Are first order crossovers best?


Here's an interesting item IMO. In looking for some speaker cables, and possibly interconnects too, I've been hearing from the various manufacturers of these wires a question regarding the crossover in my speakers.

"What order crossover is in them, first, second, third, etc?"

I believe mine (VR4 JR's), are fourth order.

The thought that comes to my mind is this...What does that matter? Should I care what sort of ordered crossover there is in a speaker? How big or small a part does it play?

At this point I have no answers for the above Q's.... if I could have your thoughts and experiences it would be more than appreciated to shed some light on this currently dimly lit subject...

Thanks all...
blindjim

Showing 3 responses by brianmgrarcom

However, a 4th order crossover is much harder to make and more expensive.

This is the opposite of what I have been told; first order done right is not an easy task.

Also, and correct me if wrong, the advatage of lower order cross overs is less parts in the signal path, therefore less to degrade the signal.
Brian, on the surface a 1st order crossover would seem to be simpler, having less parts in the signal path.
I wasn't saying a first order is "simipler" (to design), actually just the opposite; while it has less parts it can be harder to get right. Unless by "simpler" you mean the finished design is simpler than a more complex higher order.

I can't argue with the rest of what you said...not that I am arguing anything, I don't know enough to do so! :)

Let me close with this, in theroy, the less a signal has to "go through" the better, yes? (I am not saying all first order designs are guaranteed to be better.)
Thanks Eldartford, I hope I made it clear enough in my post that I am not making comments of any great authority of my own, just some things I was told and/or picked up. I was simply told that it is harder to do a first order cross over correctly than higher order, if that isn't the case I am fine with that, but it would beg the question, why don't more manufacturers do first order cross overs. (Another "thought", is it possible that schematics for a high order cross over looks more complex, but it is actually harder to get the same result with less parts, therefore in the end the one looks simpiler but the road to the result was just the opposite?)