[chlorofille]

Hi,

If you had to connect a 0.5mH inductor to your woofer's crossover, which would result in more transparent sound and why? :

1. 16 AWG 0.5mH (DCR 0.45Ohm)
2. 2X 14 AWG 1mH in parallel (0.3Ohm each, 0.15Ohm efective net resistance)

In the first instance, higher DCR will lead so some losses, but it is a single element. In the 2nd instance, DCR will drop to 0.15Ohm while inductance becomes 0.5mH, but at the cost of an added component in the signal path.

Assumptions made :
-Both inductors are of the same brand and quality. Only their AWG differ.
-These were the only available parts at home.

 

[Niteshade]

They're both well below one ohm- so I am not sure the difference will mean anything. However, I would probably go with the lower resistance option. Resistance causes attenuation, reducing the speaker's sensitivity.

[chlorofille]

Hi Niteshade,

Thanks. I actually have the inductors with me and will give it a try and report back =)

[chlorofille]

I tested the 2 options and found that using 2X 1mH to form 0.5mH sounded better. The bass was more prominent and midrange a touch sharper. With the single 0.5mH, the overall presentation was more relaxed and warm; nothing thrilling.

My 94dB tweeter has no L-Pad now, so if an extremely thick AWG inductor is used, say a single 8AWG 0.5mH, DCR could hit 0.03Ohms and the woofers might play louder than the tweeter !

Tweeter : Scanspeak D2904 7100 soft dome
Midwoofer: 2X Scanspeak 21W8554 kevlar
Inspired from S.Linkwitz's Phoenix loudspeaker but instead of a dipole, I have built it in a vented box.