Crossover capacitor voltage

[andykap]

Hi,
I am thinking of replacing the capacitors in my crossover. Does it matter if I replace a 5.6uf 250v with a 5.6uf 400, 600 or 630 (v) capacitor?
Will it cause any ill effects?

Thanks in advance

[KatieandDad]

Going up in voltage shouldn't affect them too much but try to stay reasonably close. Also match both L&R speakers as different caps may have different voices.

In a crossover they are usually bipolars or film types anyway. However, in a DC environment you do have to consider the DC potential across the cap. Some caps may not exude their full capacitance with only a small DC voltage across them. IOW, the electrolytic boundary that establishes the capacitance is in itself governed by the DC voltage across it.

[andykap]

Originally Posted by KatieandDad

Going up in voltage shouldn't affect them too much but try to stay reasonably close. Also match both L&R speakers as different caps may have different voices.

In a crossover they are usually bipolars or film types anyway. However, in a DC environment you do have to consider the DC potential across the cap. Some caps may not exude their full capacitance with only a small DC voltage across them. IOW, the electrolytic boundary that establishes the capacitance is in itself governed by the DC voltage across it.

I am replacing the electrolytic as well but I have found a matching UF/V and voltage. So it's better to try the 400v instead of the 600 or 630?

[speakerdoctor]

The short answer to your original question is NO! Buy whatever voltage you want as long as you don't go below the original voltage - (you probably won't).

[tvrgeek]

In theory, the higher voltage may have lower distortion. Films will be closer to the design value than electro's, don't age, and are far cleaner. (That electro spec may be -20, +200%) I find even a cheap film to be better than any electro. My verdict is out on high price caps. Is a Clarity really better than a Dayton? I am not sure.

[speakerdoctor]

Others here have differing opinions about the relationship between voltage rating and cap performance.

Tony Gee's Capacitor page updated..

Why use High Voltage rated caps in Xover?

[andykap]

Interesting read on Tony Gee. I think I will get a low and High voltage cap and test.

[tuantran]

I like to use 250V metalized film capacitors for speaker crossovers because they are smaller sizes, they cost less, and they are good enough to handle signals from amplifiers. My favorite metalized film capacitor is Clarity Cap ESA 250V capacitor.

[andykap]

Originally Posted by tuantran

I like to use 250V metalized film capacitors for speaker crossovers because they are smaller sizes, they cost less, and they are good enough to handle signals from amplifiers. My favorite metalized film capacitor is Clarity Cap ESA 250V capacitor.

I was thinking about using the ESA and bypass it with the Mundorf Supreme.

[tuantran]

Please do not bypass any capacitor. The bypasses all sound bad to me. You can use Clarity Cap ESA or Mundorf Supreme but do not bypass them by the other one.
Capacitors: Sonicap vs. V-Cap OIMP vs. Multicap Vs. Mundorf on 10 Audio