Alma - High Performance Crossovers

High Performances Crossovers for Professional Loudspeaker Systems and their Real World applications
By Mario Di Cola, Audio Labs Systems, Milano, Italia

Senior Loudspeaker System Engineer mdicola@lisasystem.com
ALMA European Symposium, Frankfurt, April 2009
Derived by the AES Paper Presented by M. Di Cola, M. Hadelich, D. Ponteggia and D. Saronni at 121st AES Convention, October 2006, San Francisco, USA
High Performances Crossover for Professional Loudspeakers, ALMA Symposium, Frankfurt 2009 - Mario Di Cola, Audio Labs Systems, Milano, Italy
Multi way systems
Almost the totality of Sound Reinforcement Loudspeaker Systems are multi way systems
For several reasons one single transducer cannot reproduce the entire Audio Bandwidth
The way the crossover is made is deeply influencing the final performances of the Loudspeaker System
Why a system need to be multi-way? How the cross-over should be designed?
Why a system need to be multi-way? How the cross-over should be designed?

Low-Mid Cone High Frequency Driver
Subwoofer
High Frequency Driver
Subwoofer
Low-Mid Cone
One simple question:
What happens to the signal passing through a Crossover Filter?
Sine wave through a Linear System
Transfer Function
Input Linear System
Output
time
Sine wave through a Linear System
Transfer Function
Input
Linear System
Output
Sine wave through a Linear System: effect of Phase Shift in Filters

Input Linear System Output
Example 1: Frequency inside the Pass-Band

Example 2: Frequency close to the cut frequency

Example 2: Frequency outside the Pass-Band
Desired Target Response at any crossover point: a simple example of a optimal summation between 2 perfectly symmetrical responses of 4th Order (24dB/Oct), Linkwitz-Riley
How the Crossover Approach can affect the Loudspeaker Time Alignment?
Wavelet Analysis Diagram
HF Arrival
Crossover Point
Frequency
LF Energy Arrival
Time
A simple symmetric Crossover:

2nd Order, L-R Type
Low Pass Filter
A simple symmetric Crossover:

2nd Order, L-R Type
High Pass Filter
4th Order L-R Symmetric Crossover
2nd Order
2nd Order
2nd Order
2nd Order
High Pass Filter

+ 180 deg
Low Pass Filter

- 180 deg

Overall Phase Relationship between the two outputs could be more clear using a +360 -360 phase diagram
+ 360 deg
High Pass Filter
Low Pass Filter

- 360 deg
Drivers Time alignment in different Crossover Design strategies applied to a sample 2 way system
All-Pass Network Crossover
(Only geometric Issues are taken in count while Time Aligning the drivers and then Phase Alignment is usually obtained delaying the woofer )
Actual Position: effect of Low Pass Group Delay Added to the driver delay Desired Time Origin
Delaying the Closer Speaker
Delay Compensated Crossover:
(LP Filter Group Delay is taken in count in Drivers Time Alignment)
Type 1
Typically smaller delay, but HF Polarity
reversed
Effect of Desired Filter Group Delay Time Origin
Delay Compensated Crossover:
(LP Filter Group Delay is taken in count in Drivers Time Alignment)
Type 2
Typically larger delay, with HF in straight
Polarity
Effect of Desired Filter Group Delay Time Origin
Linear Phase Filters Crossover
(Only geometric Issues need to be taken in count while Time Aligning the drivers since Group Delay remains constant at any frequency)
Delaying the Closer Speaker Desired Time Origin
Crossover Techniques comparison
A quick review on relationship between Time Response and Transfer Function
Analysis of practical application of different crossover strategies to the sample 2-way loudspeaker system
Ideal System Step Response and Relative Transfer Function: A Minimum Phase System
4th Order Butterworth High Pass (24dB/Oct) Response. Step Response and Relative Transfer Function: Still a Minimum Phase System
Typical Response for a Bass Reflex aligned loudspeaker
6th Order Butterworth High Pass (36dB/Oct) Response. Step Response and Relative Transfer Function: Still a Minimum Phase System
Typical Response for a High Pass Filtered Bass Reflex loudspeaker
Loudspeaker System Used for the Setup
A simple 2-way Professional Loudspeaker System
Example 1: All-Pass Network Crossover
Step Response
Square Wave Response
Example 1: All-Pass Network Crossover
Step Response
Wavelet Analysis
Example 1: All Pass Network Crossover
[deg] Angle
Vertical Polar Directivity Map
[dB ] Level 0
90
75
60 -5
45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
-45 -20
-60
-75
-25 1k 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [H z]
-90
500
6th Order Butterworth High Pass (36dB/Oct) Response. Step Response and Relative Transfer Function: NOT a Minimum Phase System
Step Response of different order Comparison

Ideal System Step Response
4th Order HP Minimum Phase System
6th Order HP Minimum Phase System High Performances Crossover for Professional Loudspeakers, ALMA Symposium, Frankfurt 2009 - Mario Di Cola,
6th Order HP All Pass Network System: Non Minimum Phase
Audio Labs Systems, Milano, Italy
Example 2: Delay Compensated Type 1
Step Response
Step Response
Wavelet Analysis
[deg] Angle
[dB] Level 0
90
75
60 -5
45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
-45 -20
-60
-75
-90
500
Step Response
Step Response
Wavelet Analysis
[deg] Angle
[dB ] Level 0
90
75
60 -5
45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
-45 -20
-60
-75
-90
500
Example 4: Linear Phase Filters
Step Response
Step Response
Wavelet Analysis
[deg] Angle
[dB] Level 0
90
75
60 -5
45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
-45 -20
-60
-75
-25 1k 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [Hz]
-90
500
Transfer Functions Comparison
All Pass Network Delay Compensated Type 2
Delay Compensated Type 1
Linear Phase Filters 24dB/Oct approx.
Crossover Comparison
[deg] Angle 90 0 [dB ] Level 75 60 -5 45 30 15 -10 0 -15 -15 -30
ALL PASS
-20 -25 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [Hz]
-45
-60
-75
-90 500 1k 2k
[deg] Angle 90
[dB ] Level 0
75
60 -5 45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
DLY Type1
-20 -25 1k 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [Hz]
-45
-60
-75
-90 500
[deg] Angle 90
[dB ] Level 0
75
60 -5 45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
DLY Type2
-45 -20 -60 -75 -90 500 1k 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [Hz] -25
[deg] Angle 90
[dB ] Level 0
75
60 -5 45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
LIN PHASE
-45 -20 -60 -75 -90 500 1k 2k 5k Level M arker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [H z] -25
Further Improvements
Performaces of the Linear Phase Filter processed version can be further improved in terms of vertical directivity control
Steeper filter functions, in fact, can be introduced without additional phase distortion
Additional advantages in terms of Power handling and reduced Distortion can be introduced by steeper crossover filters
Linear Phase Filters 24dB/Oct

[deg] Angle
Vertical Polar Direcivity Map
Wavelet Analysis
[dB] Level 0
90
75
60 -5
45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
-45 -20
-60
-75
-25 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [Hz]
-90
500
1k
Linear Phase Filters 74dB/Oct

[deg] Angle
Vertical Polar Direcivity Map
Wavelet Analysis
[dB] Level 0
90
75
60 -5
45
30
15
-10
-15
-15
-30
-45 -20
-60
-75
-25 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [Hz]
-90
500
1k
Example of practical measurements
Practical, real world transfer function measurements using a dedicated Dual Channel, FFT Analyzer
Comparison between All-Pass Network and Linear Phase Filters settings: Magnitude and Phase Response
All-Pass Network
Linear Phase Network
All-Pass Network Crossover settings: Magnitude and Phase Response showing each individual speaker contribution
High Freq. Contribution
Low Freq. Contribution
Linear Phase Filters Crossover settings: Magnitude and Phase Response showing each individual speaker contribution
High Freq. Contribution
Low Freq. Contribution
Magnitude and Phase response comparison Between: Delay Compensated Type 1, Type 2 and Linear Phase Filters
Linear Phase Filters
Delay Compensated Type 1 Delay Compensated Type 2
An example of how Delay Compensated Techniques can be adopted in order to match a Low Frequency extending unit to a Linear Phase Filters processed system
Upper Band Response
Subwoofer Response
An example of how Delay Compensated Techniques can be adopted in order to match a Low Frequency extending unit to a Linear Phase Filters processed system
Reduced Phase Shift Subwoofer Plus upper system Crossover point
A simple direct advantage of minimizing overall phase shift
An All-Pass Crossover 2 way speaker
Images taken from the AES Paper Written by Justin Baird and David McGrath about Linear Phase Filters advantages
An All-Pass Crossover 3 way speaker
Effect of summation of the two speaker in the overlapping area
Example of application of Linear Phase filters to an existing system.
Example of application of Linear Phase filters to an existing system
LF HF
MF
MF
LF
Schematic view of the existing 3 way system used for the practical application
3 Way System Processing Comparison
Original Preset Processing
Linear Phase Filters Processing
3 Way System Processing Comparison
Additional Test Results

Step Response
Step Response
Horizontal Polar Direcivity Map
Horizontal Polar Direcivity Map
Results
Some advantages can be achieved while processing loudspeaker systems with Linear Phase Filters
Reducing the overall phase shift of a loudspeaker system response can result in better sound quality due to improved time coherence
It was found that good and encouraging results can be obtained applying this technique to Concert Sound Reinforcement Systems: better array-ability properties and directivity control can be achieved beside improved sound quality
Linear Phase Crossover is presently something readily available for anybody. By the way transforming Classic Filters based Crossover into a Linear Phase Crossover requires some accurate measurement and some careful attention, in order to be properly done
An Example on Phase Response Linearization of an All Pass Network System
Magnitude and Phase response of an All-Pass Crossover Loudspeaker System
Magnitude and Phase response of an All-Pass Crossover Loudspeaker System Compared to a model of a Minimum Phase System
Minimum Phase Response
The Phase Shift at 1.4kHz could be approximated with a model of an All-Pass Filter
Model of the 1.4kHz All-Pass Component
Model of the 1.4kHz All-Pass Component
The 1.4 kHz All-Pass Filter could be inverted via an FIR Inverse Filter
Model of the 1.4kHz Inverted All-Pass Component
The result of the application of the inverse filter to approximate a Minimum Phase Response
All-Pass Compensated Phase Response
Further improvement of the Minimum Phase Response approximation is possible improving The LF part of the inverse filter
Non Minimum Phase-Shift at LF
Final Result of the Improved Phase Response Compensation with the inverse filter
Added LF Phase Shift Compensation
Implementation of a Delay Compensated Crossover Type via Passive Filter
Passive Filter Delay Compensated System
Total Magnitude, Single Contributions Magnitude and Phase Response Passive Filter + Input EQ Combination
Phase Match around Crossover Region

STEP RESPONSE
Beamwidth, Directivity Index and Polar Maps of Both Planes
Thank You

Alma - High Performance Crossovers

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High Performances Crossovers for Professional Loudspeaker Systems and their Real World applications

By Mario Di Cola, Audio Labs Systems, Milano, Italia

ALMA European Symposium, Frankfurt, April 2009

Multi way systems

Why a system need to be multi-way? How the cross-over should be designed?

Why a system need to be multi-way? How the cross-over should be designed?

High Frequency Driver

One simple question:

What happens to the signal passing through a Crossover Filter?

Sine wave through a Linear System

Input Linear System

Sine wave through a Linear System

Sine wave through a Linear System: effect of Phase Shift in Filters

Example 1: Frequency inside the Pass-Band

Sine wave through a Linear System: effect of Phase Shift in Filters

Example 2: Frequency close to the cut frequency

Sine wave through a Linear System: effect of Phase Shift in Filters

Example 2: Frequency outside the Pass-Band

Sine wave through a Linear System: effect of Phase Shift in Filters

Wavelet Analysis Diagram

A simple symmetric Crossover:

Low Pass Filter

A simple symmetric Crossover:

High Pass Filter

4th Order L-R Symmetric Crossover

4th Order L-R Symmetric Crossover

High Pass Filter

Low Pass Filter

4th Order L-R Symmetric Crossover

High Pass Filter

Low Pass Filter

All-Pass Network Crossover

Delaying the Closer Speaker

Delay Compensated Crossover:

(LP Filter Group Delay is taken in count in Drivers Time Alignment)

Effect of Desired Filter Group Delay Time Origin

Delay Compensated Crossover:

(LP Filter Group Delay is taken in count in Drivers Time Alignment)

Typically larger delay, with HF in straight

Effect of Desired Filter Group Delay Time Origin

Linear Phase Filters Crossover

Delaying the Closer Speaker Desired Time Origin

Crossover Techniques comparison

A quick review on relationship between Time Response and Transfer Function

Typical Response for a Bass Reflex aligned loudspeaker

Typical Response for a High Pass Filtered Bass Reflex loudspeaker

Loudspeaker System Used for the Setup

A simple 2-way Professional Loudspeaker System

Example 1: All-Pass Network Crossover

Square Wave Response

Example 1: All-Pass Network Crossover

Example 1: All Pass Network Crossover

Vertical Polar Directivity Map

-25 1k 2k 5k Level Marker: z= -6 dB 10k Frequency [H z]

Step Response of different order Comparison

4th Order HP Minimum Phase System

6th Order HP All Pass Network System: Non Minimum Phase

Audio Labs Systems, Milano, Italy

Example 2: Delay Compensated Type 1

Square Wave Response

Example 2: Delay Compensated Type 1

Example 2: Delay Compensated Type 1

Vertical Polar Directivity Map