What is a crossover and do I need one?
For the most complete answer to this question, you’ll want to check out our crossover article. In simple terms, a crossover is like a traffic cop for audio frequencies. It filters and directs frequencies to allow only a certain range of frequencies to reach a certain speaker. Frequencies outside that range are attenuated or blocked. Every system needs a crossover of some type. How sophisticated a crossover you need depends on how elaborate a system you’re planning. If you’re running just a basic system with an in-dash receiver and four speakers, then you don’t need to worry about buying a crossover. Your full-range speakers already have passive crossover networks built in between the woofers and tweeters. And if you’re just driving full-range speakers with an external amp, the crossover network on the speakers should be fine. When you start adding multiple amps or dedicating an amp to driving a specific type of speaker (like a subwoofer), that’s when you’ll need a more sophisticated cr
