Generically, charge coupling is a method of using a DC voltage source to bias or “charge” the critical caps of a speaker xover such that the voltage or charge on the dielectric never reverses. (I think “dielectric biasing” is a better name for the method but…) While the concept is pretty simple and not too difficult to implement in most designs, the benefits are not universally appreciated. A quick search will provide lots of info. I think even Mr. “No Wank “ Zilch played with the idea so there could be objective merit to it. I haven’t taken the plunge personally because I’m not sure the benefits are clear-cut enough and in most cases it requires that you double the number of xover caps and increase the values of those doubled caps 2X plus the need for a biasing battery and isolation resistors. IOW, added complexity and cost.
Very well put. It can be a frightfully expensive project with complicated (read many caps) crossovers. The interesting thing with Econowave is the fact that the crossovers are relatively low parts count, so not very expensive to try.
The resistors, pots, and coils stay the same. Caps are doubled in value, and then 2 of that value are used, with the + of the 9 volt battery connected at the junction between them, - is connected to ground. Separate batteries for each section if bi wired speaker terminals on speakers. Battery life is basically what ever the shelf life of the battery is.
JBL uses this method in many of its very highest end speakers. I'm glad to explain what little I know and what my results have been with it, it's just that last time many jumped in to argue the merits, and I dont care to do that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course. I'm bringing it up if anyone's interested.
The results I got, with the original crossover and the Selenium 220 ti and JBL waveguide, were pleasant, yet not of the "jaw dropping" category. What I noticed most was an improvement in what I always refered to as a "fizziness" riding on the top end, and occasionally a little lower. The CC seemed to remove this characteristic to great degree, making the 220ti smoother and more focused at the same time. I found it extremely worthwhile myself, and in this case wasnt terrifically expensive. That said,
I still went with the DE 250 over the Selenium and have no regrets, and I havent implemented CC on it. It doesnt seem to suffer from the "fizziness" as much, but I would like to try it.
In sum, noticeable and pleasant improvement (IMO), not a drop dead WOW! difference, but noticeable and pleasant. Not as big a difference b/w DE 250 and the Selenium 220 ti, but along those lines.
Hope this helps, I believe the index has a link to Zilch's crossover, its a good study, as it mixes and matches caps to get the correct values, a lesson in it self.
Here's the link:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101428&d=1217293889
Russellc
