Hi Guys,
As to "Sandcast Resistors" utilized within a crossover...here are some considerations that many emerging audiophiles may not realize...perhaps? :
Sandcast resistors cost less than a dollar and are obviously at "the low cost point" of what we see in any audiophile speaker, in terms of "what could be utilized" inside a crossover design. It is possibly true that this ultra low cost part could not actually affect the overall sonic picture of the speaker’s performance, maybe? Or at the very least, it may not be easily detectable? However, I feel that this is a BIG assumption when we do see a Sandcast resistors in most audio speakers, even very high priced offerings. Let me explain further...
Let's compare the cost of going with a great resistor in the crossover, like a Mills for instance. This is one of the very best resistors a designer could opt for in terms of sonics. And, the cost difference to opt into a Mills is just about $2.00 more! In nutshell, where else
anywhere i
n high end audio can a designer opt from a basic "it may be O.K. sounding part" into one of the absolute best sounding parts, period? For just a few dollars? Really? Why?
As a side-note, the use of Sandcast resistors can be found in a very large percentage of audiophile speakers, not just the Buchardts. Hence, it's really sad to see even $10,000+ speakers that go this route using Sandcast Resistors in their crossovers as well. In my humble opinion, when someone spends many thousands of dollars on their speakers, they are actually expecting the designers to
not save $2.00 on using a meager "it's an O.K. sounding part". When comparably, with just two bucks of additional expenditure, they could have gone with
one of the best sounding parts! UGH!
For anyone that actually wants to help the entire speaker industry move forward, it is all up to
YOU. Crossover parts quality is one area that still needs to be carefully scrutinzed by all of us. I still see cost savings versus sonic improvements with using much better parts a serious problem in much of high end loudspeakers. My suggestion for all reading this post - When inquiring with speaker companies about their designs, or the dealers, prior to actual purchase decision, ask more questions about their crossover network. Examine the parts quality that they have chosen! Particularly the use of something that can be upgraded for just a few bucks (like the Sandcast, for example). The result will give us all better sounding loudspeakers as they now realize that audiophiles are actually scrutinizing the parts quality chosen for the speaker’s crossover itself!
End result - Everybody wins with better sounding loudspeaker offerings!
Cheers,
Eric Hider - dB Audio Labs
