Northcreek claim that B&W use a ferrite core inductor in the crossover. B&W have indeed been cutting corners in order to keep costs down. Most manufacturers will cut cost on drivers and internal parts (the bits you do not see) in order to increase margins and spend more on veneer and external aesthetics (what you see & are willing to pay mor for).
Since most people hear what they see - this works eminently well.
It is well known that ferrite core inductors are non-linear and can even saturate - they are found in many speakers but a large expensive air core inductor is definitely preferred for high end applications where linearity is important.
Better still - get an active speaker and get rid of the crossover capacitor non-linearity and power losses too. A passive crossover is a bad idea unless you don't mind the power losses and distortion that it introduces.
Since most people hear what they see - this works eminently well.
It is well known that ferrite core inductors are non-linear and can even saturate - they are found in many speakers but a large expensive air core inductor is definitely preferred for high end applications where linearity is important.
Better still - get an active speaker and get rid of the crossover capacitor non-linearity and power losses too. A passive crossover is a bad idea unless you don't mind the power losses and distortion that it introduces.