The one tweak most Focals need ...


From a lot of work done analyzing Focals, if you have one, especially an older one, and want to improve the sound and maybe learn something, try upgrading the tweeter caps.

Usually this is 1 or 2 film caps in series with the tweet. I can recommend Mundorf MKP as well as Clarity CSA as being good improvements.

Of course, you probably wouldn't want to mess with your Utopias, but for the mid to low end, highly recommended.
erik_squires
Hey @johnsonwu

I agree with you about the caps, but sometimes DCR in a coil is a good thing, as it can be part of a baffle step compensation.  Don't go reducing that without understanding the circuit.

Especially in shunts like Zobel or notch filters.

Best,

Erik

erik_squires.  How much do you think to rebuild a new cross over for a 3 way speakers home made 8" woofer, Vifa 1" silk dome tweeter, Audax 3" carbon fiber midrange. 25-25000 hz.  I want especialy more top end presence and definition, mid and bas are OK.  The present cross over is glued to the interior baffle, so I would need to complete rebuild it probably.  The cross over parts are not well known and never find the brand on internet.  Would it worth to change the tweeter ?
audiosense -

There are three ways for you to go I think:

1 If you want to try inexpensively, update any caps in series with the tweeter and midrange.
2 Get a miniDSP and attempt to EQ your tastes into the speaker
3 Get a brand new kit.

The hardest thing for newbies to do is take an old speaker and switch a single driver. It's a lot of work, and may not be worth it due to the quality of the parts involved in the original, the cost of the new crossover, etc.

This is totally a great learning exercise. You will learn speaker measurement and analysis, you'll get new tools, and be able to dial in exactly what you want, but .... it is ONLY worth doing if you want to invest in yourself that much. To do it to reuse the parts you have, not really worth it at all.
I think the newer Focal 2's & 3's use Mundorf caps.
And, I honestly would have no idea as to how to check without destroying the cabinet.

How did you get to the caps?

ozzy
I tweaked my Focal Sopra 2's the right way: I got rid of them; biggest audio disappointment thus far;