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Do most manu. buy or build their x-overs?

There is quite a bit of discussion concerning speaker driver manufacturers (scanspeak, vifa, morel, etc.) and who uses what. But in general I would say that drivers account for less than half of the overall performance of the speaker. The crossover is a HUGE factor, in many cases perhaps more important than the drivers themselves.
So, generally, do most manufacturers of high end speakers purchase their crossovers in the same manner? Or do they build them to suit the selected drivers?
If they are purchasing them, who are the big names? While I can name off a dozen driver manu. I can't think of one x-over manu., only a few designs named for their inventors (presumably).
jb3

Showing 2 responses by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
I recently bought a pair of speakers from Madisound (Odin model) for the rear channels of my system (where use of Maggies is just impossible). These speakers (a Kit) are offered with two crossovers, Standard, and Premium, with approporiately different price tags. I sprung for the "Premium" ones, and was so impressed that I modified my Maggies (but that is another story).

I wonder why other manufacturers do not offer two grades of crossover. It's a waste of money to pay for the standard crossover components, and then discard them when the crossover is upgraded. Also, with the manufacturer doing the design a tidy physical layout would be possible, rather than the "kluge" that is typical of most after market mods. With regard to pricing, if I were the manufacturer I would sell the premium crossover at cost, and derive my profits from increased volume of sales. If the usual markup were applied to audiophile grade crossover components, the price tag would be discouraging.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Warnerwh...Crossover design is important but you don't need to be a genius to do it. A couple of points.

1. It makes a lot of difference what kind of crossover you have in mind: 2-way/3-way, cossover slopes... A 2-way 6dB crossiver is not complicated.

2. There are computer programs that will give you a crossover design specific to your choice of drivers, and enclosure. You don't need to buy the software and/or computer, because Madisound will run this design program for you for a modest fee. You may want to tweek the design to suit your own tastes, based on listening, but the original design will be 95% there.
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