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 1 response by tutordennis

I think that's one of those things that boil down to a matter of taste. Most people in audio are trying to build a system that serves their music, and gets out of the way. Some people are disturbed by phase errors or certain types of distortion, and some consider these acceptable trade-offs.

I personally prefer time and phase coherent speakers, although I have none in-house right now. I was raised on Vandersteens, and these kind of speakers just seem to serve the music better over the long haul. Of course there are only a few companies making this kind of speaker, now that Meadowlark is gone. The parameters that are needed to make a first-order speaker go are more limiting to a designer than than say fourth-order ones.