Probably one of the best videos on this topic. Rebuilding crossovers has become ever so popular, especially since the Covid lockdown. So many highly viewed channels say you absolutely must use high end NIRs. I have only actually heard a very very small difference on the high efficiency horns in the higher freq range. By nature I use the higher end resistors but to be honest , I have my doubts if anyone else hears a difference at all. I focus on very high quality capacitors and coils myself. Thanks for a wonderful video. Not much out there on this topic with respect to actual audible differences
Interesting topic. I recently got everything I needed to refurbish a beautiful pair of Klipsch Fortes I recently picked up from my neighbor. I bought new higher quality caps and resistors to replace the stock parts from Parts Connexion, due in part because they’ll take already closely matched tolerances and match them within 1%. I also damped the horns with dynamat and replaced the old wire with OCC copper wire. I can absolutely hear a difference in the speakers’ clarity, instrument separation, and overall tonality. I also did a lot more than just replace the caps and resistors, but I think things add up and make an audible difference.
Yeah I would agree that a number of nominal changes would add up to make a difference. As a rule I don't replace them, but that is because I am dealing with speakers of nominal value. If I ever get the JBL L300's I covet, I wouldn't spare any expense on a possible crossover upgrade.
in a carefully designed system the audio drivers, the cabinet and the crossover are all matched to achieve the optimal response. if you need to replace the crossover resistors, for some reason, replace them with equal value components (watts, ohms and construction type) because they usually turn a system from underdamped to either critically damped or overdamped and thus reduce annoying peaks or excessive overlaps in the electromechanical (coupled) behaviour of the whole system.
That might be true of *carefully designed* speakers, yes. But how many cost-constrained models are really all that carefully or critically designed? A standard 10-20% tolerance between samples of the same electrolytic cap will surely have far more effect than a tiny difference in parastic inductance in a resistor, won't it? When a crossover uses electrolytic caps (just as an example) the overall tolerance of the entire system is inevitably compromised and can't be that precise. And if a speaker is so carefully designed that even the smallest differences are critical, then I'd think it's very likely that it already wouldn't need any upgrading.
@@osliverpool true, if one uses electrolytics instead of the far more accurate non-polars then precise values of resistor is much less critical or even prevalent in some cases (the series parasitic inductance of resistors is rarely relevant in crossovers unless it extends into several 10s of micro henries). anyway, a system using electrolytics especially the ad-hoc desperate back-to-back configuration that is nothing but short of a joke is hardly worth considering any meddling at all except putting those poor caps out of their misery ;-)
I recently acquired a pair of martin logan ESL electromotion speakers and for some reason, the volume output is way lower and muddy sounding compared to my other speakers. Martin logan support recommended I replace the internal power supply, so I just swapped them out and the volume is still really low. Do you think it's a crossover issue?
on newer speakers it shouldn't be the crossover. That said something is wrong because they should sound right... Have you tried anything different since your comment?
Probably one of the best videos on this topic. Rebuilding crossovers has become ever so popular, especially since the Covid lockdown. So many highly viewed channels say you absolutely must use high end NIRs. I have only actually heard a very very small difference on the high efficiency horns in the higher freq range. By nature I use the higher end resistors but to be honest , I have my doubts if anyone else hears a difference at all. I focus on very high quality capacitors and coils myself. Thanks for a wonderful video. Not much out there on this topic with respect to actual audible differences
Thanks for the great comment and support
Interesting topic. I recently got everything I needed to refurbish a beautiful pair of Klipsch Fortes I recently picked up from my neighbor. I bought new higher quality caps and resistors to replace the stock parts from Parts Connexion, due in part because they’ll take already closely matched tolerances and match them within 1%. I also damped the horns with dynamat and replaced the old wire with OCC copper wire. I can absolutely hear a difference in the speakers’ clarity, instrument separation, and overall tonality. I also did a lot more than just replace the caps and resistors, but I think things add up and make an audible difference.
Yeah I would agree that a number of nominal changes would add up to make a difference. As a rule I don't replace them, but that is because I am dealing with speakers of nominal value. If I ever get the JBL L300's I covet, I wouldn't spare any expense on a possible crossover upgrade.
Hi Nick, we meet again! That seems like a very interesting project you have done 👌. Happy New Year to you my good friend.
Jim🏴🙂
in a carefully designed system the audio drivers, the cabinet and the crossover are all matched to achieve the optimal response. if you need to replace the crossover resistors, for some reason, replace them with equal value components (watts, ohms and construction type) because they usually turn a system from underdamped to either critically damped or overdamped and thus reduce annoying peaks or excessive overlaps in the electromechanical (coupled) behaviour of the whole system.
I agree. Good analysis
You are spot on sir ! Few people actually recognize or factor in the big picture so to say.
@@l.b.stringfellow2413 Thanks
That might be true of *carefully designed* speakers, yes. But how many cost-constrained models are really all that carefully or critically designed? A standard 10-20% tolerance between samples of the same electrolytic cap will surely have far more effect than a tiny difference in parastic inductance in a resistor, won't it? When a crossover uses electrolytic caps (just as an example) the overall tolerance of the entire system is inevitably compromised and can't be that precise. And if a speaker is so carefully designed that even the smallest differences are critical, then I'd think it's very likely that it already wouldn't need any upgrading.
@@osliverpool true, if one uses electrolytics instead of the far more accurate non-polars then precise values of resistor is much less critical or even prevalent in some cases (the series parasitic inductance of resistors is rarely relevant in crossovers unless it extends into several 10s of micro henries). anyway, a system using electrolytics especially the ad-hoc desperate back-to-back configuration that is nothing but short of a joke is hardly worth considering any meddling at all except putting those poor caps out of their misery ;-)
I recently acquired a pair of martin logan ESL electromotion speakers and for some reason, the volume output is way lower and muddy sounding compared to my other speakers. Martin logan support recommended I replace the internal power supply, so I just swapped them out and the volume is still really low. Do you think it's a crossover issue?
on newer speakers it shouldn't be the crossover. That said something is wrong because they should sound right... Have you tried anything different since your comment?
They are generally cheaper than a box of matches anyway
Good point!