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I am preparing to build Zaph’s SR71 but not overly enthrawled by Madisound’s kit for reasons noted below. But the reason for this post is more a Dayton vs Dayton capacitor question. Figured this board would be more objective than the supplier’s boards, as despite PE’s sponsorship you use all suppliers. There is the standard Dayton metallized polypropylene capacitor (DMPC) and the Dayton metallized 1% polypropylene capacitor (PMPC). There is little cost difference between them with the largest cap. 12uf, $5.99 vs $11.99. This is well below the intermediate priced Clarity SA and Sonicaps, and obviously well below the ultrapremiums. I did a search of this and other boards, and almost without fail, crossover designs used the cheaper DMPC over the PMPC. With the price being so close, is there a reason people seem to prefer the DMPC? Are there problems with the PMPC?
There were several things that influenced me skipping the Madisound kit and forgoing the 10% discount. First, 5/8 foam with no dampening – substitute PE’s Sonic Barrier as too small a project for Wispermat. Next, pre-made crossover just doesn’t seem like DIY, plus there are some obvious compromises. On one hand they put a Clarity SA on the tweeter circuit, but instead of the remainder Bennics as Zaph suggests, they drop the other large cap down to the Carli Mylar Polyester rather than the Bennic/Dayton polypropylenes.
The other area that is motivating me away from the kit are the few reviews. All are positive, but somewhat reserved. When comparing to other speakers they anticipated out performing, there was a feeling while performing great it didn’t take to the next level. Perhaps it was preconceived notion setting the bar high only to be let down. Or perhaps it was the compromise in the components. Or both.
Doing it myself creates opportunity without dramatically increasing the cost. Substitute the Eagle resistors for Mills seems like a no-brainer. Inductors, instead of the 15agw 3.3mh steel laminate sledgehammer and Madisound’s 19agw 0.15mh air core, for $4 more substitute Erse Perfect Lay Air Core 14agw and 18agw. Granted the DCR increases from .185 to .488, that is well within Zaph’s cautioned upper limit of .7 if building them yourself with other components. That brings me to the caps. 1) Straight Bennic as Zaph suggest, 2) straight Dayton – if so which one and the primary reason for this post, or 3) Clarity or Sonicap combo with either Bennic or Dayton.
Your feedback would be appreciated
There were several things that influenced me skipping the Madisound kit and forgoing the 10% discount. First, 5/8 foam with no dampening – substitute PE’s Sonic Barrier as too small a project for Wispermat. Next, pre-made crossover just doesn’t seem like DIY, plus there are some obvious compromises. On one hand they put a Clarity SA on the tweeter circuit, but instead of the remainder Bennics as Zaph suggests, they drop the other large cap down to the Carli Mylar Polyester rather than the Bennic/Dayton polypropylenes.
The other area that is motivating me away from the kit are the few reviews. All are positive, but somewhat reserved. When comparing to other speakers they anticipated out performing, there was a feeling while performing great it didn’t take to the next level. Perhaps it was preconceived notion setting the bar high only to be let down. Or perhaps it was the compromise in the components. Or both.
Doing it myself creates opportunity without dramatically increasing the cost. Substitute the Eagle resistors for Mills seems like a no-brainer. Inductors, instead of the 15agw 3.3mh steel laminate sledgehammer and Madisound’s 19agw 0.15mh air core, for $4 more substitute Erse Perfect Lay Air Core 14agw and 18agw. Granted the DCR increases from .185 to .488, that is well within Zaph’s cautioned upper limit of .7 if building them yourself with other components. That brings me to the caps. 1) Straight Bennic as Zaph suggest, 2) straight Dayton – if so which one and the primary reason for this post, or 3) Clarity or Sonicap combo with either Bennic or Dayton.
Your feedback would be appreciated
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