 µF | 4.70 µF | Film/Polypropylene |
| Inductor 1 | High-Pass | 0.60 mH | 0.56 mH | Air Core |
| Inductor 2 | Low-Pass | 0.60 mH | 0.56 mH | Air Core |
| Capacitor 2 | Low-Pass | 4.69 µF | 4.70 µF | Film/Polypropylene |
Standard values are from E12 series for capacitors and common inductor values. For best results, use film or polypropylene capacitors and air-core inductors rated for audio applications.
About Passive Crossovers
A passive crossover divides the audio signal between drivers using inductors and capacitors. Unlike active crossovers, they require no power and are placed between the amplifier and speakers.
Butterworth
Maximally flat frequency response in the passband. -3dB at crossover point. Good phase response but drivers are 90° out of phase at crossover.
Linkwitz-Riley
-6dB at crossover point, sums to flat response. Drivers are in-phase at crossover. Preferred for most speaker designs due to better summing behavior.
Filter Order Guide
- 1st Order (6dB/oct): Gentle slope, wide overlap between drivers. Simple but requires careful driver matching.
- 2nd Order (12dB/oct): Most common. Good balance of complexity and performance.
- 3rd Order (18dB/oct): Steeper slope, better driver isolation. More components, more complex.
Formulas (2nd Order):
Butterworth: C = 1/(2π×fc×Z×√2), L = (Z×√2)/(2π×fc)
Linkwitz-Riley: C = 1/(2π×fc×Z), L = Z/(2π×fc)