Crossovers and Titanium Diaphragms

[LCSeminole]

I've been contemplating for a while now, new speakers, but I just could not bring myself to replace my Klipsch Legends front and center speakers(especially at the price comparable new speakers would cost), so I've done some extensive research only to find a gentlemen by the name of Bob Crites that makes new crossovers and titanium diaphragms for the tweeters. He comes highly recommended from other Klipsch owners and has worked on Klipsch speakers for quite some time now. I can't wait to update/upgrade the tweeters with the titanium diaphragms, and hopefully replacing the apparently cheaply made stock crossovers to a better built crossover with higher quality parts will breath new life into my speakers. Hopefully I'll receive all the new stuff before the weekend so I have a fun project, instead doing the scheduled brake job on my car. ;D

www.critesspeakers.com

[DYohn]

Excellent! A better Xover can help significantly, but beware that using titanium diaphragms in the compression drivers can make them sound bright and a bit harsh. It's a sound some people find annoying and others find pleasing, so something to be aware of. Have fun!

[jamrock]

Are you crazy? Do the brake job please!

My daughter is a testament to the fact that "titanium diaphrams" don't always work. And 25 years later, frequent deductions from my wallet serves as a reminder of that fact ;D

All kidding aside, your brake job is far more important than any audio component or incremental performance change. Do the brake job first!

[LCSeminole]

Thanks David, I feel like I'm headed in the right direction and have really wanted to do a speaker project like this for a while so hopefully I will be hearing a difference. As for the titanium diaphragms, they're only $78 for three, so I won't be out much in that regard. I'll just have to be careful taking out the stock diaphragms, so I'll have them to put back in if I'm not pleased with the new ones.

[LCSeminole]

Apr 10, 2012 17:27:04 GMT -5 jamrock said:

Are you crazy? Do the brake job please!

My daughter is a testament to the fact that "titanium diaphrams" don't always work. And 25 years later, frequent deductions from my wallet serves as a reminder of that fact ;D

All kidding aside, your brake job is far more important than any audio component or incremental performance change. Do the brake job first!

;D

[xki]

Apr 10, 2012 17:17:10 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

I've been contemplating for a while now, new speakers, but I just could not bring myself to replace my Klipsch Legends front and center speakers(especially at the price comparable new speakers would cost), so I've done some extensive research only to find a gentlemen by the name of Bob Crites that makes new crossovers and titanium diaphragms for the tweeters. He comes highly recommended from other Klipsch owners and has worked on Klipsch speakers for quite some time now. I can't wait to update/upgrade the tweeters with the titanium diaphragms, and hopefully replacing the apparently cheaply made stock crossovers to a better built crossover with higher quality parts will breath new life into my speakers. Hopefully I'll receive all the new stuff before the weekend so I have a fun project, instead doing the scheduled brake job on my car. ;D

www.critesspeakers.com

I'm saving for the same upgrade. Not only do upgraders like the new sound, I have heard the difference and it's very significant. The main change is the Crites tweeters that can handle a bit lower frequencies. The original tweets were not capable of these lower fq and so the crossover routed them to the mid horn which is above it's best performance range.

The Crites tweets with the Crites x-overs are said to be great and well worth the cost. One thing for sure, the 17khz limit of the OEM tweets is vastly improved by the 20khz limit of the Crites. If you heard them, you would agree. I do!

[LCSeminole]

Apr 10, 2012 17:53:40 GMT -5 xki said:

Apr 10, 2012 17:17:10 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

I've been contemplating for a while now, new speakers, but I just could not bring myself to replace my Klipsch Legends front and center speakers(especially at the price comparable new speakers would cost), so I've done some extensive research only to find a gentlemen by the name of Bob Crites that makes new crossovers and titanium diaphragms for the tweeters. He comes highly recommended from other Klipsch owners and has worked on Klipsch speakers for quite some time now. I can't wait to update/upgrade the tweeters with the titanium diaphragms, and hopefully replacing the apparently cheaply made stock crossovers to a better built crossover with higher quality parts will breath new life into my speakers. Hopefully I'll receive all the new stuff before the weekend so I have a fun project, instead doing the scheduled brake job on my car. ;D

www.critesspeakers.com

I'm saving for the same upgrade. Not only do upgraders like the new sound, I have heard the difference and it's very significant. The main change is the Crites tweeters that can handle a bit lower frequencies. The original tweets were not capable of these lower fq and so the crossover routed them to the mid horn which is above it's best performance range.

The Crites tweets with the Crites x-overs are said to be great and well worth the cost. One thing for sure, the 17khz limit of the OEM tweets is vastly improved by the 20khz limit of the Crites. If you heard them, you would agree. I do!

I'm glad to hear from one of the Lounge members thats actually heard the upgrades. I have a feeling the cost will be well worth it. Bob told me the crossovers will be a significant upgrade over the stock crossovers as this was where Klipsch could save some money without initially compromising on sound. I'm already feeling like I'm getting new speakers without the cost of actually buying new speakers. ;D I will definitely be updating this thread after completing the project.

[roadrunner]

LC

My concerns are almost identical to those expressed by David. The crossovers should be a big improvement, but my experience with most titanium drives makes me uncomfortable with exaggerated treble. Maybe the new crossover network tames that tendency to sound a little harsh. Good luck with your project.

[jerrin]

Apr 10, 2012 18:12:26 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Apr 10, 2012 17:53:40 GMT -5 xki said:

I'm saving for the same upgrade. Not only do upgraders like the new sound, I have heard the difference and it's very significant. The main change is the Crites tweeters that can handle a bit lower frequencies. The original tweets were not capable of these lower fq and so the crossover routed them to the mid horn which is above it's best performance range.

The Crites tweets with the Crites x-overs are said to be great and well worth the cost. One thing for sure, the 17khz limit of the OEM tweets is vastly improved by the 20khz limit of the Crites. If you heard them, you would agree. I do!

I'm glad to hear from one of the Lounge members thats actually heard the upgrades. I have a feeling the cost will be well worth it. Bob told me the crossovers will be a significant upgrade over the stock crossovers as this was where Klipsch could save some money without initially compromising on sound. I'm already feeling like I'm getting new speakers without the cost of actually buying new speakers. ;D I will definitely be updating this thread after completing the project.

Please do. I'm interested to hear what you think after replacing the stock parts with some different ones.

[villock]

Apr 10, 2012 21:34:21 GMT -5 jerrin said:

Apr 10, 2012 18:12:26 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

I'm glad to hear from one of the Lounge members thats actually heard the upgrades. I have a feeling the cost will be well worth it. Bob told me the crossovers will be a significant upgrade over the stock crossovers as this was where Klipsch could save some money without initially compromising on sound. I'm already feeling like I'm getting new speakers without the cost of actually buying new speakers. ;D I will definitely be updating this thread after completing the project.

Please do. I'm interested to hear what you think after replacing the stock parts with some different ones.

Same here. Love reading others experiences after doing crossover upgrades.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2012 17:24:07 GMT -5 DYohn said:

..... using titanium diaphragms in the compression drivers can make them sound bright and a bit harsh. It's a sound some people find annoying and others find pleasing .....

I'm guessing most of those who find them pleasing had crows for parents when growing up.

;D ;D ;D


(PS: I have not heard them myself ..... sorry Laurence, I just couldn't control my fingers ;D)

[lar]

I did the Skiing Ninja upgrade on my NHT speakers, changing out the stock capacitors and resistors and found a noticable improvement in sound, i think your in for a real treat! ;D

[LCSeminole]

Just received a FedEx shipping notice. My crossovers and titanium tweeter diaphragms are due to be delivered next Tuesday. Looks like I know what I'll be doing during the week. As for this weekend, looks like the brake job that my car is needing real bad.

[jamrock]

Apr 13, 2012 18:41:56 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Just received a FedEx shipping notice. My crossovers and titanium tweeter diaphragms are due to be delivered next Tuesday. Looks like I know what I'll be doing during the week. As for this weekend, looks like the brake job that my car is needing real bad.

When we can't get our priorities right, The Good One sometimes intervenes and sets things right for us ;D

[xki]

Apr 13, 2012 18:41:56 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Just received a FedEx shipping notice. My crossovers and titanium tweeter diaphragms are due to be delivered next Tuesday. Looks like I know what I'll be doing during the week. As for this weekend, looks like the brake job that my car is needing real bad.

I'm sure you will be pleased. I can't wait to hear about it! Most people who say these are harsh (without the upgrade) is from the squawker. Not from the tweeter. If there is a bit much on the high end, well, isn't that what an EQ is for?

These tweets will be going much lower than the stock tweets. The mid-horn will thank you and so will your ears!

[wstanger]

LC
I have upgrade to Bob's titanium in my KLF-20's and it is well worth it.
I also have upgraded my Rf-7's with DeanG's crossovers and this was some of the best money spent on my system.
Hope you enjoy

[LCSeminole]

Apr 14, 2012 6:41:36 GMT -5 wstanger said:

LC
I have upgrade to Bob's titanium in my KLF-20's and it is well worth it.
I also have upgraded my Rf-7's with DeanG's crossovers and this was some of the best money spent on my system.
Hope you enjoy

wstanger, You're the first KLF-20 owner that's chimed in on this, and I was hoping to hear from someone with first hand experience with the titanium tweeter diaphragms. Thanks for stopping by! ;D

[LCSeminole]

Apr 13, 2012 20:05:30 GMT -5 xki said:

Apr 13, 2012 18:41:56 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Just received a FedEx shipping notice. My crossovers and titanium tweeter diaphragms are due to be delivered next Tuesday. Looks like I know what I'll be doing during the week. As for this weekend, looks like the brake job that my car is needing real bad.

I'm sure you will be pleased. I can't wait to hear about it! Most people who say these are harsh (without the upgrade) is from the squawker. Not from the tweeter. If there is a bit much on the high end, well, isn't that what an EQ is for?

These tweets will be going much lower than the stock tweets. The mid-horn will thank you and so will your ears!

Digging into the world of crossovers lead me to Bob and his vast experience with Klipsch and what could breath new life into my KLF-20's & KLF-C7. I've always thought the top end was missing something, and after hearing about how much Klipsch neglected on the build of the stock crossovers, I was sure this upgrade would be well worth it. Once I have these parts installed I'll be back to give my initial impressions. I do plan on installing the crossovers first without the titanium tweeter diaphragms, just so I can get an idea of how much of a difference the crossovers make with the stock tweeters, and then I'll add the titaniums in step 2.

[jerrin]

Apr 14, 2012 7:17:58 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Apr 13, 2012 20:05:30 GMT -5 xki said:

I'm sure you will be pleased. I can't wait to hear about it! Most people who say these are harsh (without the upgrade) is from the squawker. Not from the tweeter. If there is a bit much on the high end, well, isn't that what an EQ is for?

These tweets will be going much lower than the stock tweets. The mid-horn will thank you and so will your ears!

Digging into the world of crossovers lead me to Bob and his vast experience with Klipsch and what could breath new life into my KLF-20's & KLF-C7. I've always thought the top end was missing something, and after hearing about how much Klipsch neglected on the build of the stock crossovers, I was sure this upgrade would be well worth it. Once I have these parts installed I'll be back to give my initial impressions. I do plan on installing the crossovers first without the titanium tweeter diaphragms, just so I can get an idea of how much of a difference the crossovers make with the stock tweeters, and then I'll add the titaniums in step 2.

Given that the tweeter is new as well as the crossover, you might be served better by letting it break in for a few hours while you are off doing something else. Then come in and let it rip! ;D

[LCSeminole]

I actually asked Bob Crites about break-in, and for a lack of quoting him directly, his answers to these are in his FAQ section of his website. I thought that the titanium tweeter diaphragms may need an hour or so but apparently not.


www.critesspeakers.com/frequently-asked-questions.html


Any how, my parts are due to be delivered tomorrow! ;D