Guevara, Ram

Mariano, Mark
Santos, Marvin
Uy, Jeckson BROADLA – EM1

Experiment No. 3
Crossover Frequency and Directivity of Speaker
I. Objectives:

• To be able to identify the crossover frequencies of various capacitance-speaker

and inductance-speaker combinations
• To measure the relative sound pressure level as the crossover frequency is reached
• To be able to measure the voltage reading at different positions

II. Introductory information

There are (3) types of speakers: (1) tweeter, (2) the midrange or squawker, and (3)
the woofer. Each type has a different frequency range of operation. To maximize the
performance and achieve higher fidelity, crossover networks are used.

A crossover network is a circuit which usually employs capacitors, coils or

capacitor-coil combination which feeds a specified low frequency range to a woofer, a
specified mid-frequency range to a squawker and another set of specified high frequency
range to a tweeter. Crossover network is composed of filters used to separate the low,
mid, and high frequencies.

The network is required to protect the speakers against frequencies. The simplest
crossover network will be used in the experiment. The low pass filter will use an inductor
connected in series with the speaker, while the high pass filter will use a capacitor in
series with the speakers. The values of the inductors and capacitors will determine the
crossover frequencies.

The crossover or cut-off frequency, fc can be computed as:

1
fc = For RC filters
2πRC

1 For RL filters
fc =
2πL

Another characteristic of a speaker in directivity. Directivity is the variation of

the force field response with the angle of incidence. This is the pressure response field
existing prior to placement.
III. Materials and Equipment to be used

• Sound level meter set

• Meter stick
• Speaker
• Power amplifier
• Audio Generator
• Oscilloscope
• Capacitor (0.1uF, 1.0uF, 10uF)
• Inductors (5mH, 10mH)

IV. Procedure

A. Crossover Frequency

1. Connect the audio generator to the input of the amplifier and the speaker to
the output of the amplifier, as seen in the figure. Position the sound level
meter, 5 feet away from the speaker.
2. Set the sound level meter knob to A. Measure the ambient sound level with
the speakers OFF.
Ambient Sound Level = 60 dB

3. Measure the response of the speaker set at a constant volume of 5 and varying
frequency. Record the values in the table.
Sound Level Meter Reading
Frequency (Hz) w/o C 0.1uF 1.0uF 10uF 5mH 10mH
500 71.5 65.1 68.5 70.1 70.2 68.5
1400 76 71.3 75.4 78.4 79 74.7
2400 73.5 69.5 70.9 74 70.4 68.3
3300 72.4 66.7 70.6 68.9 75.2 62.9
4300 71.6 69.2 70.5 70.4 74.1 66.3
5200 64.9 62.4 62.7 65.3 64.5 61.8
6200 62.8 61.4 62.3 64 62.5 60.1
7100 65.1 62.5 64.4 65.5 64.8 60
8100 58.3 58.3 58.3 57.7 58 57.5
9000 58.3 57.3 57.3 57.5 57.4 57.2
10000 58.3 57.5 57.7 57.5 57.7 56.5
 Observe the sudden change in the amplitude of the output signal. At what
frequency range is the signal distorted?

- It is expected to have a sudden change in the amplitude of the signal at

frequencies from 31 Hz to 2 kHz because this is range where the filters are out
of range. It is the range of transition from

4. Connect a 0.1uF capacitor in series with the positive (+) lead if the wire if the
speaker and repeat step 3.
5. Replace the 0.1uF capacitor by the 1.0uF capacitor and repeat step 3.
6. Replace the 1.0uF capacitor by the 10uF capacitor and repeat step 3.
7. Plot the obtained data for each value of capacitance used.

90
80
w/o C
70
Sound Level

60 0.1uF
50 1.0uF
40 10uF
30 5mH
20
10 10mH
0
0

0
0

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00
50

00
0
14

24

33

43

52

62

71

81

90

8. C
10

Frequency o
n
nect a 5mH inductor in series with the positive (+) lead of the wire if the
speakers and repeat step 3.
9. Replace the 5mH inductor by 10mH and repeat step 3.
10. Plot the obtained data for each value of inductor used.
11. What is the effect of the capacitors and inductors on the crossover
frequencies?

Inductors and capacitors are used as a filter in segregating high from

low frequencies. Changing the value of the capacitors and inductors will also
change the value of the cut-off or crossover frequency following the formula:
1 1
fc = fc =
2πL 2πRC

12. What are the crossover frequencies?

Component Value Fc (Hz)

0.1uF 198,943.67
1.0uF 19,894.36
10uF 1989.4
5mH 31.831
10mH 15.915
B. Directivity of Speakers

13. Using the circuit shown below set the frequency to 1 kHz and the volume to 5.
14. Rotate the sound level meter around the speaker at a fixed distance and take
readings. Perform readings at 30 degrees interval.

Table III.B
Interval (degrees) Sound Level Reading
0 78
30 74.2
60 71
90 68.7
120 64.1
150 68.7
180 69.2
210 70.3
240 67.2
270 70.4
300 73.4
330 67.7

15. Plot the curve for the directivity pattern.

0
80
330 30
60
300 40 60
20
270 0 90 Series1

240 120

210 150
180

16. What were your observations on the levels around the speakers?

- The data we gathered are somewhat erroneous because almost at all

directions, they seem to produce the same sound level, unless the speaker we had
is an omni directional speaker. From the room setting itself, it is not fit for testing.
The room is small and crowded making it even more difficult to perform the said
experiment. From the physical topology of the speaker, it is noticed that it is a uni
directional speaker with its focus on the 0 degree angle.
V. Guide Questions

1. What are crossover frequencies?

It is the audio frequency at which equal power is delivered to each of the channels
or speakers. It is the single frequency at which both sides of a crossover network are
down 3dB.

2. Define directivity. What are the different directional pattern?

Directivity is a quantitative measure of the focusing of acoustic energy.

• Cardioid or uni-directional - having greatest sensitivity at the front, only

partially at the sides, and little at the back.
• Bi-directional or figure-of-eight - having greatest sensitivity at front and
back, but little at the sides, usually used for interviews.
• Omni-directional - sensitivity about equal in all directions.
• Shotgun - highly focused or 'pointed' sensitivity in one direction only.

3. What are the critical specifications in choosing speakers?

Always take note of the speaker that will be used, whether it is a tweeter, a
squawker or a woofer. Each of these three speakers performs different function in a
sound system setup. A tweeter is a kind of speaker that is mostly high-frequency, so it
would be expected that the sound that it will produce is full of treble. A squawker is a
typical speaker usually at mid-frequency range. On the other hand, a woofer is a low-
frequency speaker; therefore it is expected to hear a lot of base.
The directivity of the speaker should be known so that the best acoustic in a
room would be heard.

Analysis and Conclusion:

In this experiment we were able to analyze speakers, and categorize them in terms
of their function. We have analyzed tweeters and woofers. Tweeters actually operated in
high-frequency producing a lot of treble, while a woofer operates in low-frequency
producing a lot of base.
Also, we were able to determine the directivity of a speaker. It was quite a manual
but accurate method, using the sound level meter in different locations around the speaker
to determine its directivity.
One thing I noticed why this experiment is quite erroneous is that the working
environment is naturally noisy. A lot of people tend to roam around, close and open
doors, and chat with one another. That explains why some of the data we gathered are
somewhat awkward. But other than that, it’s all good. This experiment is somehow a
success because we were able to learn first hand how filters work to specify the functions
of a speaker.