It has come to my attention that not everyone in the world can read a filter network schematic as easily as a newspaper

and some have some difficulties visualizing the schematic as components physically laid out on a board. The following is a

discussion of a method that I hope will dispel most of the mystery, and provide a means to easily build crossover networks

from a schematic. The method is not new, as I pirated the concept from electrical nodal analysis. For crossover network

purposes, a node is a point where the various crossover components, drivers, and sources are connected, ie. Soldered

together.



Looking at the schematic below, the most obvious example of a node is the 'ground' or the input that is attached to the

negative output of the amplifier. This output from the amplifier is attached to one lead of C1021, one lead of C1041, and

both negative tabs on the woofers. I have arbitrarily designated this node '0'. I have placed a 0 next to each connection

between another component and the source ground. Counting the 0's indicates we will have five connections (counting the

wiring) at this node.



NODAL ANALYSIS



CORRECTLY TRANSLATING CROSSOVER NETWORK SCHEMATICS FROM GREEK TO REALITY



The + output from the amplifier only goes to L1011, so at node 1 there is only 2 connections: the wire and one end of

L1011. Node 2 has the other lead from L1011, the other lead from C1021, and one lead from L1031 for a total of three.

Likewise, node 3 has 4 connections, and node 4 has only 2.



Now refer to the crossover pictorial. Circles where the wiring or components are connected together designate the nodes. I

generally start with the + input and lay out my components such that all the nodes have the proper number of connections.

By counting the number of connections, you also have a double check as to the accuracy of your layout.

