Passive crossovers, which do not require their own power supply, are an inexpensive and easy-to-install option that still directs frequencies to the appropriate driver. However, passive crossovers are less efficient than active crossovers. Because they are installed between the amplifier and the driver, the total signal is amplified before it reaches the crossover, which converts the unwanted parts of that signal into heat. Component speakers come with their own passive crossovers, making it easy to install and direct the appropriate frequencies to both the tweeter and woofer.
Choosing the best speakers for your vehicle can be difficult without actually hearing them. However, paying attention to the following specifications will give you a general idea of a speaker’s capabilities.
The reason why a bass bass note sounds so different from the shrill sound of a loud whistle is because of its frequency. Sound waves act like ripples in a lake. If you throw a large rock into the lake, a deep “plunk” pushes the big waves away from the rock. Throwing a pebble, on the other hand, produces a higher-pitched sound and smaller waves that nestle closer together. The number of waves that cross a point in a given period of time is known as the frequency of the waves. The higher the frequency of a sound wave, the higher its pitch.
Different models of car speakers are capable of producing different sound frequencies. Woofers focus on bass and bass sounds, while tweeters are used for high-pitched sounds.
The frequency range of a car speaker details the highest and lowest notes it is capable of producing. In general, humans are able to hear sounds ranging from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Although the frequency range of many automotive speakers exceeds the 20,000 Hz limit of our hearing, the high notes in this range can harmonize with the notes we hear, modifying our listening experience. Just because a speaker can produce a wide range of frequencies doesn’t mean it will sound good when doing so. Unfortunately, the complexity of speakers prevents us from measuring their quality with a single, simple metric.