Subwoofer Crossover Frequency Settings Explained

When setting up your audio system, selecting the right crossover frequency is crucial for achieving the best balance and clarity in your sound. The crossover frequency determines at which point your subwoofer takes over reproducing the lower frequencies from your main speakers.

Here's why you'd choose each common setting:

🔊 40Hz:

• When to Use:
  Use 40Hz if you have large, high-quality floor-standing or full-range speakers capable of delivering deep bass already.

• Why:
  At 40Hz, your main speakers handle most of the bass, with the subwoofer only adding impact in the very lowest frequencies that most speakers can’t effectively reproduce. This ensures natural, smooth integration without overpowering the existing bass.

🔊 80Hz (Recommended Standard):

• When to Use:
  Ideal for typical home theatre and music setups with bookshelf or compact speakers, or medium-sized floor-standing speakers.

• Why:
  This frequency is widely recommended because most small-to-medium speakers begin to roll off around 80Hz. Setting your subwoofer here allows it to seamlessly pick up the low-end duties, providing a fuller soundstage, more impactful bass, and overall balanced audio performance.

🔊 100Hz:

• When to Use:
  Best suited for smaller satellite or very compact bookshelf speakers that have limited low-frequency capability.

• Why:
  Smaller speakers typically struggle below 100Hz. Setting the crossover at 100Hz relieves these speakers of low-frequency tasks, reduces distortion, and ensures clearer midrange performance. The subwoofer fills in effectively, providing solid bass without muddying the mids.

🔊 Flat (No Crossover):

• When to Use:
  Used mostly in scenarios with professional audio setups, sound reinforcement, or specialised calibration where external audio processors or amplifiers handle crossover duties.

• Why:
  The Flat setting disables the internal crossover, sending the entire low-frequency range to the subwoofer. This option is valuable if you're using an external digital signal processor (DSP) or AV receiver to manage crossover points precisely. It gives audio professionals complete flexibility to tune systems accurately to the acoustics of their environment.

Quick Reference:

• 40Hz: Large, bass-capable main speakers.

• 80Hz: Standard home-theatre/music setups. (Recommended)

• 100Hz: Smaller bookshelf/satellite speakers.

• Flat: External audio management or professional setups.