Recapping Speaker Crossovers-What Type of Capacitor?

[EpicEagle]

So I have been reading many different opinions on capacitors. The concensus seems to be non-polarized electrolytic capacitors are cheap, won't last long and should only be used in cheap speakers that you don't care that much about. Film or foil capacitors are the better option and should be used on valuable speakers. Here is my question. If old tech, non-polarized electrolytic capacitors were used 30 to 40 years ago and lasted 20 to 30 years...some longer, surely the new NP electolytics will last just as long or even longer? I am wondering why I should spend $150 on foil or film per speaker instead of $15 per speaker for NP electrolytic?

 

[Yvan_donald]

Hi and welcome as a new member, what type? NP electrlytics how long they keep 100% ? Not forever for shure, their value drift with time, so don't really ear the difference when it's happen. In the contrairy film keep the same value as long you don't overdrive it. Many price in film or better foil capacitor's, that's why the best one improved the overhall sound of a speaker's, sometime not by much, but it's to you to decide how much to invest in it. The speaker's have to be very good before investing to improved them. The decision belong to each in everyone of us. Nobody can answer your question. Best regards, Yvan.

 

[F1nut]

So I have been reading many different opinions on capacitors. The concensus seems to be non-polarized electrolytic capacitors are cheap, won't last long and should only be used in cheap speakers that you don't care that much about. Film or foil capacitors are the better option and should be used on valuable speakers. Here is my question. If old tech, non-polarized electrolytic capacitors were used 30 to 40 years ago and lasted 20 to 30 years...some longer, surely the new NP electolytics will last just as long or even longer? I am wondering why I should spend $150 on foil or film per speaker instead of $15 per speaker for NP electrolytic?

Electrolytic caps are used for 2 reasons and 2 reasons only. They are cheap and plentiful.

 

[mcgjohn]

So I have been reading many different opinions on capacitors. The concensus seems to be non-polarized electrolytic capacitors are cheap, won't last long and should only be used in cheap speakers that you don't care that much about. Film or foil capacitors are the better option and should be used on valuable speakers. Here is my question. If old tech, non-polarized electrolytic capacitors were used 30 to 40 years ago and lasted 20 to 30 years...some longer, surely the new NP electolytics will last just as long or even longer? I am wondering why I should spend $150 on foil or film per speaker instead of $15 per speaker for NP electrolytic?

Welcome. It really depends on the quality of the speaker and drivers as to the use of better film caps. As @F1nut noted, NP electrolytics are inexpensive so are commonly used when a certain price point has to be reached. What speakers are you considering doing this upgrade on?