Phasing

Author: N.H. Crowhurst

An important aspect of connecting these networks is called phasing. At the one frequency - crossover point - both loudspeaker units are delivering about an equal amount of the total sound energy. It is important that both diaphragms should "push" and "pull" together in phase. If one speaker pushes when the other pulls, and vice versa, they are said to be out of phase.

The importance of phasing

When the units work correctly (in phase), the combined sound wave builds up into the same kind as would be produced by one big loudspeaker unit* When they are out of phase, however, the motion of the air particles is crossways. This makes quite an unnatural kind of sound, and the realism of the reproduction is destroyed. For this reason care should be taken to connect the units so that they are in phase.