Advice about modifiying speakers needed

[stubs]

Hi, I'm new to this site, and also to home audio.

I'm trying to start out with a few cheap items, and wish to get them sounding the best they can without speading a fotune etc.

Currently, I have a pair of Eltax "x-treme 400" speakers, being run off a Cambridge Audio A300 & Cambridge Audio P500.

Firstly I would like to know if it is possible to convert the speakers to allow me to bi-amp them? Simply because it seems a waste to me not to using the amplified outputs from the A300. If so, what is involved in doing so?

Secondly, is it worth me doing any sort of bracing within the speakers?.. I had a quick look inside them & they seem to be one big hollow enclosure.

Also, would I benefit from upgrading the drivers &/or tweeters themselves? If so, can anyone reccomend a decent replacment without breaking the bank?


Thanks in advance!
Stu

[sreten]

Hi,

bi-amping is straightforward if the speakers have the right
terminals, and the power amplifiers have the same gain.

Replacing drivers is probably pointless. Is the mid sealed back ?
Some extra bracing might help depends on the overall quality.

/sreten.

[stubs]

Sorry, I forgot to explain.. the speakers currently only have 1 set of terminals i.e. are not bi-wire/bi-amp.. but I wish to know if I can convert them. i.e. buy any compnents needed & re-wire them.

The Mids/Tweeters dont seem to be seperated inside from what I can make out.. would it be worth doing this, or are they designed to use the complete enclosure?

[stubs]

Also, would I benefit anything from fitting floor spikes to the speakers? They are placed on thick carpet at the moment, and it was reccomended by a friend, but I can't imagine it making much of a difference.

[sreten]

Hi,

you would need to split the earth on the crossover board for bass
and the mid/treble sections and add biwire type terminals.

Spikes help. Blutacked to a concrete slab on 3 ball bearing is better.
Or Blutack them to a spiked plinth for more stability.

/sreten.

[stubs]

Originally posted by sreten
Hi,

you would need to split the earth on the crossover board for bass
and the mid/treble sections and add biwire type terminals.

Spikes help. Blutacked to a concrete slab on 3 ball bearing is better.
Or Blutack them to a spiked plinth for more stability.

/sreten.

its as simple as that?? I thought I would have to buy or make new crossovers alltogether!


Cheers mucho!

[sreten]

Originally posted by stubs


its as simple as that?? I thought I would have to buy or make new crossovers alltogether!

Cheers mucho!

Hi,

Assuming that the crossovers are standard parallel topology.
If they are series topology splitting will not be possible.

The two power amplifers need to have the same gain.(or nearly).
The smaller one used for mid/treble, its a good idea to decrease the
value of the input coupling capacitor to reduce bass voltage swings
and prevent excessive clipping, do this and nearly all the time
clipping levels will be determined by the bass section amplifier.

/sreten.

[stubs]

Well now you've put me off doing it! lol