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X•over Pro Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 08-Aug-15
 

What kind of computer do you recommend for X•over Pro?  Ideally, we recommend a full-featured PC that runs Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, 8*, 7, Vista or XP very well. This is usually a computer with a "snappy" processor and plenty of memory (RAM) and hard disk space. We recommend at least 2 GBytes of memory. For desktop systems we recommend a minimum monitor size of 17 inches and a graphics display resolution of 1024x768 pixels or higher. For notebook systems we recommend a minimum display size of 13 inches and a graphics resolution of 1024x768 pixels. This is because X•over Pro allows many interactive windows to be opened at the same time and a small display size will limit how much of each window will be visible. We also recommend that the graphics display have a color depth of 16 bits (thousands of colors) or higher (24 to 32 bits or millions of colors is best). A good color depth provides the most attractive appearance for the program and enables better color support for the plot lines in the graphs.

*Windows RT, the tablet version of Windows 8.x, is not supported.

Is a network version of X•over Pro available?  No. X•over Pro is only available as a single-user program and we offer only single-user licenses. The program should not be installed on a network application server. We offer discounts to customers requiring multiple copies.

What is the design philosophy of X•over Pro?  Generally speaking, there are two broad approaches to passive crossover network design: 1) Measure the amplitude response and impedance response of each driver and, using an optimizer, design crossover filters that produce desired net response curves. 2) Where necessary, use impedance equalization networks to flatten the impedance response of the drivers then use traditional filter algorithms to design crossover filters. In an effort to provide a low-cost design solution, X•over Pro offers the second approach with an important addition: using the Thiele-Small model X•over Pro can plot the speaker system response of the drivers, box and crossover filters. This enables the user to manually optimize or adjust individual component values, when necessary, to produced high-quality results similar to the first approach. However there are tradeoffs—while the first approach often produces networks with fewer components, it requires that each driver be measured. The second approach can produce very good results without expensive measurement systems but it also tends to produce networks with more components since impedance equalization is often included.

Can X•over Pro produce a schematic?  Yes. X•over Pro includes a large schematic in the main window and the schematic can be printed or copied to the Windows clipboard.

Can X•over Pro produce a circuit board layout?  No. X•over Pro is not a printed circuit board (PCB) designer. However, it does produce a schematic of the crossover network.

Can X•over Pro design an active crossover network?  No. X•over Pro designs only passive networks.

Can X•over Pro design a series crossover network?  No. X•over Pro designs only crossover networks with a parallel topology. A parallel topology is generally considered the best because it offers the best isolation between each of the filters that comprise the crossover network and because it allows each driver to be treated independently. Series and series-parallel topologies are not very common and are not supported.

Can a user make changes to the driver database?  Yes. The driver database is fully editable by the user. Drivers and companies can be added, edited or deleted.

Does X•over Pro require the impedance response of the drivers?  No. At its most basic level, X•over Pro calculates crossover network component values using just the voice coil DC resistance (Re) or, if Re is unavailable, the voice coil nominal impedance (Z) of each driver. The driver impedance response (impedance versus frequency) cannot be entered. However, X•over Pro's capabilities scale upward if more information is available. For example, full Thiele-Small parameters enable the program to design impedance equalization networks and plot the system response in the graphs. The driver Thiele-Small parameters are used to internally model their complex impedance (both magnitude and phase).

Does X•over Pro include an optimizer?  No. X•over Pro does not presently include an optimizer. However, with its four performance graphs and capability for the user to change the value of any component, it is possible for the user to manually optimize a network.

Can X•over Pro design a Zobel network?  Yes. X•over Pro refers to Zobel networks as "impedance equalization networks" and several different types are available. One equalizes only the reactive rise of the voice coil. Another one equalizes both the voice coil reactive rise and a system resonance peak (this can be the driver free-air resonance peak or the resonance peak of a closed box system). Another one equalizes the voice coil reactive rise and the two resonance peaks of a driver in a vented box.

When designing an impedance equalization network, will X•over Pro account for the actual system resonance peak(s) rather than the free-air resonance peak?  Yes. Three ways are provided to handle impedance peaks. 1) X•over Pro can deal with a single free-air resonance peak. 2) X•over Pro can deal with the system resonance peak of a closed box system. 3) X•over Pro can deal with the two system resonance peaks of a vented box system. Also, X•over Pro can ignore the resonance peaks and deal with just the inductive reactance rise of the voice coil.

Does the driver database include tweeters?  Yes. All drivers in the database are divided into one of two groups: "open back" drivers and "sealed back" drivers. Tweeters and smaller midrange drivers have sealed backs. Unfortunately many manufacturers do not provide enough information (Thiele-Small parameters) for their tweeters to be included in the database and so there are many more open back drivers (like woofers) in the database than sealed back drivers (like tweeters). Also, since X•over Pro uses the Thiele-Small model, it expects all drivers to be the moving coil piston type. This means that some types of tweeters and high-frequency drivers will not have Thiele-Small parameters such as electrostatic or planar tweeters and compression drivers. In the former case, most electrostatic and planar tweeters can still work with the model because they have an essentially flat impedance response that can be easily simulated with appropriate Thiele-Small parameters. The driver database includes a few of these type drivers. But compression drivers rarely work with the program because they often have a complex impedance response with multiple nonsymmetrical resonance peaks that makes them impossible to model with Thiele-Small parameters. X•over Pro includes tools to help you estimate some of the Thiele-Small parameters of a sealed back driver from an impedance graph.

Can X•over Pro design a notch filter?  Yes. X•over Pro includes a special notch filter design tool which can design both series and parallel notch filters. However, this tool is separate from the main program and the filters it designs are not included in the schematics or graphs.

Does X•over Pro restrict the spread between three-way crossover frequencies?  No. X•over Pro allows any spread between the crossover frequencies. In addition, the user can set the frequency of each filter in a crossover network separately.

Does X•over Pro allow the user to mix filter types in a crossover network?  Yes. X•over Pro allows each filter to be set separately. For example, a two-way crossover network could have a 2nd-order Butterworth low-pass filter, a 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley high-pass filter. A three-way crossover network could have a 2nd-order APC low-pass filter, a 4th-order CPC band-pass filter and a 3rd-order APC high-pass filter.

Will Harris Tech add my drivers to the database?  Yes. We are always eager to add additional drivers to the driver database for the benefit of all our customers. To have us add your drivers, send us the full Thiele-Small parameters for them. Also include descriptive information and dimensions.

Can X•over Pro model a complete multi-way loudspeaker system?  Yes. X•over Pro can display the net response of a two-way or three-way system. All relevant box parameters can be imported into it from a BassBox 6 Pro, BassBox 6 Lite or Eminence Designer 1 design. When this is done, the graphs in X•over Pro will show the full system response of a box, a woofer, a midrange driver and a tweeter. Note: There is a discount when BassBox Pro and X•over Pro are purchased together.

Does X•over Pro include the box response in the graphs?  Yes. X•over Pro always displays the system response in all of the graphs (including the phase and group delay graphs). This means, the box is included in the response whenever the box parameters have been entered (or imported from BassBox 6 Pro, BassBox 6 Lite or Eminence Designer 1). If the box parameters are not entered, X•over Pro assumes that the open-back drivers are mounted on an infinite baffle.

What third-party measurement systems are supported by X•over Pro?  X•over Pro can import frequency-domain acoustic data from the following measurement systems: B&K, CLIO, IMP, LMS, JBL/SIA Smaart, MLSSA, Sample Champion and TEF 20. The acoustic data must be normalized to the predicted Thiele-Small response and X•over Pro includes tools to assist with this. The final normalized response is used to enhance the accuracy of the amplitude response graph. We plan to add additional import capability in the future. Note: If you would like us to add this capability for a specific system, please submit details of the files used and samples. X•over Pro cannot import phase or impedance data.

Is X•over Pro available on diskettes?  No. It is only available on CD and we use CD-R discs because we print and record them ourselves. CD-R discs do not last as long as commercial CDs which are stamped so you should make a backup copy.

Is there a 64-bit version of X•over Pro?  No. X•over Pro is only available as a 32-bit application. However, we've tested it under 64-bit versions of Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Vista and have found no problems. Note: X•over Pro is not compatible with Windows RT, the tablet version of Windows 8.x.

Is there a Mac version of X•over Pro?  No. We presently develop software only for the Microsoft Windows environment. To run X•over Pro on a Mac, you will need to do so under a PC emulator (like Apple's BootCamp) running a licensed copy of Microsoft Windows.

 

how to purchase X•over Pro is available from one of our distributors or directly from us. Click the purchase button above for information, including special package deals.

support policy Technical support is provided for one year to users who have purchased a software license and registered their license with us. Our preferred method of support is email. For more information, visit our Support page.

X•over update Latest X•over Pro maintenance release:
  3.0.18  10-Nov-2013.

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