Fisher XP-6B Recap (Crossover in a sponge)?

[Zeus12]

Greetings Fisher Audiophiles,

Got these wonderful Fisher XP-6B speakers in almost mint condition. Gave them a listen and they sound great!


The low end in SWEET, controlled, tight and articulate. I didn´t hear any coloration at all. For a 10 inch woofer, it is almost as good as the 12 inch woofer on the XP-7.

As always, the highs are very dull and lacking, they are there, so most likely they need a recap. Have you ever seen a crossover wrapped up in a sponge? . Is this the original design or an after "hack" of some Einstein? The sponge was wrapped in a rubber band (2 of them) and they literally disintegrated into dust, so it looks like they might be from way back. By the way, the serial number is ALMOST consecutive (981 & 997). I would imagine they were made in the beginning of 1968, correct? Here are the "insides" of the Fisher XP-6B speakers.







Don´t know what to do. Should I glue the whole crossover to the back of the cabinet? or put the new caps (10uf+8uf) and leave it inside the sponge? I ordered 2 sets of caps--(10uf+8uf) of each set. One set "MUNDORF E-CAP ECAP100 (BR100) RAW Capacitor 100VDC 32VAC" and another set of "MUNDORF MCAP Capacitor 250V" film caps. Any suggestion on whether I should go with electrolytic or film? I would imagine the film (MCAP) will "open" up the highs a bit more than the e-caps?

Cheers!!!

 

[cademan]

It's foam and is probably used as damping material just like the insulation. Most crossover modules are usually just glued or mounted on the rear of the box so I think you could do whatever you want.

 

[Zeus12]

Greetings Audiophiles,

Thanks cademan! Left it in there EXACTLY THE SAME WAY it was and just used some new elastic bands for the foam. It is "tucked" under the fiberglass foam so I think it will be OK. I think Mr. Avery Fisher knew more about speakers than I do!!

Decided to use "Mundorf ECAP RAW" electrolytics since they were much smaller and even those were a real pain getting them on. Didn´t notice that there were 2 caps on there. An 18uf AND an 15uf cap. Didn´t see the 15uf one when I first opened them.



Had to get creative and combine 2 caps for the 18uf one. One 10uf and another 8.2uf. Glued them with a little bit of silicon glue and this is the result:


Sound is FENOMENAL!! The highs "opened up" and there is A BIG difference to the original sound. Typical Fisher sound, SWEET, CONTROLED BASS, SMOOOOTH TREBLE, and overall a pleasure to listen to ALL DAY without any listening fatigue.

Cheers!!!

 

[Muskoka]

Thank you for that information. Do you know where I could get new tweeters?