A frequency switch is a device whose function is to divide an audio signal into several frequency bands and send each band to the appropriate speaker. In a car, a set of speakers is usually used that includes at least one larger, mid-bass speaker for the deep and mid-tones, and one smaller, tweeter speaker for the high tones. Each of these speakers is designed to optimally reproduce only a certain part of the sound spectrum. If a deep bass signal were sent to the small tweeter, it could become damaged or play very distorted. Conversely, a large mid-bass driver cannot play the highest frequencies effectively and cleanly. The excursion acts as a "filter" that separates the high frequencies from the complete music signal and sends them to the tweeter, while directing the rest of the signal, the mid and low frequencies, to the mid-bass speaker. This ensures that each speaker operates only with the frequencies for which it was designed, resulting in cleaner sound and protecting the speakers from damage. This is most often a small box that is included with component speakers.