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Best Capacitors for Crossovers

I am now in the tweaking stage of trying different caps in my crossovers for my DIY homemade 2 way. I presently have and will soon try a 5.6uf 800 vdc +/- 2% Jantzen Audio Silver Z-cap.

I see that Mundorf, V Cap get a lot of accolades, and the Dueland are quite pricey.

Does anyone have a favorite?

I am trying to cross over at about 4500HZ at 6db.

128x128ozzy
erik_squires
16,315 posts
 
Hi Ozzy,

Yes, resistors in the tweeter section are usually to pad down the level.  Tweeters tend to be very sensitive, around 98 dB for instance at 2.83V, while woofers, when all is said and done, may be around 87 dB for a small diameter woofer. So that's 11 dB difference. It's close to 10x the power needed in  the woofer than the tweeter.

I just posted sample files for my own DIY kit. It includes simulation files so you can play with the design and see how each part contributes to the sound.

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
16,315 posts
 
Ozzy,

Here is a link to the LM-1 speaker kit. This particular page discusses the crossover, and how the tweeter level is set.

http://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/05/lm-1-bookshelf-crossover.html

Best,

Erik
ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,521 posts
 

Eric,

I can't open your sample files.

The woofer I'm using is 90db and crossing over at 4500hz seems to be quite fine. Perhaps the tweeter is a little too much but with my "old" ears sounds pretty good to me. Even at this early stage of breakin my DIY 2-way sounds better than many of my other high priced speakers including B&W's.

I tried to limit the amount of components in the crossover networks.

As I stated earlier I made the crossover in a external box. They were made bi-wired, with separate wbt posts . For the woofer, I used military spec cryoed 12 gauge silver/copper wire. The inductor is also 12 gauge. With the tweeters I used 14 gauge pure .9999 silver wire internally and the Jantzan Silver 5.6uf Cap.

I just ordered a DEQX Premate, with my JL Audio F-113 subs this ought to turn into something really special.

erik_squires
16,315 posts
 
Ozzy,

You need XSim which is also free. :)

We have a couple of threads going on in the DIY forums regarding simulation and crossover design. Feel free to join in.

Best,


Erik
barrysandy
192 posts
 
I like the Duelund Cast caps for speaker crossovers and use them on the tweeter / midrange panels of my Magnepan 3.6s. They sound amazingly clear and natural. They're almost as good as a Pass Labs 3 way active crossover used on the bass panels and subs. When you consider the benefits of extra amp power and direct drive of the latter, that's saying something. I'm glad I bought them years ago, as now they require a third mortgage! 

I recently added the Duelund silver foil wax and Oil .01uF bypasses to the tweeters.  I'm not a big fan of silver. Much more subtle changes, but ok, so I'm going to leave them in.
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