Recapping Boliver Model 18s - What kind of caps are these?

mrappe

Active Member

• Mar 10, 2012

• #1

I bought some Bolivar Speakerworks Model 18s off of CL an thought I would look at the Xover and think about re-capping them some day. The sound just fine now but I was curious to look at the Xovers so I took one apart and found these strange looking caps on them. Rather large ones cobvered in a cardboard tube. Can someone tell me what kind they are and whether the will need replacing?

 

dc270

Now Off the Reservation

• Mar 10, 2012

• #2

Those were the pre runner to the poly cap we now use today! Well made, not sure of the tolerance and last a good long while.
Be interested in their ESR
Those are very nice sounding speakers- JBL approved!
DC

 

mrappe

Active Member

• Mar 10, 2012

• #3

I have been impressed with the sound and construction of them. It looks like they have never been touched and they are in excellent shape. JBL has always made good speakers and drivers and I guess this company wanted to keep the standards up. Just not as fancy a finish on them.

 

dc270

Now Off the Reservation

• Mar 10, 2012

• #4

The Bolivar Company had license from JBL to use some of their designs as I understand- to keep costs in reason they used stamped steel frames on the woofer but the same parameters as their better cast frame drivers. No argument they are damn fine drivers and quality crossovers- being in a vinyl coated box is no biggie considering what's under the hood! Have fun with them- they are as close to a JBL you will ever get sound wise....just not the name. I say that's a great trade off!
DC

 

grandville45

Active Member

• Dec 14, 2015

• #5

I Would agree, I just had Doug(dc270) refoam my 18 woofers and they sound damn good! good tight bass, and nice mids and highs, very impressed by such a little speaker...

 

toxcrusadr

Omelette au Fromage

• Dec 14, 2015

• #6

I had a pair of, what were they, 64's I think, similar to these. I don't remember those caps though, but it was probably 8 years ago. I would have thought based on the size they were film caps, but they say "electro cap" which implies 'electrolytic'. I notice that the two wires coming out are the same color on each so there is no polarity visible. Possibly nonpolar electrolytics?

If you can check them with a cap meter and they're within spec, well, rock n roll.