SONIC CAPS or CLARITY CAPS?

dhart86

I am going to upgrade the crossovers on my SDA 1C's soon. In choosing which caps to go with, I am sure that I will not be going with the Solens.

However, I wondered which caps would yield better results between the Sonic Caps and the Clarity Caps.
I have Sonic Caps in my Lsi7 crossover mod and do like the resulting sonics. But I could not help but wondering what people prefer between Sonic and Clarity for the SDA 1C mod.
Any share thoughts on the topic would be appreciated!!!

zingo

Sonicaps are a great combination with Polk speakers. However, many like Clarity Caps, and I have used them with good results before; but not with Polks. I would go with Sonicaps for the price, or Clarity Caps if you want to get the upper dollar components.

Phasewolf

I used both for my sda and they worked out great. I used the sonic for the high frequency and the others for the low.

dhart86

zingo wrote: »

I would go with Sonicaps for the price, or Clarity Caps if you want to get the upper dollar components.

So Clarity Caps are the more expensive cap?

TNHNDYMAN

Clarity Caps have differant levels, some are less expensive and the upper MR's I think are more.

dhart86

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

Clarity Caps have differant levels, some are less expensive and the upper MR's I think are more.

Thanks TNHNDYMAN....
Any sonic differences between them?

F1nut

So Clarity Caps are the more expensive cap?

The Sonicap Gen I and the Clarity ESA's are basically the same price. The Clarity MR's are much more money.

I used the sonic for the high frequency and the others for the low.

The Sonicap's are actually excellent shunt caps.

VR3

FWIW the SA series is the same price as the Sonicap line.

The ESA and MR are higher

dhart86

VR3 wrote: »

FWIW the SA series is the same price as the Sonicap line.

The ESA and MR are higher

Trey,
thanks for the info. Do you have a preference in modding SDA crossovers?

F1nut

VR3 wrote: »

FWIW the SA series is the same price as the Sonicap line.

The ESA and MR are higher

I beg to differ. The SA series, even though they are 630V are cheaper. The Sonicap's (200V) are actually slightly more than the ESA 250V caps. The ESA 630V version is more money than Sonicap, but there's absolutely no reason to use 630V caps in a Polk crossover. Besides, the 630V versions of the SA and ESA series are huge.

Example:

Sonicap 18uF (200V) - $29.15
Clarity ESA 18uF (250V) - $26.04
Clairty ESA 18.2uF (630V) - $15.60

headrott

Clarity Cap ESA's and you will be set, IMO.

Edit: and I would use Duelund Cast resistors. There is a definate improvement in transparency, clarity, imaging, and detail compared to sonicaps. I do like Sonicaps/Mills however, but I like Clarity Cap ESA's and Duelund Resistors more.

audiocr381ve

I've tried both Sonicaps and Clarity Caps in my SDA 2B's. Can't go wrong either way, they're both wonderful.

F1nut

Correction to my post above. It should be as follows;

Sonicap 18uF (200V) - $29.15
Clarity ESA 18uF (250V) - $26.04
Clairty SA 18.2uF (630V) - $15.60

I HATE that we can't edit after 20 minutes.

VR3

I don't count the 250v Clarity Cap as I don't have access to them...

I am a Clarity Fan 10000%

Mike Reeter

I've had five sets of modded SDA's over the years, four of which had Sonic Caps in the mix. I recently had Trey rebuild a set using Clarity Caps, and I am very happy with their performance.

One day I will be replacing some of the Sonic Caps with Clarity.

TennMan

Mike Reeter wrote: »

I've had five sets of modded SDA's over the years, four of which had Sonic Caps in the mix. I recently had Trey rebuild a set using Clarity Caps, and I am very happy with their performance.

One day I will be replacing some of the Sonic Caps with Clarity.

Which version of Clarity did you use?

Mike Reeter

TennMan wrote: »

Which version of Clarity did you use?

Trey used the ESA series in the tweeter circuit and a combo of SA & PX in the other circuits. Here is a thread with some pics http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?136970-Polk-Audio-SDA-SRS-3.1TL-Crossover-Modification-Thread

gimpod

Somethings to think about. IMO Sonicap Gen 1's have a more mellow/warm sound where ClairityCap's seem to be a bit to sterile/clinical for my tastes. Also with ClairityCap's it hard to get the exact values you need especially in the ESA line.

I'm not knocking ClairtyCap's there a good cap but just not my cup of tea. (Sorry Trey:redface:)

Unless you have VERY deep pockets I would pass on the ClairtyCap MR's & Duelund resistors. The Duelund's run about $50.00 each and the MR's are big money, a 12uf ClarityCap MR runs $185.30 ea.

I did a price comparison between Sonicap/Mills & ClairtyCap ESA/Deulund to redo a pair of SDA 1C's.

Just for Cap's and Resistors only
Sonicap/Mills = $258.52/39.60 for a total of $298.12
ClairtyCap ESA/Deulund = $413.26/$412.22 for a total of $825.48 (a lot of the cap's have a 8 week lead time as most places don't stock them or are special order only same with the resistors)

In the end I still think the Sonicap/Mills combo for SDA's are the best bang for your buck.

Just my $0.02

headrott

Tony is right. The Sonicaps/Mills do sound warmer than the Clarity Cap ESA's and Duelund resistors. However, the Sonicap/Mills (IMO) sound a little too warm and they lose detail and clarity. The ESA's and Duelund resistors are more sterile sounding, but (IMO) not too sterile. They are pretty neutral (again IMO) and have a slight warmth to them. The detail, imaging, transparency and clarity are significantly better than Sonicap/Mills. Tony is also correct about cost and difficiculty of obtaining parts from Clarity Caps and less so, Duelund. It is definately worth the cost and effort if these 1C's are your final speaker you plan on using (again IMO).

VR3

I concur with Headrott, I feel the Sonicap/Mills combo is incredibly veiled...

As far as obtaining Clarity Cap parts, you can acquire parts within 5% of the value you need with Clarity Cap... have not ran across a modification yet I could not make work...

F1nut

I feel the Sonicap/Mills combo is incredibly musical...

Fixed that one for you because I don't like ice picks in my ears.

headrott

F1nut wrote: »

Fixed that one for you because I don't like ice picks in my ears.

Ice picks?!?! At least the Clarity Caps won't put cotton balls in your ears!

Seriously, I feel the Clarity Caps/Duelunds are not bright, or overly sterile but certainly not as warm as the Sonicap/Mills. As stated above: the detail, imaging, transparency and clarity are better than Sonicap/Mills. Neutral with a slight warmth is how I describe the Calrity Cap ESA's/Duelund resistors.

PolkieMan

I am with Tony. Besides If $300 for caps and resistors plus $100 for the new boards is not enough then maybe the MW drivers need to be looked at to see if their so not something better out there.

gimpod wrote: »

Somethings to think about. IMO Sonicap Gen 1's have a more mellow/warm sound where ClairityCap's seem to be a bit to sterile/clinical for my tastes. Also with ClairityCap's it hard to get the exact values you need especially in the ESA line.

I'm not knocking ClairtyCap's there a good cap but just not my cup of tea. (Sorry Trey:redface:)

Unless you have VERY deep pockets I would pass on the ClairtyCap MR's & Duelund resistors. The Duelund's run about $50.00 each and the MR's are big money, a 12uf ClarityCap MR runs $185.30 ea.

I did a price comparison between Sonicap/Mills & ClairtyCap ESA/Deulund to redo a pair of SDA 1C's.

Just for Cap's and Resistors only
Sonicap/Mills = $258.52/39.60 for a total of $298.12
ClairtyCap ESA/Deulund = $413.26/$412.22 for a total of $825.48 (a lot of the cap's have a 8 week lead time as most places don't stock them or are special order only same with the resistors)

In the end I still think the Sonicap/Mills combo for SDA's are the best bang for your buck.

Just my $0.02

tophatjohnny

Wow!!!:cheesygrin:

Toolfan66

Sonicaps + Duelunds = Musical Bliss

Duelund Resistors are the big game changer here, yes expensive, but worth every penny. If you want to stretch your wallet a little more, I would do the Duelunds over the ESA line and stick with Sonicaps, and put that extra money into upgrading the inductors..

Just my opinion..

dhart86

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Sonicaps + Duelunds = Musical Bliss

Just my opinion..

You guys present very good arguments both ways..........I kinda like to hear the combo Toolfan suggests.

As mentioned on a previous post, the SDA 1c will be a final keeper speaker choice, so I really want the crossover mod to provide the best sound to my ears

PolkMaster1

For those who want to upgrade their SRS 1.2TLs with Clarity Cap MR Series and Duelund Carbon Cast Silver Lead Resistors - the cost would be:
Duelund Resistors: $515.40
Clarity Cap MR: $1174.06 - 400V Series
Total Cost: $1689.46

We know Toolfan66 recommends Duelunds - I believe he has them in use.
Does anyone have any experience with the MR Series Caps?

It would be somewhat "easy" to replace the Mills Reisistors in my board I got from Gimpod should I go for the Duelunds. However, the caps would be a bit of a challenge - I bonded them to the board using hot glue.

And more importantly, does VR3 sell the MR series Caps?

If one wants to cut costs while trying Clarity Cap MR Series, one could go the route by replacing the driver caps which are two - but there is only one value available from Clarity Cap that can be replaced. So you would use a Clarity Cap and Sonic Cap for the drivers, while using the three Sonic Caps for the tweeters. What do others think of mixing Sonic Caps with Clarity Caps?
Or maybe it would be best to replace the three Tweeter Caps with CC-MR Caps in exchange for the Sonic Caps while leaving the Sonic Caps in place for the drivers.

I sense a new years resolution coming on - replace the Mills Resistors for Duelunds.

I need cheaper hobbies.

VR3

I do sell the MR series

One thing to consider is they will not even fit on the GIMPOD boards - you would have to do something like my castle design and float a perfboard over the GIMPOD board for them to fit without being a mountain!

VR3

Clear out ur pm box Polkmaster

Toolfan66

PolkMaster1 wrote: »

For those who want to upgrade their SRS 1.2TLs with Clarity Cap MR Series and Duelund Carbon Cast Silver Lead Resistors - the cost would be:
Duelund Resistors: $515.40
Clarity Cap MR: $1174.06 - 400V Series
Total Cost: $1689.46

We know Toolfan66 recommends Duelunds - I believe he has them in use.
Does anyone have any experience with the MR Series Caps?

It would be somewhat "easy" to replace the Mills Reisistors in my board I got from Gimpod should I go for the Duelunds. However, the caps would be a bit of a challenge - I bonded them to the board using hot glue.

And more importantly, does VR3 sell the MR series Caps?

If one wants to cut costs while trying Clarity Cap MR Series, one could go the route by replacing the driver caps which are two - but there is only one value available from Clarity Cap that can be replaced. So you would use a Clarity Cap and Sonic Cap for the drivers, while using the three Sonic Caps for the tweeters. What do others think of mixing Sonic Caps with Clarity Caps?
Or maybe it would be best to replace the three Tweeter Caps with CC-MR Caps in exchange for the Sonic Caps while leaving the Sonic Caps in place for the drivers.

I sense a new years resolution coming on - replace the Mills Resistors for Duelunds.

I need cheaper hobbies.

I would try the MR series if they could be had at a better cost..

I have wanted to do this for sometime and since they are so big I wanted to go external with the crossovers. Most of my money this last year for modding has gone to the Camaro..

PolkMaster1

Toolfan66 wrote: »

I would try the MR series if they could be had at a better cost..

I have wanted to do this for sometime and since they are so big I wanted to go external with the crossovers. Most of my money this last year for modding has gone to the Camaro..

Did you upgrade your Camaro with Sonic Caps and Mills Resistors?