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Speaker crossover mod. Your advice?

I'm considering modding the crossovers of my Focal 1027s. Specifically, I am thinking about replacing the capacitor associated with the tweeter. I have received some helpful advice from another A'gon member who has done a similar mod to his crossovers (on a different model speaker from the same manufacturer).

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions from folks who have experience with this sort of thing. In particular, what sort of improvements can be achieved with this kind of mod? Any thoughts on which caps to use? Any common mistakes I should avoid? Is the whole thing a bad idea?

Thanks for your input.

Bryon
bryoncunningham
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
Byron, the approximate voltage-rating minimum for x-over caps is about FIFTY. 250VDC caps are used by manufacturers because they're available. 100s and 200s will work perfectly.

One can always use higher-power-rated resistors to replace lower-rated ones.

In paralleling caps, one uses the SoniCap Gen.1 for most of the value and the RTX or Platinum as the 'filler'. The higher proportion of higher-quality cap, the better-overall the sound is. And remember, ending up within c. 5% of the rated values is JUST FINE.

You're making this project WAY too difficult. :-)
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bryoncunningham OP
895 posts
 
Thanks Jeffrey. Not trying to make things difficult. Trying not to make a mistake I will regret. To a pro, a rookie's caution may seem silly. But we are all rookies at one time or another.

Speaking of not making a mistake...

As Magfan pointed out, it's going to be difficult to mount the new caps to the crossover board, as they are MUCH bigger than the stock caps. Can anyone make a suggestion as to how the new caps can be secured to the board, which is mounted vertically inside the speaker cabinet. No, I can't go external.

BTW, I did discover that ClarityCaps MR will be available in March from Parts Connexion in the value I need - 3.6uF. I'm now leaning toward a combination of ClarityCap MR and Mundorf (not sure which one). Both have their proponents, so I may just split the difference.

Bryon
face
516 posts
 
Bryon, why split a mediocre cap and high end cap instead of just using a single high end cap? The combination of bypasses mentioned above can add artificial artifacts and can also sound very detailed, not something I would want with a metal dome tweeter. Besides, a single cap in series will have better spacial information than unequal split values or bypasses. YMMV.
bryoncunningham OP
895 posts
 
Face - Sorry, my last post wasn't that clear. The tweeter has 2 caps associated with it - C1 and C2 - that are 3.6uF and 6.8uF. What I was trying to say in my last post is that I'm currently leaning toward doing this:

1. Replacing the stock 3.6uF cap with a SINGLE 3.6uF ClarityCap MR.
2. Replacing the stock 6.8uF cap with a single 6.8uF Mundorf, (possibly silver/oil)

What do you think of that idea?

Bryon
reynolds853
388 posts
 
Bryon,

I just want to add that I respect Face's experience and would heed his advice.

John
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