Series Crossovers for ALTEC

[LowOhms]

Question,

Has anyone besides Dominique Tanguy of Colonge used Series crossovers, rather than the usual Parallel crossovers, on ALTEC VOTTs or 604s? ( Dominique changed his A5 from Hiraga to Series ). Loved the change.

ALTEC themselves made a Series crossover for the 604E, the crossover known as the N1500A.

Many tube amp users report liking Series crossovers. I'm a tube amp user.

Presently, I know of only one person with a A7 in Canada who converted ( in early 2013 ) from Parallel to Series, a guitar player. He loved Series from the first note it played.

The late Irving M. "Bud" Fried ( Harvard attorney, USA importer of QUAD ESLs, DECCA and Lowther ) wrote two papers on Series crossovers, available on line. He relates, that the audio designers from Denmark (three decades ago) seem to have championed Series as sounding better. Fried also did audio shows in the USA with speaker crossovers where visitors could choose one or the other, Series or Parallel.

Surely, there are more than two people I've mentioned in the ALTEC universe using Series. Would like to hear their thinking and comments based on direct experience, or anyone else's, so we can all learn something.

I am just an ALTEC and speaker novice. I presently own pairs of 515Bs and 802-8Ds and 511s. Looking to build my first A7 system in early 2014. Thanks a lot..

Happy and Healthy New Year.

Jeff Medwin

[Old Guy]

There are NO magic solutions. Different approaches bring different problems. I played with series crossovers years ago. IMHO the response wasn't as flat. I say the best solution is active. Others may not agree.

There is so little data that you will likely have to produce your own, and it won't be valid for anyone else, as there are so many possibilities.

If, for instance, a combination of box and speakers is not flat, sometimes a deviation in the crossover can actually help. Unfortunately the researcher usually champions his data for all users, which it doesn't fit.

It's a system. Select components, tune the box, do the crossover last.

[LowOhms]

There are NO magic solutions. Different approaches bring different problems. I played with series crossovers years ago. IMHO the response wasn't as flat. I say the best solution is active. Others may not agree.

There is so little data that you will likely have to produce your own, and it won't be valid for anyone else, as there are so many possibilities.

If, for instance, a combination of box and speakers is not flat, sometimes a deviation in the crossover can actually help. Unfortunately the researcher usually champions his data for all users, which it doesn't fit.

It's a system. Select components, tune the box, do the crossover last.

Thanks OG for responding. It is interesting to see what ALTEC users with direct experience, such as you, say about this.

Happy, Healthy New Year.

Jeff Medwin

[bowtie427ss]

It is a very fine line that divides believing what you hear from hearing what you believe.

[LowOhms]

It is a very fine line that divides believing what you hear from hearing what you believe.

Well said. It requires that you be totally honest with yourself. I liked your comment a whole lot sir !!

Jeff Medwin

[Alien_Shore]

I did some fairly extensive research on the N1500a when I was playing around with a 604E last year.
The series crossover sounds excellent on my 604E, and it sims well:


in fact, i was hard-pressed to get any parallel design to simulate as well as the N1500a. The low part count, and great sound makes it a strong contender for the duplex. I suppose you could design one for an A7 application. Put it in PCD and do some sims, I'd be interested to see what you come up with!