Have just acquired a pair of Technics SB C-250 vintage speakers.
Generally they’re positively reviewed and I’d like to get them performing at their optimum.
2 Questions:
-What is the key quality one should seek in capacitor being used in a loudspeaker crossover (low leakage? or something else?) Please feel free to recommend a Brand and series name.
-Also, has anyone changed the caps in this particular speaker or any others and heard a clear improvement?
Actually, if the existing caps test ‘ok’ on a cheap transistor tester.. is there any benefit to changing them?
Generally they’re positively reviewed and I’d like to get them performing at their optimum.
2 Questions:
-What is the key quality one should seek in capacitor being used in a loudspeaker crossover (low leakage? or something else?) Please feel free to recommend a Brand and series name.
-Also, has anyone changed the caps in this particular speaker or any others and heard a clear improvement?
Actually, if the existing caps test ‘ok’ on a cheap transistor tester.. is there any benefit to changing them?
First, check to see what Technics have fitted - probably NP electrolytic capacitors.
Technics will have taken the ESR of the capacitor into consideration when designing the crossover, so you may be best to substitute like for like.
You may change the sound for better of worse by using low ESR polyproplylene film capacitors instead - only substitution will tell if you like the result.
Technics will have taken the ESR of the capacitor into consideration when designing the crossover, so you may be best to substitute like for like.
You may change the sound for better of worse by using low ESR polyproplylene film capacitors instead - only substitution will tell if you like the result.
Attachments
Thanks Galu.
Good advice.This is the crossover for the bigger brother 3 way SB C-350, but it provides a guide to the capacitors originally used.
I can see BP on the side of a couple of these. Does anyone know what's a similar contemporary type to these originals?
Good advice.This is the crossover for the bigger brother 3 way SB C-350, but it provides a guide to the capacitors originally used.
I can see BP on the side of a couple of these. Does anyone know what's a similar contemporary type to these originals?
These are bipolar (BP) electrolytic capacitors - also known as non-polar (NP) electrolytic capacitors.
There is unlikely to be anything wrong with them as the speaker is not exactly what you would call "vintage".
If you insist on replacing them, search for radial bipolar electrolytic capacitors. Radial - that is if the capacitors look the same on your crossover.
There is unlikely to be anything wrong with them as the speaker is not exactly what you would call "vintage".
If you insist on replacing them, search for radial bipolar electrolytic capacitors. Radial - that is if the capacitors look the same on your crossover.
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Like these radial bipolar electrolytics:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283551400302?hash=item4204fb016e:g:r5sAAOSwe5tdJiNa
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283551400302?hash=item4204fb016e:g:r5sAAOSwe5tdJiNa
those green nichicon es capacitors are indeed bipolar , but they are Not suppose to be used in loudspeaker crossover ,
but DB caps are .
https://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/products/alm_mini/index.html
but DB caps are .
https://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/products/alm_mini/index.html
The "Muse" capacitors are said to be suitable for "audio signal circuits".
But, the world's your oyster! 😀
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/nichicon.html
But, the world's your oyster! 😀
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/nichicon.html
asuslover is saying that the DB (and GB) types are designed specifically for loudspeaker crossovers.
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/nichicon_gbdb.html
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/nichicon_gbdb.html