[dullskull]

 Hello Everybody,
 I would like to design a 2nd order, 2-way x-over and was wondering if there are any formulas out there that would enable me to design a series network?  I've searched around a bit but not much luck yet.

[Bill Baker]

Hi dullskull,
 Unless you are very proficient in x-over design, a series crossover is very difficult to design and even more difficult to get right.
 Even some of the big name manufacturers have tried and failed as successfully  engineering a series crossover.

[dullskull]

 Wishful Thinking Huh?
 I did read once that the difference between a parallel and series network on 2nd orders was negligible; so I'll confine myself with what I currently know. For 1st order networks, however, the series is the way to go. Again careful design considerations must be addressed.

[jeffreybehr]

They're discussed in Vance Dickason's 'The Speaker Design Cookbook'.  Are you looking for more info than that?

[Danny Richie]

I have designed a lot of series networks and for years my A/V-1 has used a series network, but it is not a first order series network. The latest version uses a parallel network and crosses lower.

There are advantages but few drivers really work well with first order series networks.

[Daryl]

Both series and parallel XO's are equally effective so don't fall for any mystique surrounding the genre.

To truly design speakers and/or crossovers (even active and digital systems) you must conduct acoustic measurements (and impedance measurements if you are building a passive XO).

In the development of XO's you must understand how to manipulate amplitude and interdriver phase to be succesfull.

It is a common myth that active or digital systems can be setup just by adjusting the dials to the desired settings (not true).

Design formulae for XO's, zobels, BSC, L-pads and many other uses are all nonsense.

Different numbers of componets and different values for each of them will result from these two approaches to passive crossover design and meeting your criteria.

Parallel networks are more commonly used but it might workout that you can meet your criteria more efficiently with the series network.

[dullskull]

They're discussed in Vance Dickason's 'The Speaker Design Cookbook'.  Are you looking for more info than that?

What edition are you referring to ? I have the 4th and he doesn't treat 2nd order series in that one.

[dullskull]

I have designed a lot of series networks and for years my A/V-1 has used a series network, but it is not a first order series network. The latest version uses a parallel network and crosses lower.

There are advantages but few drivers really work well with first order series networks.

Hi Danny,
 I remember that you sent me an attachment showing the details of that series network. That was some time ago when you were just ramping up. Just curious, but why the switch back to parallel ?

[Danny Richie]

I now have all new tweeters (GR-T3 tweeters). So I designed new crossover for all the A/V series speakers.

The series network dictated the crossover point of just over 3kHz.

This time I used a parallel network to allow the crossover point to fall at the 2kHz range. This improved resolution and vertical off axis response giving it a more even room response.