using V Cap Odam To Improve SQ In mid band of speaker XO


Hi,

 

Midrange filter does have a film cap with decent quality wired serial to midwoofer. This cap replaced original stock electrolytic cap . Measured value of replaced electrolytic Is about 3 uF more than newer film cap

Do you recommend adding a V Cap Odam 2.7 uF  to film cap In order to Improve SQ.

 

sasho

OP: Not sure what you are asking, but let me clarify.

Generally speaking, the basic filter components are either in series with a driver, or parallel to it. It’s the later I refer to as shunting to ground because a cap becomes a short at high frequencies. Likewise a coil becomes a short at low frequencies.

A difference of 0.2-0.5 Ohms in series with an 8 Ohm driver is not a big deal, but if the part is parallel with the driver, a difference of this much can be major.

The special case of a Zobel, with a cap going to ground with a larger resistor (>4 Ohms often) is again a situation where the ESR/DCR is less critical.

In post https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/using-v-cap-odam-to-improve-sq-in-mid-band-of-speaker-xo/post?postid=2763745#2763745 you are saying

" Lastly, if this cap goes to ground the big improvements are going from electrolytic to film, and less so after that. If you have already made that change getting fancier is a tiny difference if any. "

I would like to know why there Is big Improvement when you change cap that pass signal to ground.

OP: 

Ahh, well the conventional wisdom is that the caps in series with the drivers matter more than the  caps in parallel, but a couple of users have reported that even with some positive effects from stepping from electroclytic caps to at least a film. 

I strongly encourage you to experiment for yourself with affordable parts. :)

Best,

 

Erik