Changing some caps to get a little more sparkly top end

[rocky500]

I have some floorstander speakers with what looks like it could be a series crossover.

The designer mentioned changing the caps to Mundorf silver/oil would give a slight sparkle to the top end while the claritycap PX (not expensive) ones used in there would be more a natural sound.

Also mentioned was with a change of caps, the speaker might need some other adjusting in the crossover.

 

I have always had a slight problem with speakers (or my ears) that have normal tweeters sounding a little soft on the top end in my room. Proac etc.

While ribbon tweeters are fine in my room and even had to tame one a bit with the help of the designer as it was a bit much in my room. Adelaide speakers, Magnaplaner 1.7's.

 

Now with this new speaker it has a 20uf and a 10uf capacitor.

Could I just change the 10uf cap only and expect a slight change or do I need to change both caps.

Any suggestions on a cap I could try that others have had success?

The speakers are new, so only have been played for less than 100 hours.

 

The speakers has eminence drivers with ring radiator tweeters.

 

At the moment the speakers do like the volume turned up to come alive in my room.

I am not after a big change just if there may be just even a slight change.

Edited August 2, 2013 by rocky500

[Addicted to music]

Rocky,

,

to even make a decision, one must draw a diagram to see what is in series with the tweeter, it is the cap that is in series with the tweeter that will make a difference, you must also provide details on what is printed on the caps that are currently used, they will tell us the type of film cap they are.etc MKP, MKT, MKS, MP

[rocky500]

These are the caps -ClarityCap PX Range Polypropylene

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/px-cap-250vdc/claritycap-10-mfd-px-range-polypropylene-caps/

Edited August 2, 2013 by rocky500

[rocky500]

I will have to double check this when I get a chance to look again but I think it is like this

 

Edited August 3, 2013 by rocky500

[brenden]

Hi Rocky ,with a superior cap ,you will get an improvement by just changing one of the caps .

Try to identify the cap that is connected to the tweeter first (probably the 10uf) ,and either bypass it with a .01uf of the best cap you can find ,or if you have the budget you can get good quality caps to replace them with .Many top flight caps ,like the V cap copper foil are very expensive for this size ,if you can even get them .

You can parallel two 5uf caps to get your 10uf if you need to.

If I were on a budget ,I would get some awesome .01 V caps or Duelunds ,and bypass it, or if on a very tight budget some .01 Auricaps or even the Hovlands which are in my Martin Logans are very good .

If you want the best full size caps ,be prepared to pay for it ,but I reckon you can probably get 70-80% of the character of a better quality bypass cap at a fraction of the price of changing the whole cap .

The Mundorfs are also top flight caps and worth considering.

Most of the mid range caps I have tried over the years like Axon ,and Solen I felt can improve in some ways but still leave you unsatisfied .

If you are going to do it at all make the exercise worthwhile and satisfying .Probably best to work out what you are prepared to spend first,because it can be as little as $50 (for bypass) or up to maybe $1000 for great caps.

[rocky500]

Thanks brenden. I think I just thought I may want to try something a little better than the current cap/s. I could spend a couple of hundred for a cap if it made the difference. I was actually thinking the Mundorf supreme caps but open to suggestions. http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/MU-MCAPS10u-800V/10uF+800V+M-Cap+Supreme

 

I do like their bass and midrange and there dynamics just keep thinking a little more presence up top.

Edited August 2, 2013 by rocky500

[Gordon Macfarlane]

Here you go Rocky :

Vishay MKP1837 / 0,01uF MKP 100VDC - 1% tolerance

Technical specifications: Metallised polypropylene, radial capacitor, designed for LC/RC filter circuits, coupling and de-coupling at high frequencies.

Sound: Many years ago I was tipped by Klaus Witte of Germany to try this capacitor as a bypass cap for the Mundorf MCap Supreme. I tried them as a bypass for the tweeter series caps in my Progress speaker and I must say I am very impressed! To get straight to the point they don't change a Supreme into a Supreme Silver-Oil but they really do clear things up. I must admit I was sceptical at first as the value is only 10nF (0,01uF) - and the caps I was using at the time totalled to 12,6uF. The difference is most noticeable with classical music but also good quality recordings of jazz and fusion benefit: No change in sound stage width or depth but there is more concert-hall acoustics that let you get into the recording more. Not as liquid as a Mundorf Silver Oil but they did take away the slightly grainy edge from the Mundorf Supreme's. A noticable gain in clarity and transparency making instruments better separable from each other, the violins in an orchestra become a group of individual violins instead of one mass. Jazz drum brushes sound more like a brush than a "shush".

Verdict: Can't live without them! I use them as bypass cap with nearly any capacitor and they cost practically nothing!

[rocky500]

Hi Ozcall, now you mention those, I have quite a few that might be similar that I brought some time ago when I was contenplating changing them out in a dac I had which had those green caps.

I never really thought to try bypass caps as I have read some people don't like to bypass a cap.

 

The ones I have are 1837 100V dc 0.01uF Made in portugal. Also have some 0.1uF. These things are so tiny! Smaller than a fingernail. Are they the ones?

Edited August 2, 2013 by rocky500

[Guest Muon]

The 1837 100V dc 0.01uF will do fine.

[rocky500]

Attempt to draw the crossover. Not sure where each speaker wire goes to on the speaker end but have the wires connecting to components right.

 

Scratch that drawing as I forgot about the 2 wires going to the terminals going to the amp. Not sure which ones they are, so will have to open them up again later.

Edited August 3, 2013 by rocky500

[brenden]

Hi Rocky ,

 

 I notice   Soundlabs also have the Mundorf Supreme Silver in oil for  $145. If you can find the extra ,I am sure you will be impressed .You can still try a bypass ,and choose your preference .

[rocky500]

Here is a pic on how it is wired.

 

Brenden - could be a good plan but now I am not sure changing one cap will make the difference with the way it is wired? Need to change both caps?

 

If I want to try the bypass option for the cap, do I bypass both caps.

Also maybe changing the resistor to something like a Dueland might have an effect? (Its currently one of those white retangular ones.)

Edited August 6, 2013 by rocky500