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Passive Speaker Crossover Designer (E-Series Snap)

Design 2-way Linkwitz-Riley or Butterworth crossovers. Automatically snaps theoretical capacitor and inductor values to the nearest standard E12/E24 audio components.

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About

Designing a passive crossover network involves balancing frequency separation with component availability. Theoretical formulas often yield component values (e.g., 3.1415 µF) that do not exist in the real world. This tool calculates the ideal values for High-Pass and Low-Pass filters and then "snaps" them to the nearest standard E-Series (E12/E24) values, which are readily available from electronics suppliers.

Accuracy in crossover design is vital to prevent "beaming" (where the woofer plays frequencies too high for its diameter) and to protect delicate tweeters from low-frequency energy that can cause thermal failure. The tool supports standard 1st order (6dB/oct) and 2nd order (12dB/oct) designs, commonly found in Hi-Fi and studio monitor applications.

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Formulas

For a 1st Order Butterworth High-Pass filter, the capacitor value C is calculated using the impedance Z and crossover frequency fc:

C = 12π Z fc

For a 2nd Order Linkwitz-Riley Low-Pass, the inductor L is defined as:

L = Zπ fc

Reference Data

OrderSlopeComponents (per driver)Phase Shift
1st Order6 dB/oct1 (C or L)90°
2nd Order12 dB/oct2 (C & L)180°
3rd Order18 dB/oct3 (2C, 1L or 2L, 1C)270°
4th Order24 dB/oct4 (2C, 2L)360°

Frequently Asked Questions

Butterworth filters produce a 3dB peak at the crossover point if the drivers are in phase, creating a slight 'bump' in volume. Linkwitz-Riley filters sum to a flat response (0dB gain) at the crossover point, making them the preferred choice for modern audiophile systems to ensure smooth transition.
4.2uF is not a standard manufacturing value. The tool 'snaps' your result to the closest value found in the E12 or E24 series (like 4.7uF), which you can actually buy off the shelf. Small deviations usually have minimal audible impact.
No. This tool calculates the primary frequency crossover components. It assumes your driver's impedance is resistive and constant. For drivers with high inductance peaks, a separate Zobel impedance equalization network is recommended.