I'm not going to open the can of worms relating to the claimed audible differences between different capacitor types.
Film capacitors have a lower esr (equivalent series resistance) than electrolytics, so substituting foil caps will result in a different sound balance.
Some say that using a film capacitor in the tweeter filter gives clearer treble, but this may be purely subjective.
Cue the capacitor fanatics! 😉
Film capacitors have a lower esr (equivalent series resistance) than electrolytics, so substituting foil caps will result in a different sound balance.
Some say that using a film capacitor in the tweeter filter gives clearer treble, but this may be purely subjective.
Cue the capacitor fanatics! 😉
Thanks for your help. I wonder if any of those fanatics have tried film caps in the Glendale 3xp before and could report on how they compare to mundorf electrolytics
I renovated a pair of Wharfedale E50 for a friend.
The small value film cap in the tweeter circuit I simply left in place as it wouldn't have deteriorated with age.
The medium value ELCAPS in the midrange filter I replaced with polypropylene film caps to perhaps enhance the vital midrange reproduction.
The large value 50 uF ELCAP in the bass filter I replaced with an inexpensive electrolytic cap of no special provenance (bought it from Maplin along with the polyprops).
The largest audible improvement was in the bass quality, which I put down down to the fresh electrolytic cap in the bass filter.
Prior to the upgrade, my friend had required to use the loudness control on his amp to boost the bass. Subsequent to the upgrade this was no longer necessary. It took a wee while for him to adjust to the new regime, but he eventually appreciated the more accurate bass reproduction.
I would say it's not so much about what types of caps you use, but how you use them! 😎
The small value film cap in the tweeter circuit I simply left in place as it wouldn't have deteriorated with age.
The medium value ELCAPS in the midrange filter I replaced with polypropylene film caps to perhaps enhance the vital midrange reproduction.
The large value 50 uF ELCAP in the bass filter I replaced with an inexpensive electrolytic cap of no special provenance (bought it from Maplin along with the polyprops).
The largest audible improvement was in the bass quality, which I put down down to the fresh electrolytic cap in the bass filter.
Prior to the upgrade, my friend had required to use the loudness control on his amp to boost the bass. Subsequent to the upgrade this was no longer necessary. It took a wee while for him to adjust to the new regime, but he eventually appreciated the more accurate bass reproduction.
I would say it's not so much about what types of caps you use, but how you use them! 😎
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Good anecdote, thanks again! Think I'll go for the electrolytic, maybe spend the extra £2 on film for the 4uF tweeter filters.
Good call.
I suggest you do only one of the speakers first so you can compare the new with the old in terms of sound quality.
I would be interested in the results.
I suggest you do only one of the speakers first so you can compare the new with the old in terms of sound quality.
I would be interested in the results.
Yep. I plan on doing the speaker with the fuzziness and lack of treble first, in the hope that it then sounds better than the 'good' one does now.
I'll be reunited with the soldering iron in a couple of weeks, so I'll let you know how I get on then.
I'll be reunited with the soldering iron in a couple of weeks, so I'll let you know how I get on then.
Hi to anyone still following this. So I opted for all mundorf Ecaps in the end, of the original 25, 16 and 4 uF values.
There is an improvement in sound; seems like the bass resolves itself a bit better and theres more distinction and clarity; but it is quite hard to say as unfortunately one of the tweeters is indeed having issues. I've swapped it from side to side and it stays very weak/quiet.
So. I will look into those Monacor tweeters. What is the resistor arrangement to achieve the recommended 5dB attenuation?
Thanks all for your ongoing help!
There is an improvement in sound; seems like the bass resolves itself a bit better and theres more distinction and clarity; but it is quite hard to say as unfortunately one of the tweeters is indeed having issues. I've swapped it from side to side and it stays very weak/quiet.
So. I will look into those Monacor tweeters. What is the resistor arrangement to achieve the recommended 5dB attenuation?
Thanks all for your ongoing help!
Any alternative tweeter recommendations are also welcome; along with discussion of dome v cone and any other relevant debate
You don't want to open that debate.
The original Glendale 3XP tweeter is a cone type, as is the suggested Monacor replacement - enough said as far as I am concerned!
