Any full-range loudspeaker must employ more than one driver in order to successfully reproduce full audio spectrum. That is because any one driver can not reproduce the full audio spectrum due to the laws of physics. Crossovers are necessary in order to split full audio spectrum into smaller spectrums and divert them to various loudspeaker drivers that are specially designed to most accurately reproduce one particular sound spectrum. However, as crossovers are physical elements in the signal path, they do affect the sound. Passing very low voltage and virtually no current through the crossover can minimize this sound degrading effect of the crossover. That draws a conclusion that crossovers can not be used between power amplifiers and loudspeaker drivers due to large currents present there. A better location is between preamplifier and power amplifier, where currents are negligible. That would require one power amplifier for each loudspeaker driver, which is obviously an expensive concept.
The other problem with passive crossovers is that loudspeaker drivers present a load that varies with frequency, which makes a passive crossover a very complex design and unlikely audio success.
Dana Electro Acoustics Active Crossovers provide the audio performance of the highest level, outperforming any passive design.
The advantages of employing an active crossover and one power amplifier for each driver within Dana Electro Acoustics Active loudspeaker are numerous. Some are:
* lower distortions,
* direct control of the loudspeakers
* signal path is unobstructed - short cable and nothing else is between power amplifier and the loudspeaker
* increased dynamic range
* improved transient performance, and others.
All these benefits combine in a better, more accurate and natural sound reproduction that is well worth the extra cost.
Foundation #5: Active crossover employed before power amplifiers can minimize crossover effect on sound; consequently each driver within a loudspeaker cabinet must be powered by a separate power amplifier.