Tannoy HPD385 improvements

[wixy]

Hi all,

I've recently purchased some Tannoy HPD385's (early non-A version) with original crossovers. They are in 115l bass reflex boxes and have recently had the surrounds replaced.

I'm enjoying their smooth sound but am now feeling it's a little too smooth. The midrange and highs seem a bit dull and recessed.

Is there anything I can do to improve the midrange/highs?

Would replacing the capacitors and resistors help much?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Charles Darwin]

Replace the caps as they are long past their sell-by date, in fact they are well passed the use-by date too.

The resistors should be quality wire-wound jobs and should not need replacing.

You could also bypass the switches in your favoured position but change caps first.
I'd recommend joining the Tannoy Yahoo group, there are some real experts on there and they are usually very helpful.
Just this morning somebody posted that he measured the caps on his HPDs and they were up to 40% off their supposed values.

Don't fiddle with the autoformer, they are very rare indeed!
Although one of the members got Brian Sowter to reverse engineer them and they might be available again soon at around £80 each.
But nobody really expects a massive improvement over Tannoys originals.

[wixy]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll definately replace the caps. Any suggestions on brands? Thinking Mundorf Mcap Supremes which are available locally for a reasonable price, but would prefer cheaper options if they are just as good.

I'm also thinking to replace the binding posts.

[Charles Darwin]

Sorry, no idea about brands. Just use decent but not ridiculously priced film caps (polypropylene or mylar) rather than electrolytic ones. Should cost about £2-5 each depending on size and voltage.

[AndrewT]

Don't go exotic.
Good, made to specification, industrial types of plastic film capacitors are good enough.