Outboard crossover box location??

Mitch2

In order to keep things consistent, you should at least make sure that you use the same speaker cable from the crossover, as the one used inside the speaker. Especially if this is a modification to a production speaker. Why? Well cables have different sonic fingerprints, and you never know if the designers calculated with this when they created the crossover.

On the placement of the crossover? In my oppinion it depends.. If your using a three way speaker, then the number of cables alone, would make me want to place it pretty close to the speaker.

Thank you for the response Aarsoe. I am currently running 3 lengths of 15 feet long speaker cables from my amp to the speakers, which have the crossovers inside them. Long story short, moving the crossovers to an external box is the last step in a 2 year upgrade path for the speakers, and I am mainly trying to find out whether there are sonic performance reasons why I would not want to have longer wires exiting the crossovers than the typical 2 to 3 foot lengths most manufacturers use, assuming the overall length from amp to speaker is not affected. In fact, when I move to my new room, the total run will be about 8 feet, which is shorter than it is now. In other words, the cable run from amp to crossover will be about 2 to 3 feet and from crossover to speaker will be about 6 to 8 feet. Thanks

Mitch2

I cant think of any reasons why the cables after the crossovers should be kept to a minimum. After all the signal is pretty strong, so any loss due to cable lenght will be minimal. (all though I am a firm believer in keeping speaker cables to an absolut minimum)

Another thing to think about, is when you do move your crossover outside the box, then splitting the crossover so that the induction coils have a bigger distance between them, could also be worthwhile. They tend to be pretty sensitive to magnetic fields created by other coils. This is also the reason you see manufactors putting every other coil on its side in other to make the magnetic field go in different directions..

What are the speakers your modding?

My KLH12 speakers came with a sophisticated "outboard" crossover that looked like a preamp, with a nice wooden case, with knobs to shape the sound spectrum by attenuating the various drivers. Two sets of cables were provided. One set was about 3 feet long for use if you were going to put the crossover on top of the (floorstanding) speaker. The other set was about 20 feet long for use if you would locate the crossover in the equipment rack.

I never thought there was any difference in the sound.

thanks Eldartford, that helps.

Aarsoe, the speakers are Alon V MkII's that have been upgraded to all alnico drivers, exactly the same as the Stereophile Class A Alon Circe. It is a very worthwhile upgrade, since cabinet construction is the same in both speakers, except for how the grills are attached. I actually like the Alon V set up better because it does not have an upper frame over the baffle that holds the midrange and tweeter. Carl Marchisotto with Nola (Alon) has recommended moving the crossovers outboard and is going to help me with some upgrades to better integrate the crossovers with the new drivers, although the crossover points on both speakers are the same, and he says the upgrades are not necessary. I will say they are totally different (better) speakers than the stock Alon V MkII. Thanks for your response to my question.

I have one grill for Alon V MKII speakers that I no longer need and want to sell if anyone is interested. Contact me.