[BK_856er]

I'm not quite sure how to phrase this question, so I'll just come out and ask it.  If I wanted to "improve" this 2-way crossover, would I just use higher end parts from GR and go point-to-point?  If so, are any parts worth keeping?  I'm not looking to fundamentally change anything, nor is anything broken, but I can never leave well enough alone...

BK

[*Scotty*]

What speaker system did this crossover come from? I see a ferrite core inductor and if the it could be replaced with an air core inductor with the same DCR that might be a good thing to do. I like Alphacore Goertz flat foil inductors and polyproplene capacitors. Dending on where the resistors are in crossover you could switch them out for non-inductive resistors or metal oxide/metal film replacements of similar power handling capability.
 You could easily wind up sinking a lot of money into the crossover parts and it could be a waste if the drivers and speaker design are nothing to write home about. You could be unknowingly polishing a turd.
Scotty

[BK_856er]

The speaker system uses a 6" SEAS woofer, RAAL tweeter and a very nice bamboo laminate cabinet.  I was hoping to keep the conversation generic, but that probably gives it away right there.  The model is the Sierra-2.  My intention would be to source parts from GR, so I thought this would be a good place to get some feedback.

BK

[*Scotty*]

You definitely have something to work with, , I would be tempted to throw the works at it. Peg board from Lowes or Home Depot is handy to put the new parts on and they can be secured with zip-ties through the peg board holes and point to point solder connections can be made. If the crossover board has to go back through the woofer mounting hole in the cabinet be sure to test fit the new board as it will most likely be larger than the original circuit board. Those holes in the peg board are also handy to put wood screws through to mount the cross-over board in the enclosure. You may wind up having to split the circuit up and mount it on two pieces of peg board to get the whole circuit inside the enclosure.
Scotty

[jtwrace]

What about No Rez?  Tube Connectors?  Hell, send the speakers to Danny and he can measure them and tune 'em up!   

[WireNut]

Just a thought.
Madisound can design you a new crossover with their Leap software for $40 for a two way and email you the schematic.
You have to tell them the drivers, box size ect.


https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/xover-design

[S Clark]

Just a thought.
Madisound can design you a new crossover with their Leap software for $40 for a two way and email you the schematic.
You have to tell them the drivers, box size ect.


https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/xover-design

That service is not more than a bare bones computerized crossover- don't waste your money like I did a few years back.  Keep the air core inductors, change the ferrite core one, replace the cheap poly caps with Sonicaps, and the sand cast resistors with Mills.  Do one at a time, compare them, and I'll bet you'll be pleased with the upgrade.  And get a sheet of No Rez.

[WireNut]

That service is not more than a bare bones computerized crossover- don't waste your money like I did a few years back.  Keep the air core inductors, change the ferrite core one, replace the cheap poly caps with Sonicaps, and the sand cast resistors with Mills.  Do one at a time, compare them, and I'll bet you'll be pleased with the upgrade.  And get a sheet of No Rez.

Sounds like a plan to me.
+1




 

[a.wayne]

Before changing anything , you need to measure the DCR of the iron parts being changed if not you will end up with something worse. Careful changing the ferrite , they are  more linear than the aircore and  you will change the operation of the driver . I would definitely get rid of the sand resistors( in signal path only) and upgrade caps after chking ESR , before touching anything else...



Regards

[BK_856er]

Thanks guys.  I know the crossover was very carefully designed for this application and there are measurements to back that up, but naturally it was built to a certain price point with certain compromises and the ability to also mfg at a certain scale.  Would be great to send the whole box to Danny for him to work some magic, but that feels like cheating and is probably out of my budget.  Changing out caps/resistors for starters seems like a sensible starting point.  Does "checking ESR" mean looking up component specifications and comparing against a potential replacement, or actual measurements with an ESR meter?

BK

[Wolfpack85]

How about an outboard crossover? Not a whole lot of room on that board.

[Danny Richie]

No problem taking them up several performance levels. The budget level crossover is definitely holding them back.

Give me a call on Monday and I'll give you some options.

[BK_856er]

Will do - thanks, Danny.   

BK