Polk RTI A9 Home Theatre setup - Power Amp Crown XLS 2002 vs Emotiva xpa-2

JCsound

gp4jesus wrote: »

JC: "...to fully gut* the original tweeter from its housing and permanently implement the change. "
How tough was that*?

Also where did you buy those Outriggers? I want to fit them to my 'A7s.

Finally, I upgraded any and all wire inside* that carries midrange w/AR 12 gage; bass drivers w/8 gage. I did not upgrade any wire between XOs & tweeters - I think its adequate (oops?) I immediately noticed fuller male voices (CC) and tighter, "thumpier" drums, etc (LCR)
* all speakers

On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest it is about a 7. You will need a dremel tool, and once you start to remove the original tweeter there is no going back. It will be ruined.

JCsound

go4jesus. PM me and I'll give you the info for the outriggers.

JCsound

Oh by the way I meant to say 10 being the hardest.

gp4jesus

Tweeters (or most anything): you get what you pay for

JCsound

DSkip wrote: »

I don't get why you would buy a speaker then replace the parts in an attempt to make it better. You devalue the speaker for good reason. It's like putting big slicks on a stock civic. 'Better' only applies if it fits the design principle of the product.

Sell the speakers and get a new one that fits your idea of good sound. In the instance where an upgrade is available, either direct from the company or from a very reputable speaker designer, then go at it. Otherwise, let it be. There are a plethora of reasons you don't just go slapping new drivers in a speaker.

Why would Saleen grab a perfectly good mustang and change it, or Hennessey take apart a brand new dodge viper or AMG change almost everything in a perfectly good Mercedes Benz?

Because there is always room for improvement. The reason why Polk didn't do certain things to their speakers is not because they are perfect the way they are, it is because making more improvements to their speakers would not only cost more and have to be sold at a different maket value, which will throw off their financial goals but would also compete with their higher end model.

I'm not really planing on selling my speakers, but if I ever do..... It would be to someone that can appreciate the changes made to them.

Respectfully,

JC

JCsound

DSkip. One does not need to be a speaker GURU to experiment with speakers. Besides, you have no idea what my background or knowledge about speakers is.
You'll be surprised what one might find through experimenting.

gp4jesus

"DSkip wrote: »

...realize that what I may notice as a severe detriment in change may not even be noticeable to you... ...I like ribbon tweeters, but not in conventional boxes. Why? There is a massive integration issue between the airiness of the tweeter and the confinement of the woofer. Many do not pick up on this issue...

...or can't hear it. I envy you, Skip. I'm 58 and counting.

My "maturity" and exposure to concerts, extended good & not-so-good-but-loud car stereo tuning sessions, & high powered 2ch/HT has taken its toll. So unfortunately for me, it's unlikely I could appreciate what a ribbon could deliver mounted & paired correctly.

Cheers

F1nut

gp4jesus wrote: »

BEAUTIFUL work!! Well thought out.

F1nut wrote: »

This is a mod I did on my RTiA7/CSiA6/FXiA6's for much the same reason, the tweeter was too hot*. I felt the mod** addressed that issue quite nicely.

You didn't change any values - the component** upgrade** cooled the tweeters' "heat*?"

Other than getting rid of the stock bypass cap, no. Bypass caps
impart nasty artifacts and are one of the reasons for a bright top end.

gp4jesus

F1nut wrote: »

...Other than getting rid of the stock bypass cap, no. Bypass caps
impart nasty artifacts and are one of the reasons for a bright top end.

So the BP* cap* is at least partially to blame for edgy top end? IIRC the BP* cap* value .47uf?

If true, as a interim measure, till I have 2-4 uninterrupted hours to triamp** my LR and/or CC, my next day off I'm getting busy w/my soldering iron, sending that puppy* to a land fill!!
** I have everything BUT the "2-4 uninterrupted hours!" Several have given me some ideas to do** a few little itty-bitty things a little itty bit better.

Tony

F1nut

IMO, yes it is partially to blame.

JCsound

gp4jesus wrote: »

F1nut wrote: »

...Other than getting rid of the stock bypass cap, no. Bypass caps
impart nasty artifacts and are one of the reasons for a bright top end.

So the BP* cap* is at least partially to blame for edgy topend? IIRC the BP* cap* value .47uf?

If true, as a interim measure, till I have 2-4 uninterrupted hours to triamp** my LR and/or CC, my next day off I'm getting busy w/my soldering iron, sending that puppy* to a land fill!!
** I have everything BUT the "2-4 uninterrupted hours!"

Tony

Tony, that sounds very interesting. I'm curious to know how the Rti A9's/A7's would sound tri-amped. Do you have an electronic 3 way crossover, which amps will you be using?

JCsound

Has anyone here tried the new Crown XLS series amps?. I'm curious about the new DSP changes they made to them. Specially the new band pass they added to them.

mdaudioguy

JCsound wrote: »

Has anyone here tried the new Crown XLS series amps?. I'm curious about the new DSP changes they made to them. Specially the new band pass they added to them.

I've used Crown XLS1500 amps to run some fairly large JBL PA speakers, and they perform quite well in that role - i.e., plenty of power from such a lightweight box. And power is what you notice from pro gear. I'm not convinced they have the detail or clarity for a home system, but I'll admit I haven't tried it - just my gut feeling. I've only run them full range, however, so haven't fooled with the various crossover modes.

JCsound

mdaudioguy, the XLS are very powerful indeed. I own an XLS 1500 but I was referring at the new series. "XLS 1502"

mdaudioguy

JCsound wrote: »

mdaudioguy, the XLS are very powerful indeed. I own an XLS 1500 but I was referring at the new series. "XLS 1502"

OIC. Didn't realize the DriveCore 2 series was out.

gp4jesus

JCsound wrote: »

I'm curious to know how the Rti A9's/A7's would sound tri-amped.

Me too (A7)! Let me give you some less-than-straight-forward facts concerning the CSi A6:
mids XO'd/LP'd @ 1.5hz & 3.8hz.
tweeter XO'd/HP'd @ 2.2Khz.

While I hope I'm wrong, I believe the 'A9 MTM* may be "XO'd" in a similar** fashion. If that's true, it* requires its own XO w/independent HP & LP settings fed by a 3 way splitter.
** different frequencies of course

JCsound wrote: »

Do you have an electronic 3 way crossover?

Using one now* for 2 way XO duties between mid & bass drivers. I have another in reserve for my CC.
* check my sig

JCsound wrote: »

Which amps will you be using?

Again, check my sig though a Rotel RB-985 (not listed) is under consideration, too. Right now time & QUALITY solitude prevent evaluation of the best choice between the 855 & 985 for LR (MT only) versus CC duties. Each set of LR bass drivers will have their own amp. Likely the 2 Belles 1s* but not before I give Mackie 1400 a whirl.

Crazy? Maybe... ...but I have the gear & "this isn't my first rodeo" bi/tri or quad* amping. "Effortless" @ any volume level described my HT* way back in '94-'95

Geoff4rfc

F1nut wrote: »

To view the photos, click on the shaded gray boxes at the bottom of the pages.

Saw the pics, pretty sweet indeed, would love to hear the sound!!

JCsound

I finally got the courage and the time to play with my speakers again, I removed the LP crossover.......holy $&+t! I'm running the XLS 1500 with the lowpass crossover set at 125hz and it made a huge difference. It is like the amp is finally able to grab the speakers by the balls and show them who the boss is. Much more dynamic and punchy sound. In my opinion, worth the time and effort!

gp4jesus

To JC: YYUUUUUPP!!! PM sent

JCsound

Man I'm loving the new bass, I just have to do the other side now.

gp4jesus

To JC: YYYUUUUUUUUUUUPP!!!!!
Another PM, my brother

gp4jesus

JCsound wrote: »

Man I'm loving the new bass, I just have to do the other side now.

Don't jump on the other speaker just yet. While I'm confident you ARE hearing "betta bass," take little time to verify it's truly "mo' betta'" and not just different.

Spend time listening to just the bottoms, together carefully balanced L to R and separately. The no-filter speaker (NFS) is noticably more percussive, dynamic, or "thumpy."

Try these 2 simple tests:
1. set your amp's channel gains the same. Slowly turn the "V" up. As you move past the 1/2 way point you may hear the NFS get louder than the other.
2. as you move up to insane V levels, well recorded drums or other "bass torture" passages may cause the stocker to make non-musical noises while the NFS just "hangs in there."

Finally, when you "do" the other* speaker*, replace the mid & bass driver wire too, per my long-winded PM, but only in that one*, & conduct tests 1 & 2 again.

Expect the rewired speaker to be "the loud(er)" speaker at some point during those tests. During test 2, anticipate it* to "hang in there!"

Cheers Tony

PS: 12 ga should do for the mids but check my PM on where to buy heavier for the bass drivers.

JCsound

Thanks for the tips Tony. I have been doing A-B comparisons for two days now. It is without doubt an improvement, I replaced the woofer wires with 12awg also. I will be doing the other speaker today, can't wait to hear the sound with both speakers modified. I look forward to hearing about your speakers being triamped.

Anyone here tried the new crown XLS amps?
They are so new I can really find much reviews online.

gp4jesus

I'm thrilled about your "new" speakers! Have you determined if the rewire netted improvements after removing the bass LP?

Do you have or plan to add a sub to your system? If yes, then I'd say you're finished w/ your system's response below ~500hz.

JCsound

Honestly I can't really tell if the wires made a difference, since I removed the LP crossover and did the wiring at the same time. I do have a sub, but there absolutely no need for it with music. This speakers make so much clean, loud bass I sometimes have to check and make sure my sub is off.
I have been looking into minidsp, you can do some crazy stuff with it apparently. I might go that route when I finally have the time and courage to remove the rest of the crossovers.

gp4jesus

gp4jesus

PM sent

gp4jesus

PM sent to JC sound a while back

Nightfall

DSkip wrote: »

After a few more speakers, I realized what it was.

gp4jesus

DSkip wrote: »

...It is one of many aha moments I've had that led to me growing as a critical listener. They still happen to me.

LOL! Me too!