First Time Crossover Build

[jaymanaa]

Thanks for the offer Ed, I'd love to hear them sometime, as well as your last project. :yes: I think I understand what you guys are talking about. I was talking about it with the Missus last night (who has a Masters in theatre, and knows about this kind of stuff) and she reminded me that there is a side door in that room that we could use. I may move them today and see what happens. I can't beleive how interested she has become in the whole project. She really likes the sound of the system, and the fact that I'm not listening as loud (I guess). I put on the CD Paul C. sent me last night while she was upstairs, and about 2 minutes into the first selection, she came down and said "now that sounds great". Hell, we even had a discussion on a future pre-amp project. She used to do some stage designing, and I think the Altecs may have brought back found memories. :scratch2: Whatever it is, I'll take it. It's cool to have her smiling about audio gear :thmbsp: Oh yeh, what about the transients?

 

[ozmoid]

Transients are the little 'overtones' made by an instrument, or by two pitches coming into and out of synchronous frequency. The more complex the music, the more likely transient pitches will be formed. A string vibrating at a certain frequency will make little pitches that are a subset of the frequency of the pitch that's being played.

Also known as "harmonic oscillation". Paul C. can probably do a better description than this, it's been two decades since I had theory class...

 

[Paul C]

Actually, transients are the high level peaks when a drum is struck, a string is plucked, etc. These are very short, and of high frequency. Good examples are Claves being struck, a twig snapping as someone steps on it.

Transients are what really require headroom.

When I describe hearing the tap of the stick on the cymbal, or Jay hears the "clicking", which he later figured out was the sound of the pick on the mandolin... those are transients. And that is what horns really do well.

 

[lndm]

When most people refer to transients, they are talking about sudden peaks.

In greater technical detail, however, transient simply means in a state of flux, or change. That is, moving away from a state of equillibrium.

A transient does not have to be big, and it does not have to be fast. A bass transient might be big, but not necessarily as fast as say, a treble transient which will also more likely not be large.

'Transient response' is the issue that many of us seek to improve on. This simply means that when you apply a signal, action should not be delayed, and when the signal stops, all should stop without delay.

The problem to seek out is energy storage. Avoiding high Q / steep crossover slopes and cabinet alignments is a good start. It also pays to arrange a minimal phase shift throughout a crossover region. Also look at intrusive poles and zeroes in amplifiers.

These problems will affect sound at both high and low levels.

 

[capo72]

I just wanted to say, that I think this is a really cool way to do crossovers. I think you have done a great job. My only suggestion is.............back light that sucker! Make it glow like your tubes


Jeremy

 

[Paul C]

BLUE LED's!

 

[Fran604g]

Hi Jay,

I've read this post over the past couple of days...I like your style.

That's a great idea using the bus bars. It looks very unique, you should be very proud of it.

I've thought of using acrylic for my crossover project for my 604's and seeing your work convinces me I should.

My old lady doesn't like "seeing the guts", but she'll just have to learn to.

Happy Holidays!

 

[Paul C]

Jay's crossover pictures:

 

[Gibsonian]

Paul/Jay,

Great work and thank you for the good read. Wish I could listen to what I see!

 

[RayW]

Great googly moogly!! That's the nicest looking XO I've ever seen! Suweet!

Ray

 

[Fran604g]

Thanks for the pics, Paul, I've been wondering what happened to them.

 

[Paul C]

That is my schematic, but it is Jay's creation. That crossover IS a piece of art, huh?

Mine usually get glued to a chunk of scrap ply, and buried inside the speaker cab. But Jay's really seem to go with the amps and speakers. Everything visible, but neat, clean.

GREAT JOB, Jay!

 

[Fran604g]

Definately been an inspiration for me!

 

[Paul C]

Jay's saga continues... finally gets around to finishing the cabs.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151271