Upgading Speaker Crossovers

[BAA]

Greetings fellow enthusists! At one time I came across a post where someone suggested that a particular speakers (YAMAHA NS 1000's) performance could be improved by upgrading the capacitors in the crossover. I have a pair of NS 690's that I have recently refoamed the woofers on. I had not noticed how much the speakers sound quality had decayed along with the decaying foam! Would I realize improved sound quality by upgrading the existing crossovers? If so, what improvements should I plan on making? Any links that might be informative with regards to this kind of mode? Thanks for any and all input!

 

[WmAx]

Would I realize improved sound quality by upgrading the existing crossovers? If so, what improvements should I plan on making? Any links that might be informative with regards to this kind of mode? Thanks for any and all input!

If the capacitors are performing within their original specifications, then there is no credible evidence to suggest you will realize any difference by changing the capacitors to another brand or dielectric type. However, if the speakers use electrolytic capacitors, then it *may* be beneficial to change out the components to a mylar or polypropylene film types. This is because electrolytic capacitors are not dependable to maintain the same value of capacitance over a period of several years. Electrolytics should not be used in value sensitive sections of a circuit, if that circuit is expected to operate within tight tolerances over an extended time period. You require stabile capacitors(except for the Zobel network, if used in your speaker, which is far more tolerant of value drift) if you wish for consistant behaviour over an extended time period.

-Chris

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Yup, what Chris said!

"Magic" capacitors are one of the longstanding shibboleths of the high-end audio crowd. Why this common and humble passive component has been freighted with such significance has always been a mystery to me.

At the risk of TMI: For a techy but still accessable and straightforward explanation of the various types of caps and their strengths, weaknesses and uses, see this article.