Microphonics in the crossover

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GMG

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Microphonics in the crossover
« on: 7 Mar 2022, 09:50 pm »
I have recently learned that many electronic components are susceptible to microphonic effects due to mechanical vibrations. Some of those mechanical vibrations are induced by the sound waves of the music itself.
There are many components design considerations that take microphony under consideration and there are numerous products to reduce and dampen vibrations.
But - what about the crossover?? Isn’t it right at the source of the vibration? I would think that there is a lot of vibration going on inside the speaker cabinet. Wouldn’t it make sense to have the crossover external to the speaker? Or at least have the crossover heavily dampened with “no-res” or something similar?

Hobbsmeerkat

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Re: Microphonics in the crossover
« Reply #1 on: 8 Mar 2022, 05:23 am »
Microphonics arent a major issue with the crossovers.

And so long as everything is securely mounted to the a board with zipties and hot glue, there's not much thats going to affect them sonically in that regard.

Cabinet resonances and a ringing woofer frame are going to have a much larger effect on sound quality.

More sensitive equipment, like turntables and tube gear, are much more susceptible to microphonics than anything found in the crossover.

GMG

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Re: Microphonics in the crossover
« Reply #2 on: 8 Mar 2022, 06:44 am »
Thanks!

ric

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Re: Microphonics in the crossover
« Reply #3 on: 8 Mar 2022, 02:59 pm »
I think I disagree. When I replaced a few small caps with much larger caps requiring an outboard crossover, I ended up trying some IsoAcoustics Oreas under them and I did (and do) hear a small but noticeable difference and improvement in sound quality.
   Whether this is do specifically to microphonics I couldn't say, but at this point I am under the assumption that most if not all parts of a system do respond to vibration that negatively affects the sound. I skoffed at replacing my turntable motor cheap power cord with a different power cord and was jaw dropped to find I could hear a difference--it's only a motor...

corndog71

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Re: Microphonics in the crossover
« Reply #4 on: 8 Mar 2022, 04:57 pm »
If I wasn’t thinking about trying different parts in my crossover I would be tempted to pot the whole thing.  That would certainly help cut down on vibrations.