Inna,
I’m assuming you are discussing having a passive crossover, that is outside of the speaker cabinet, right?
There are no disadvantages at all, but several possible advantages. I should point out there’s a hybrid approach. In this, there is a separate enclosure just for the crossover components but the enclosure itself appears part of the speaker. I personally like this solution the best.
Advantages include:
- Reduced effects of microphonic interactions with the speaker or the amp
- More physical space is available for the crossover, allowing for the use of massive coils and caps which may not have fit otherwise
- Less space is needed for the speaker cabinet
- Better crossover cooling, which keeps the crossover’s behavior stable
- Since the heat generated by the crossover stays outside the cabinet, the temperature inside the cabinet are reduced which keeps the drivers cooler and are therefore less prone to thermal compression
If you were talking about active vs. passive, it’s more complicated. :)
Best,
Erik
