Designing a new loudspeaker is not something that's done overnight. First, all the calculations to get to a crossover that would theoretically be "perfect". Easy enough.
Next, comes hours and hours of listening and adjusting the crossover. Capacitor choice and inductor orientation makes a big difference in the final sound. Does it sound better to use a 4.7uF 400V cap or a 4.7uF 600V cap? How about a 4.5uF cap paralleled with a 0.2uF cap? Inductor with the signal running clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Sometimes, I end up listening to the same 30 seconds of a track (either on digital or vinyl) upwards of a thousand times. You can imagine how mind-numbingly boring that can get. And then, your mind starts playing tricks on you - did that change really make it sound worse, or have you reached the threshold where you are beginning to hate that song???
One of the ways I get around this is to pick up some new music..... which is why a stack of LPs appeared at the door a couple of days ago, and there will be more appearing. Since much of the comparison at this stage is about subtle differences, using new music doesn't compromise the design process. I am listening to differences.
However, any musical source being used MUST be well recorded.
This is what "work in progress" looks like. I solder components on and off the board when music is playing - which means that any amplifier I use must not only drive any loudspeaker impedance load, but must recover from a short circuit without blowing fuses.
Next, comes hours and hours of listening and adjusting the crossover. Capacitor choice and inductor orientation makes a big difference in the final sound. Does it sound better to use a 4.7uF 400V cap or a 4.7uF 600V cap? How about a 4.5uF cap paralleled with a 0.2uF cap? Inductor with the signal running clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Sometimes, I end up listening to the same 30 seconds of a track (either on digital or vinyl) upwards of a thousand times. You can imagine how mind-numbingly boring that can get. And then, your mind starts playing tricks on you - did that change really make it sound worse, or have you reached the threshold where you are beginning to hate that song???
One of the ways I get around this is to pick up some new music..... which is why a stack of LPs appeared at the door a couple of days ago, and there will be more appearing. Since much of the comparison at this stage is about subtle differences, using new music doesn't compromise the design process. I am listening to differences.
However, any musical source being used MUST be well recorded.
This is what "work in progress" looks like. I solder components on and off the board when music is playing - which means that any amplifier I use must not only drive any loudspeaker impedance load, but must recover from a short circuit without blowing fuses.