Modifying Crossovers

thanks for the feedback. I think it is interesting that an $11k speaker needs modification. 

@falmgren you really think they used the best crossover parts that the could have for $11k? Did they use all silver wire in them?  They may also use lower quality crossover parts because of availability.

@falmgren "needs modifications" is too strong, and you probably meant it that way.  But if an $11K speaker couldn't be improved, there would be no need for a $12K speaker, would there?

Crossovers are one of the areas where speaker manufacturers tend to save money.  Like I posted above, I am spending $2300+ on parts.   the improvements will be small.  They would be unnoticalbe if I was an average consumer with a relatively inexpensive but powerful amp driven by his computer and the onboard DAC.  Also, crossovers are invisible (except on high end speakers where they actually give you a great crossover, then sometimes they make them visible below plexiglass).  But if you want your $11K speaker to sound like a $50K speaker, ugrading he crossover will be necessary.  I guarantee that an $11k speaker doesn't use $2300 worth of parts in the crossover.

Most, or at least many, upgraders like me, do not feel the need to change the design of the crossover, just the quality of the parts.  I am using the exact same values that the OEM used, just MUCH MUCH higher quality components.  

Also, the wiring inside the speaker can usaualy be upgraded, I'm changing to Duelund Cotton oil insulated pure copper wire at least one gauge larger than the OEM used.

I know several people who have done this upgrade and I heard before-and-after on one of them.  Huge improvement to those of us who are dealing in portions of that last 2%.  Probably un-noticable to the average consumer.

Jerry

@gdnrbob 

"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."

The original designed may have wanted to save money on cheaper parts, and as you've seen above, some have designed their own speakers.

My 2 cents...

And that's about what it's worth...

Modifying crossovers.... What is your purpose of modding and upgrading audio gears? Trying to make the audio sound better? What is the best sound then? What is the final destination? Is it the original Music/Sound?

Watch below video. Is it your final destination? Or do you have more upgrade to do? "BORRESEN X3 with AAVIK + ANSUZ " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnJQMjQLZ54

My final destination audio is same or better than this. https://youtu.be/XaBy9CcGoTE?t=86

Many people devoted their life times to get the original Music/Sound in last 150 years and gone without seeing it. No one was close. Will your mod get you the better than above videos’ sounds? I think not.

After Xover mod, I bet the speaker will sound worse. Speaker company has the experience with their speakers. OP doesn’t. Replacing better parts is not the promise of improvement. I know I make the best sounding speakers.

People say the speaker makes the biggest difference. If those speakers work with bad broken signals, your hard speaker work is wasting. For the best sound in the future, make sure the source has the best signal.

The original music can happen only with best power cords and cables. I think power cord upgrade is more sound improvement and much easier than modding xover without the risk. PC upgrade guarantees the sound improvement. Or return it. Alex/Wavetouch