• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

HPM 60, crossover rebuild vs active crossover

Those solan caps are known to brighten the mids and highs. As forward as the mids and highs already are this might not be good. I would have gone with parts express electrolytic caps. Much smaller, cheaper, easier to install and great quality.
 
z-adamson said:
Those solan caps are known to brighten the mids and highs. As forward as the mids and highs already are this might not be good. I would have gone with parts express electrolytic caps. Much smaller, cheaper, easier to install and great quality.
Click to expand...
I have only modified (1) of the passive crossovers so far. It would be easy to use dayton audios on the next one and compare them. you said the solen caps are "known" to be bright...is there a particular thread that i can refer to to read about it? when i was shopping for caps both the solen and dayton caps had good reviews in the parts express.com website
 
Last edited:
There probably are threads about it, but basically the poly caps have lower esr (equivelant series resistance) than an electrolytic cap, thus increasing the output of the speaker that the cap is connected to. Lower esr by how much? Depends.
 
Found very few threads on Solen caps vs Dayton caps so I might have to start a thread on that subject after I am done with this active crossover thread.
 
z-adamson said:
There probably are threads about it, but basically the poly caps have lower esr (equivelant series resistance) than an electrolytic cap, thus increasing the output of the speaker that the cap is connected to. Lower esr by how much? Depends.
Click to expand...
but don't electrolytic capacitors have really bad tolerances? wouldn't that affect the crossover points and sound also? I might just have to buy some, try them and compare them to the Solens on a different thread.
 
HowlerMonkey said:
but don't electrolytic capacitors have really bad tolerances? wouldn't that affect the crossover points and sound also? I might just have to buy some, try them and compare them to the Solens on a different thread.
Click to expand...
There are electrolytics available on the market with 1/2% to 1% tolerance if that's your thing.
 
HowlerMonkey said:
Found very few threads on Solen caps vs Dayton caps so I might have to start a thread on that subject after I am done with this active crossover thread.
Click to expand...
Film, foil, metalized polypropylene capacitors will all have much lower esr that an electrolytic cap.

When one switches from electrolytic to film/foil/poly it is commonly said that the mids and highs are "opened up".

Dayton vs Solen isn't really the debate at hand. It's more a matter of electrolytic vs everything else.

10% tolerance is fine. If in doubt, measure the capacitance before using. If it seems off, return it / don't use it.

I have had great luck with these ..... https://www.parts-express.com/cat/non-polarized-electrolytic-capacitors/1385

I measure before using and they have always been spot on.
 
z-adamson said:
Film, foil, metalized polypropylene capacitors will all have much lower esr that an electrolytic cap.

When one switches from electrolytic to film/foil/poly it is commonly said that the mids and highs are "opened up".

Dayton vs Solen isn't really the debate at hand. It's more a matter of electrolytic vs everything else.

10% tolerance is fine. If in doubt, measure the capacitance before using. If it seems off, return it / don't use it.

I have had great luck with these ..... https://www.parts-express.com/cat/non-polarized-electrolytic-capacitors/1385

I measure before using and they have always been spot on.
Click to expand...

Great info thanks...You are correct I should have edited my reply: the correct comparison IS metallized poly/film-foil cap (solen/dayton) vs Electrolytic Cap (parts expess). The Solen caps are the only ones I have tried so far but I will try the ones you mentioned above on the other untouched crossover.
 
Last edited:
I finished the active terminal plate last night. But I had a small set back because in the process of installing the terminal plate in the untouched speaker I discovered that the midrange driver sounded scratchy. An edge of the voice coil is rubbing, I am not sure if this had been going on for a while or if I mishandled something recently. I just discovered it because I isolated the drivers to test them independently (note to self: always check voicecoil rubbing on drivers when hooking up used speakers for the first time and take notes). The midrange driver of the other speaker (the patched one) doesn't rub and sounds cleaner. I tested my terminal plate (woofer and midrange circuit only) using the patched midrange and it works well. I will take a closer look at the scratchy midrange this weekend, hopefully the magnet has screws and I can re-center the coil. I will to be extra careful with the tweeter/super tweeter circuits next.
 
I have been listening to the HPM 60's on the active setup with the Rane 23 for a couple of hours now........1000Hz & 3000Hz, crossover points, no delays, 30W per channel, levels matched to my listening position, I might never go back to the passive setup. I will try to record some audio tomorrow morning.
 
Working with Rane AC23 now: 1000Hz, 3000Hz, adjusted the mid and tweeter levels to 80%
30W Woofer,
30W Mid,
30W for Tweeter and Super Tweeter
So far this setup sounds much better than the modified passive crossover I refurbished last week.
My listening room is fairly small and I think I will be able to tune this setup with a mic.
IMG_3294.JPG

IMG_3305.JPG

 
I am not sure what happened but somehow it is almost Christmas and I still have not finished the other speaker....The parts have been ordered at least; I hope to have it finished before NYE and record some sound with both speakers in active mode.
 
I was finally able to complete the modification of the second speaker :)
Now both speakers are hooked to the RANE AC23

My amp has 6 channels only so the Tweeter and Super Tweeter will have a jumper cable between them.

20171228_194459.jpg
20171228_194827.jpg
20171228_194854.jpg
 
I will be dealing with speaker placement, room acoustics and tuning of the crossover next. I will start a new thread for that.
I will record some audio as soon as I can before I get to deep into the acoustics and tuning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom