🔰 BEGINNER LEVEL: Setting Crossovers in a DSP

The Basic Approach

A DSP crossover is a digital filter applied per output channel. Unlike passive crossovers (capacitors and inductors built into a box), DSP crossovers:

• Cost nothing to change — adjust in software, re-listen, repeat
• Have no component variation or drift
• Can be any slope, any frequency, any alignment
• Don't interact with speaker impedance (unlike passive crossovers)

Setting up a basic 2-way + subwoofer system:

1. Subwoofer output: Low-pass filter at 80 Hz, 24 dB/octave (Linkwitz-Riley)
2. Subwoofer subsonic filter: High-pass filter at 25 Hz, 24 dB/octave (protects ported enclosure)
3. Front speaker outputs: High-pass filter at 80 Hz, 24 dB/octave (protects speakers from bass)
4. Verify: Play test tone at 80 Hz — both sub and fronts should play at similar levels

Why Linkwitz-Riley 24 dB/octave:

At the crossover frequency, both filters are at −6 dB. The sum is flat (0 dB). Both channels are in phase. No peaks, no dips, no polarity corrections needed. It's the professional standard for good reason.