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How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?)

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HiFiOnABudget

Hi all,
a simple newbie question. If I am creating a simple crossover 1st order crossover, between a 8 ohm tweeter and a 8 ohm mid/woofer, but the woofer is some db's less efficent than the Tweeter. What is the method and rule of thumb to equalizing the levels between them?
James

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Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) CJB 09:15:29 05/02/00 (0)
Your best bet is to use an Lpad. It's like a rotary volume control wired in-line with the tweeter after the crossover. You can drill a mounting hole and mount it on the back of the cabinet. 25-50 watt 8Ohm Lpad should work just fine. Try www.madisound.com or www.partsexpress.com.
Add resistance to the tweeter circuit .Adjust using ears. BrianG 17:42:48 05/01/00 (0)
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Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) rcrump 16:02:21 05/01/00 (6)
Budget you say? Try hanging a pair of socks, one covering but not touching the tweeter on each side....This is an old trick that early Wilson Watt owners have used for a tweeter that was a little too hot...We all want a report on this by tomorrow!
- Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) Paul Kelly 17:04:06 05/02/00 (5)
  The only way to lower the volume of a tweeter (or MR driver) AND maintain sonic quality is by using a 'stereo L-pad', (the Big 'L' stands for Inductance) which can be either adjustable (a la volume control) or fixed (the classic voltage divider using high quality fixed R's, preferably non-inductive i.e. Caddock, etc.). A stereo L-Pad will lower the volume of the driver it controls and maintain the proper load/impedance of the speaker so that it will reproduce in a linear fashion accross it's entire bandpass.
  In any case, you should start by using adjustable L-Pads as this will allow you to properly 'voice' the speakers in keeping with your room & system.
  To 'voice' the speakers start by turning the L-Pads full down in both speakers (so that only the woofers are audible). Connect only one speaker or power only one channel. Adjust the volume of the system to a level that is comfortable at a distance of about 1 foot (the nearfield method). Place one of your ears within 1 ft. of the speaker enclosure and slowly begin turning up the L-Pad of the MR driver (if it is a 3-way spkr., or the Tweeter if it's a 2-way). Continue to increase the volume with the L-Pad until that driver is at the same volume level as the woofer(this can take awhile depending on the type of music you're using as a reference). If a 3-way, spkr., do the same with the tweeter. Disconnect that channel and repeat the process with the other speaker. This is a quite accurate method and should only require a bit of fine adjustment later.
  Happy listening !
  - Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) Audio Fan 07:24:26 05/03/00 (4)
    I find my speakers a touch bright in the age of CD. I experimented with a 1 ohm resistor in series with the tweeter and liked the resulting HF warmth, but it caused some peakiness that made it unsuitable. I hesitate to use L-pads because I'm worried about the sound quality.
    > > the classic voltage divider using high quality fixed R's, preferably non-inductive i.e. Caddock, etc. < <
    Could you explain how to do this so I'd end up with the same (or slightly less) attenuation than the 1-ohm resistor provided?
    - Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) john curl 23:45:47 05/03/00 (1)
      Try an old sock on each tweeter. I use them with my Watt's. This is an original suggestion to me from Bob Crump, years ago. They take the edge off, and when I am listening to very high quality inputs, I just remove the socks. They are soft and sit on the grille, without any trouble. One layer is enough. Learn to think 'outside the envelope'.
      - Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) Audio Fan 12:52:44 05/04/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: How do I lower tweeter volume in crossover? (newbie ?) posted by john curl on May 03, 2000 at 23:45:47:
        
        Does a dirty sock attenuate better? But then I suppose a dirty sock may cause tweeter rot. Cotton, wool, polyester?
        Seriously John, thanks for the tip. I had heard of a similar trick with tissue paper but never tried it because I run the speakers without grilles and it would be too ugly. I could use a black sock that would be less obvious, but I was hoping for a better WAF solution. The grilles attenuate the HF nicely, but they screw up the soundstage.
    - Try this........ BrianG 19:04:17 05/03/00 (1)
      a resistor of approx. 50 ohms in parallel with the tweeters will work also and some people claim it will damp the tweeter to prevent ringing at resonance. I used a variable resistor to allow adjustment of the tweeter level. (Same type as an L-pad attenuator just hooked up as a rheostat instead).
      - Re: Try this........ Audio Fan 12:45:36 05/04/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Try this........ posted by BrianG on May 03, 2000 at 19:04:17:
        
        Brian, are you sure this wouldn't affect the tweeter's crossover frequency?
        I've heard of a similar tweak using a 100 ohm resistor. What difference would the value make? Thanks.

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