1. What is Crossover Slope?

The crossover slope describes how rapidly a filter attenuates signals beyond its cutoff frequency. It's measured in decibels per octave (dB/octave) and is directly related to the filter order.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• 6 dB/octave — Slope per order
• Filter Order — Typically 1 to 4

Explanation: Each additional order increases the slope by 6 dB/octave, making the filter more selective.

3. Importance of Crossover Slope

Details: The slope determines how effectively a crossover separates frequency bands, affecting speaker performance and sound quality.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the filter order (typically 1-4). Higher orders create steeper slopes but may introduce phase issues.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the most common crossover slope?
A: 12 dB/octave (2nd order) is widely used as it provides good separation with manageable phase shifts.

Q2: Do steeper slopes always sound better?
A: Not necessarily. While steeper slopes (24 dB/octave) provide better band separation, they can cause phase and transient response issues.

Q3: What's the relationship between slope and filter order?
A: Slope = 6 dB × order. 1st order = 6 dB/octave, 2nd order = 12 dB/octave, etc.

Q4: Can I mix different slope orders?
A: Yes, but this requires careful design to maintain proper phase relationships between drivers.

Q5: What about Linkwitz-Riley and Butterworth filters?
A: These are common filter types that use specific orders and have particular phase and amplitude characteristics.