Modifying Crossovers

@falmgren ,

I would be highly suspect of anyone who thinks they know more than the speaker designer. If they know so much, why haven't they designed their own speaker.

My 2 cents...

Bob

Well, if you know what you have and what you want.

For isntance, Focals have good components, but I like Mundorf MKP's better than the Solens they use in the mid to low end models.

Wharferdale speakers can sound really really good with some better tweeter caps.

I would be highly suspect of anyone who thinks they know more than the speaker designer. If they know so much, why haven’t they designed their own speaker.

@gdnrbob

Heh, well I have made several sets of speakers but I don’t claim to know MORE than they do, but maybe have different tastes.

Modding a speaker with careful application of the right caps is like adding hot sauce to a really good soup.

Some I wouldn’t touch, at all. Top of the line Magico and B&W use top of the line Mundorf caps. NOT my favorite, but in both cases the caps are absolutely tied to the sound quality. Once I start playing around in the crossovers I’m absolutely changing things far from the brand intentions.

Wharferdale diamonds though are an easy win. :) B&W has used caps exclusively as the distinguishing feature between some models. In these cases and upgrade may be ideal.

With some older speakers, made in the 1980s for instance, not only are you dealing with older parts but non-ideal impedance curves.  Infinity and Yamaha speakers, and Focal Profile (newer than that, still crap impedance).  Definitely cases where a complete re-think of the crossover can have positive effects. This last approach requires a more advanced hobbyist capable of doing a complete speaker analysis, not just part swapping.

However, I love DIY and the point about making your own is a really good one.  Plenty of fantastic sounding, high end kits out there. :)

OP:

Honestly wouldn't do this with any high end speaker, but if you are curious I highly encourage you to build your own speakers and play with parts.  That's relatively inexpensive, and you aren't destroying anything you want to sell later. :)

It's also a great deal of fun and frankly we need more builders in these forums to keep the disinformation at bay.

Best,

E

I apologize to the audiophile gods.   Nobody can know more than someone who has hung up a shingle and become an OEM.