What to Know About JL Audio Crossover Car Audio Signal Processors
Getting the right sound from your audio equipment can get complicated. Subwoofers, amplifiers, and speakers all need processed signals to get the best sound quality. With a signal processor and audio crossover from JL Audio, you can achieve the right sound from your system.
What does a crossover do?A crossover is an electronic device that converts a single audio input into multiple signals. These two or three signals are divided into bands based on frequencies. Input signals can be separated into a low, high, or mid-range frequencies.
Do you need a crossover?A crossover is useful for every car audio system. The crossover directs sound to the correct driver in your system. All audio frequencies need to be directed properly or you may end up with a component playing a sound it was not designed to play. A crossover is important for tweeters and woofers to get the right low, mid, and high frequencies. Without a crossover, you might end up with audio equipment that sounds poor.
What types of crossovers are available?There are two different types of crossovers: passive and active. Passive crossovers have limited control of their volume levels on each channel and do not require any additional power. These crossovers are placed between the speakers and the amplifier. This type of crossover is less accurate and has less customization available.
The active crossover will need an additional power source. This component is installed between the amplifier and receiver, operates on low-level signals, and controls the volume of each frequency band. There are some crossovers that may also have an equalizer function. An active crossover gives you more control over your amplifier by allowing you to choose which frequency to boost.
What does a digital signal processor (DSP) do?Audio signals sometimes need to be processed and converted into another type of signal. There are analog-to-digital converters that can take an analog signal and turn it into a digital format. The signal processor will then take all that information and distribute it to other components. The DSP can either multiply, divide, add, or subtract a signal.
What models are available from JL Audio?JL Audio has a full range of digital signal processors and audio crossovers in their product line. They have many options available, depending on which signals you want to mix for your audio equipment. The TwK model is JL Audio's line of DSPs. The crossover models from JL Audio include:
- C2-525-XO
- C2-075CT
- C2-650