Making external passive crossovers?

thetawave2
thetawave2 Posts: 268
edited September 2012 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I'm planning my first crossover upgrade, i.e. replacing the caps and resistors in my Tannoy D100 standmounts. I've been playing with the idea of making passive external networks since I've heard it's good to free the crossover components from the vibrations and pressure waves present inside the speaker. I could easily attach these project boxes to the rears of the stands I built with velcro or by some other means where they would be safe and visually unobtrusive. The crossover is simple enough where it would be fairly small even with upgraded capacitors.

Would it make sense to mount each new crossover network in a Radio Shack project box externally? Or would it be better to put the crossover network with the new components back into the speaker cabinets?
My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
Post edited by thetawave2 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,747
    edited August 2012
    I have done both

    I honestly dont think there is much reason to do external unless you are doing the following -

    1) Plan on tweaking more
    2) Wont fit back in
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thetawave2
    thetawave2 Posts: 268
    edited August 2012
    I've browsed some of your threads and ogled plenty of your crossover photos, VR3, and I had hoped you'd weigh in on this haha

    I'm not much of a tweaker (yet), and I don't think space will be a huge issue. Sounds like we're gonna keep things internal.

    Thanks for your input!
    My Stereo: Tannoy D100s, Yaqin MC-100B, VPI Traveler, Dynavector 10x5 MC Phono Cartridge, heavily modified Yaqin MS-22B phono preamp, TEAC EQA-20 equalizer, Belkin PureAV PF30 Power Conditioner, Canare 4s11 speaker cables, Custom dust cover from DigitalDeckCovers
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,747
    edited August 2012
    No problem...

    Just to point out negatives to external crossovers...

    You will have to run wires to EVERY woofer... so for some this means four... five.. six runs - you have to have a way to have a connector on the side so obviously buying connections for all for all of these wires adds alot to the costs...

    Just alot of work for no real gain in the end sonically :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    You will have to run wires to EVERY woofer... so for some this means four... five.. six runs - you have to have a way to have a connector on the side so obviously buying connections for all for all of these wires adds alot to the costs...

    Just alot of work for no real gain in the end sonically :)
    Not always, on both counts. :wink:
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,747
    edited August 2012
    Ok... unless they are run in parallel or something but... USUALLY ;)

    You would have to have the ears of a computer to distinguish between a crossover mounted internally and externally... lol
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited September 2012
    I would wonder if having to make all these extra connections might be a disadvantage when compared to hard wiring an internal crossover?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2012
    As long as you use good quality connectors such as copper binding posts or Speakon connectors, it shouldn't matter.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2012
    If you are moving crossovers external to minimize vibrations, you could also resin pot them like Wilson and others do. Probably works well, but isn't very good for modding those XOs in the future... :cheesygrin:
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter