How do crossovers work?

packetjones

I am still learning about all things audio and I do not understand how to determine what the crossover specs mean. I know how they work in sub-woofers so I assume they are pretty similar in speakers as well. I have read about modding the crossovers in the LSI and SDA speakers and assume they just make them sound better, but dont understand how.

I have the RTiA5's. here is the crossover information for them. 2.2kHz, 12dB/Oct Low Pass, 18dB/Octave High Pass. What does this mean exactly. Is it the crossover from the tweeter to the woofers. If someone could explain this in easy terms I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

FTGV

This covers the topic nicely.http://sound.westhost.com/lr-passive.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_crossover

FTGV

Put simply the crossover in your RTi's is basically a filter set at 2.2k.The filter on the woofer is called low pass because it passes frequencies below 2.2k unattenuated but frequencies above 2.2k will be attenuated at a rate of 12 db per octave.
The opposite is true for the tweeters filter.It is called a high pass as it leaves frequencuies above 2.2k unattenuated but below that point attenuation happens at a rate of 18db per octave.