Intermodulation distortion is a type of distortion that can occur in Hi-Fi speakers when multiple frequencies are played simultaneously.
When two or more frequencies are played at the same time, they can interact and create additional frequencies that were not present in the original signal. These new frequencies are called intermodulation products and can cause unwanted distortion in the sound.
Intermodulation distortion can occur in the speaker drivers, such as the woofer and tweeter, or in the crossover network that directs frequencies to the appropriate driver. It is often caused by the non-linear behavior of the speaker components or by the design of the crossover.
To reduce intermodulation distortion, it is important to choose high-quality speakers that are designed to minimize distortion. It is also important to use appropriate amplifiers that can provide enough power to drive the speakers without causing clipping or distortion.
Another way to reduce intermodulation distortion is to use crossover designs that are optimized for low distortion, like with our speakers. They use high-quality components and carefully selectted the crossover frequencies.
Espacially with small bookshelf type speakers it can be beneficial to take off the heavy bass load and route it to a subwoofer using an active crossover. With that you reduce those intermodulation distiortions dramatically and gain a much more clear and open sound.
In conclusion, intermodulation distortion is a common problem that can occur in Hi-Fi speakers when multiple frequencies are played simultaneously. However, it can be minimized by choosing high-quality speakers, amplifiers, and crossover designs that are optimized for low distortion, or use a subwoofer to relieve smaller speakers of heavy bass.