|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
98.223.15.64
In Reply to: RE: Capacitor Upgrade Suggestions for Crossovers posted by escape2cfc on December 23, 2014 at 18:25:17
BY FAR, the most important thing is to have the correct values and a topology which which corrects the horns response and limits it's low frequency response. Unfortunately, horn crossovers are the most difficult to design of all.
FAR down on the list in comparison, is what type of capacitor is used.
Capacitors do depart from theoretically perfect capacitors but if you use polypropylene caps for your mid and hf crossovers, these issues will be well below audibility, well above the range of your hearing.
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the reply! The Altec crossover was built by Bill @ Great Plains Audio. He manufactures the speaker and has been in the Altec business for a long time. The Khorn Universal Crossover by ALK is a long-term product specifically designed(for Khorn) to allow some flexibility on how different drivers integrate into the overall sound of the speakers (also room acoustics). I also have the Type A Klipsch crossover built by Crites. All commercially designed, all sound really good! My membership in the Asylum qualifies/requires me to keep experimenting and learning!
I am not cap knowledgeable so can only learn via practical experiences and reading. I read the Crites' basis for him using and selling Sonicaps in hos rebuild kits and crossovers. I also read other articles that in the beginning seemed to refute his contention but by the end seemed more like the writer supported his position. In the end I decided just to go with his rebuild kits for my HII. I figured he has a reputation to build and maintain and a business he seemingly wants to hand down through the generations plus he just loves the Klipsch and knows they can be much better than stock. The Sonicaps in my HIIs may or may not be the biggest improvement I am hearing as I also bought the titanium diaphragms for the tweeter. But the pair moved the sound quality way up the scale for me.
I also have a set of Wharfedsle W70s. They originally came with a single pio. One was open and the other way out of spec so I just replaced them with a poly I bought locally. Now I knew what these speakers are supposed to sound like as they were not uncommon in my area when new. Mine sounded like fingernails on a blackboard. Got a set of older pio caps and subbed them in and all is good and even better.
Most recently got a set of KLH Fives. The guy I got them from had replaced the caps. These were originally mine and the tweeters were not working. He did not like the results so I ended up with them back. After curing the problems he was finding, I hooked them up. Sadly, I did not look at the caps he used. I am having an integration problem with the midrange to woofer and tweeter. I know these speakers and something is not right. I emailed the guy and asked what he used cor caps and he replied he could not remember but think they were some stock Panasonics, nothing special. I suspect the caps are the culprit but, at this time do not have the energy to dig into them, again.
Caps matter, it seems. For now, the Sonicap based on the Crites' article and results seems like a good but not crazily expensive cap line. If I do open the Fives and replace the caps, I will likely use them.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada
Hi Brian, I appreciate your input and experiences! The Sonicaps Gen 1 appear in my ALK Universal and as you stated in the Crites Klipsch Crossovers and rebuild kits. I think they are a safe and very cost effective choice! In my case I am using the GPA 604's that are approx $900 each and capable of incredible resolution. Same goes for the BMS 2" Mid Drivers in my KHorns @ approx $650 per driver. I am looking to go a bit above and beyond on the crossover components in search of realizing some untapped potential in these particular drivers. I still plan on putting a modest limit on spending for each component. I have in the past purchased VCap Teflons and Mundorf Silver in Oil Caps for Tube Power amps. At this time I don't plan to approach their cost especially for the larger caps needed for the crossovers. I also plan to improve the wiring involved to the crossovers and connecting to the drivers themselves. Thanks for the info on your success using PIO in a speaker crossover!
I've owned my GPA 604 III's now for about 3yrs now. My suggestion to you is to put the 604's in a box or on a baffle, give yourself time to listen to them first.
The GPA Xover is a decent one, If I were to do any thing to the new Xovers would to replace the Ground wiring with a larger gauge Silver or Mil spec 12ga (Silver plated copper). Do the same for other connecting wiring
Then use a (2) 12ga Mil spec wires to each terminal of the woofer and A single 12ga Mil spec wiring to each terminal of the HF driver... Try that first.
You can always change to higher quality Caps later.
Willie
Hi Willie,I like the way you are thinking! And I appreciate it coming from an owner of these GPA drivers! I do plan to upgrade the wiring on the crossover all around. I have some extra Anticable and 14 gauge OCC Copper single strand that I plan to use. I have been running them for a little over a week in an 11 cu ft enclosures that previously housed Altec 416 woofers. Bill gave me the proper duct sizing for the enclosures. I was all prepped to start construction of custom Altec Stonehenge type cabinets. Bought wood and getting parts and ideas together. Then after conversation with another 604 8H III owner, PaulF70. I have decided to try JE Lab OB's first. I hope to cut them out before the weekend. Paul's set is wonderful to look at too! Which direction did you chose Willie? Feel free to send me a private email. escape2cfc@yahoo.com
Merry Christmas!
Chuck
Edits: 12/25/14
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: