Problem Solvers Needed-Got my New XOs installed and am worried....

Give it 500 hours before drawing any conclusions. Your impressions will continually change during that time.

Play them as much as you can

Hello, 
No worries. If the drivers are OK just go back to the origin values. I would upgrade to better components since you have to do a break in. Did you ask if you have Teflon caps. Maybe they need more time. No permanent damage done just go back to original. Call the person who did the upgrade. If they did require a speacial upgrade he should have told you like Oldhvymec said he had to do on his. I could see why a manufacturer would not put in the Teflon caps. Audiophiles have very little patience. I am a stickler for break in especially on expensive things like audio gear, cars, and motorcycles. It makes a huge difference down the road. We took a road trip and we’re getting 40 mpg in a 2020 CRV touring on the highway. This is not a hybrid. Amazing!

So, about upgrading XOs...

Yes, if you are doing a part swap, then keep the original values. However! DCR in coils and ESR in caps must be maintained, especially in those devices which go to ground, often via a resistor. If you can’t measure that, but only know the uH or uF you are in danger of altering the design. Reducing the DCR or ESR of a part can significantly alter the sound and not for the better. These values are taken into account at design time.

You can’t substitute a generic crossover for a previous crossover. The electro-mechanical properties of the speaker and drivers function as a unit.

There are times when a speaker’s crossover justifies a complete rethink. I’ve seen this in some Focal and Genesis speakers where impedance drops really did justify a reworking here. I’ve also seen actual speaker designer Troels Gravesen post some really interesting write ups on vintage B&W and Yamaha speakers as well. Go take a look there if you want to know how actual speaker designers think about crossovers:


http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm


You should be well versed in speaker analysis and crossover design before you attempt this, and even then you must ask yourself, if I’m rethinking this crossover shouldn’t I just build new?

And then... well, if you are building new... lots of outstanding kits out there, not to mention speaker drivers waiting to be assembled into a dream setup.

As always, I encourage DIY and learning about speaker making.  Please do so! Just don't assume things are simpler than they are. :)

@chorus    Lots of great feedback here.  Any thoughts??