Tannoy uses a system of screw-in pins on the front of their current prestige speakers to change the 'treble energy', which I believe is just changing the taps on an autotransformer. I would like to do something similar on a pair of DIY speakers but cannot figure out what these pins are called and if they are something that can be purchased or if they are bespoke for Tannoy. Any ideas? I'm thinking they may provide a better sounding result than a rotary switch.
Is there a link to something describing this? I can think of two possibilities. One it's just an lpad with a fancy name. Or two it is perhaps a cored inductor (in shunt) where turning the screw move the core into and out of the coil hence changing the inductance value.
Tony.
Tony.
Thanks Tony - Here is a picture from Tannoy's website. Its a series of pin connectors. I've seen a picture of the back side somewhere and for the treble energy side there are copper leads connecting each pin to the different taps on the autotransformer.
Oh OK the pins are basically like switches, connecting two different points in the circuit.
Looks like it serves two purposes, one padding the tweeter and second shifting the crossover point higher or lower. independently adjustable.
Tony.
Looks like it serves two purposes, one padding the tweeter and second shifting the crossover point higher or lower. independently adjustable.
Tony.
Yep - just acting as a switch. I just haven't seen anything like this aside from possibly a microphone jack.
The pin is solid metal. The outer plate and the inner contact point are connected to each other when the pin is inserted - at least in the unit I saw, it could be different in others. I suppose these are made specifically for Tannoy as I've not seen anything like this anywhere else. The plate carries some of the tweeter signal, either input or output.
I guess you could fashion something out of copper rod stock, but it would require a lot of work.
I guess you could fashion something out of copper rod stock, but it would require a lot of work.
1/4" jack sockets, 1/4" jack plug. Connect tip to sleeve on the plug, wire up the sockets so the plug completes a circuit. Job done.
1/4" jacks aren't my favourite, though. I'd use SpeakOn, but price would shoot up.
Chris
1/4" jacks aren't my favourite, though. I'd use SpeakOn, but price would shoot up.
Chris
Thanks everyone - Sounds like it may be simplest to go with the rotary switch (thinking Grayhill 71 series) since there isn't a great option that's made for purpose.
You can use the jacks, but then machine solid pins instead of using the jack plugs, or drill two more holes and use short fancy patch-bay cables.
The problem with a switch and even a jack is the current it must handle.
As we are talking about tweeters this shouldn't be a problem, but with a say 1000W woofer it is another story.
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