Electrovoice Duchess IV in California

I'm bewildered why you are confused, happily we are both happy.

Because I asked how it worked out when you inserted your new Lpad where there was previously no Lpad but instead a complex 5-way circuit ( based on my memory of the schematic) to affect treble balance. I certainly don’t “prefer” one or the other, and it’s not simply a matter of semantics. I merely pointed out what’s in the schematic you posted. On p3 of your brochure. You didn’t address my question, which is fine, but that leaves me still wondering how it sounds with your new Lpad vs the original circuit. So maybe “curious” is a better word than “confused”.

You have lost track, my fault because I have mixed up three discussions:

1. L-Pads for my existing 3-way speakers, all electro-voice drivers, 1958.

They, like most vintage Electro-voice speakers  originally had L-Pads. 16 ohm drivers used AT37 L-Pads. 3-way systems had two: Brilliance for the Tweeter; Presence for the Mids. Woofers no adjustments.

Middle attenuation position was 'normal', less attenuation for dull rooms, more attenuation for live rooms. Adjust for taste. 

In the L-Pad discussion, not knowing that these were instrumental to the speaker systems, many, typically signal purists, said remove the L-Pads, they are a terrible idea.

You suggested I measure ___, and replace the L-Pad with a specific resistor, 'better' than L-Pads. That would be specific, no variation over time as my ability to hear highs diminishes, or for different spaces.

I never did that. I removed the L-Pads, they were awful screechy, I bought POTS, you helped me understand L-Pads maintaining resistance shown to the crossover. I returned the POTS, got and installed (replaced) new 16 ohm L-Pads. Sound: back to Nirvana. 


2. This discussion, Electro-voice Duchess IV.

They popped up on an an eBay search. I just posted it for others and fun, it is also a 3-way, it also has a pair of AT37 L-Pads, Brilliance and Presence. If near me, I would run over to hear them. Others near enough could listen, perhaps purchase. It did lead me to do research and find that nearly all Vintage Electro-voice speakers had AT-37 L-pads.

3. Electro-Voice E-V SIX. (4 way)

https://products.electrovoice.com/binary/E-V%20Six%20EDS.pdf

This popped up when researching the EV designs, most using L-Pads 

The 4-way SIX has a unique 5 step resistor network, the only EV system I came across with resistors. That was interesting, and related to your preference to resistors. Because it was 5 selectable settings, they published 5 frequency graphs, also very unique.

And 18" woofers, 1/2" thick foam!

And Near Me!

Those tempted me quite a bit, I would build new custom enclosures. But when I cooled down, not for me. Then I realized, they would fit perfectly in my son's room, as is, then move the drivers to new enclosures I would have built for him. He said no.

Go hear them anyway?  Chain me to the wall.

It's all perfectly clear to me, now.

lowered the price to $2000 OBO for the Electrovoice Duchess IV, Heck I might even deliver them for a reasonable fee since I'm off work for a while. Someone please buy them before I part them out, lol.