What difference does the "order" make with x-overs


Hi all,
I notice that some speaker cross-overs (passive) are "1st order", "7th order", etc. What does this mean and is one better than the other? Why? Any suggested readings/sites for getting information about this or cross-over/designs in general?
Thanks and happy listening!
myraj

Showing 1 response by unsound

In very simple terms the lower the order the more the drivers share content. There are other by-products such as phase, time, signal reflection, energy storage and impedance that may be effected by cross-overs. Please keep in mind that besides "order" there are passive, mechanical(co-axial drivers), active and digital as well the absence of cross-overs in speaker designs (although all speakers have cross-over like "symptoms?") . As far as better, there are many different opinions (sometimes pasionate). I think most would agree that in an ideal world there would be no need for them (and some actual designs exist). Most (but not all) speaker designers who put an emphasis on time and phase use low order cross-overs despite the extra burden placed on adjacent (and further) drivers. Others believe that this is not a consideration and prefer to let different drivers work in there optimum range. Although cross-overs are an important design element, they are only part of the equation. For what ever it's worth while appreciating other designs ( Maggies, Martin Logan, Acustats, Aieral, Wilson) I am consistantly attracted to low coss-over designs even though they might have a very different sonic signature ( Thiel, Vandersteen, Dunlavy ). I am very much looking forward to listening to other designs (Walsh drivers, Tact digital crossovers, etc.) I hope this helped you.