What Do First Order, Second Order, and Third Order Crossovers Mean?

When we talk about the “order” of a crossover, we are describing how quickly the speaker reduces sound outside the driver’s intended range. Higher orders mean steeper rolloff and more control.

Understanding Crossover Orders

Each order adds 6 dB per octave of attenuation:
    •    First order: 6 dB per octave
    •    Second order: 12 dB per octave
    •    Third order: 18 dB per octave
    •    Fourth order: 24 dB per octave

The Takeaway

Different crossover orders serve different purposes. Lower orders allow a more natural blend between drivers, while higher orders provide better control and protect drivers from playing frequencies they are not designed to handle.

There is no single “best” order. Different drivers, cabinet designs, and performance goals require different crossover slopes, and the right choice depends on how each driver behaves and how they must work together in the speaker.

Well engineered speakers use the crossover order that best matches the drivers and the intended application to achieve accurate, balanced, and low distortion performance.