Quality of Passive Xover Parts - Audible?

Horizons · 4th May 2009, 08:28 PM

My current passive xover uses decent quality caps, resistors, and coils. I made sure that I used very low DSR coils but did not go for the high end resistors and caps.

In my experience, the high end caps/resistors thang is questionable at best.

Has anyone done true blind testing of passive xover components?

Opinions?

Cal Weldon · 4th May 2009, 09:55 PM

Get ready for a can of worms. You aren't likely to get a consensus.

Mr Evil · 4th May 2009, 10:05 PM

Anything that results in variation in frequency response is potentially audible, such as poor tolerance and inductor resistance.

Robh3606 · 5th May 2009, 01:37 AM

Yeah no it doesn't really matter what we think. If you want to find out pick up a soldering iron and build a couple of simple networks and see what you think.

Just use a simple 2 way as you test case. As long as the cap values don't get large it won't cost all that much to try the boutique caps. Even with a 18db network you are only talking a max of 3 pairs of caps as long as there are no zobels.

Rob

BHTX · 5th May 2009, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cal Weldon
Get ready for a can of worms. You aren't likely to get a consensus.

Agreed 100%.

I just say, use common sense and don't spend outrageous amounts. Use decent reasonably priced components, nothing more, nothing less.

qquickk · 5th May 2009, 03:26 PM

I've auditioned quite a few on my project with Esotec mid and high with C-Quenze 18 low. The mid is not as critical as high, but still important. Humblehomemadehifi has some great info. If proper timber of orchestral instruments is important, then anything under $45, except ASC or Obbligatto is dreadful.

bear · 6th May 2009, 05:37 AM

A whole lot depends on what you can hear, and the absolute quality of the drivers, the cabinet and the rest of the system including the room, and the source material...

For most folks the effects of xover components are less substantial than other factors in the signal chain.

For me personally, I have found that depending on the application it ranges between inaudible and very critical. Ymmv.

Trying and testing is one way to find out...

_-_-bear

4th May 2009, 08:28 PM	#1
Horizons diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nevada	Quality of Passive Xover Parts - Audible? My current passive xover uses decent quality caps, resistors, and coils. I made sure that I used very low DSR coils but did not go for the high end resistors and caps. In my experience, the high end caps/resistors thang is questionable at best. Has anyone done true blind testing of passive xover components? Opinions?

4th May 2009, 09:55 PM	#2
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Get ready for a can of worms. You aren't likely to get a consensus. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

4th May 2009, 10:05 PM	#3
Mr Evil diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Behind you	Anything that results in variation in frequency response is potentially audible, such as poor tolerance and inductor resistance. __________________ https://mrevil.asvachin.eu/

6th May 2009, 05:37 AM	#7
bear diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York State USA	A whole lot depends on what you can hear, and the absolute quality of the drivers, the cabinet and the rest of the system including the room, and the source material... For most folks the effects of xover components are less substantial than other factors in the signal chain. For me personally, I have found that depending on the application it ranges between inaudible and very critical. Ymmv. Trying and testing is one way to find out... _-_-bear __________________ _-_-bear http://www.bearlabs.com ...ur feeback please - like/dislike my what I have written? PM/email tnx. --

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5th May 2009, 01:37 AM	#4
Robh3606 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Destiny	Yeah no it doesn't really matter what we think. If you want to find out pick up a soldering iron and build a couple of simple networks and see what you think. Just use a simple 2 way as you test case. As long as the cap values don't get large it won't cost all that much to try the boutique caps. Even with a 18db network you are only talking a max of 3 pairs of caps as long as there are no zobels. Rob

5th May 2009, 03:26 PM	#6
qquickk diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Illinois	I've auditioned quite a few on my project with Esotec mid and high with C-Quenze 18 low. The mid is not as critical as high, but still important. Humblehomemadehifi has some great info. If proper timber of orchestral instruments is important, then anything under $45, except ASC or Obbligatto is dreadful.

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