Increase horn level? (Klipsch wedges w/ Eminence PXB:1k6 crossovers)

[JW]

Howdy,

I'm seeking some advice regarding some wedges I've had a long time. I never opened them up until now. I never thought they had enough high end. Always having to crank it at the board. The cabs are labeled Klipsch. No idea was the woofer is, but it seems to sound fine. Is there a way to modify the crossover to have more of the horn (level)?

Or maybe I should think about replacing the horn altogether with one the Eminence board supposedly matches for? The crossover is labeled Eminence PXB:1k6 which is a still available DIY part.

Not to be overlooked is the back magnet of the horn is actually touching the cab. I have to think this isn't correct, so maybe I should lean toward attempting to replace the horn.

See pics.

 

[moamps]

As a rule, horns are more efficient (and louder) than bass drivers, so they often need to be turned down to get a overall linear response. In your case it is not like that and there is no easy way to do it. In any case, check that the lamps on crossover board connected in series are ok, because if one is faulty, only one left could introduce unwanted attenuation. What you could try is to throw out those protective lamps that always introduce some loss, but you will lose the protection (if it exists at all). It is also a question in which frequency range you should always add gain. If it is in the crossover frequency range (1k5), then you should be quite careful not to overload the horn coil.

 

[JohnRoberts]

Was it always lacking HF, or did that degrade over time, or after some too loud session. Altering the design assumes it was designed wrong, failure over time may just be a component weakness.

JR

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Not to be overlooked is the back magnet of the horn is actually touching the cab. I have to think this isn't correct, so maybe I should lean toward attempting to replace the horn.

There is absolutely no problem with the HF driver touching the cabinet.
Are these lamps or fuses I see on the x-over? Can you trace the circuit of the x-over? Or at least have a better picture? I don't seem to see an attenuator for the HF driver, so the only cure would be to use a more efficient driver.

 

[Jeff Goodman2]

Or, perhaps lower the volume on the woofer...

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Or, perhaps lower the volume on the woofer...

Not a very reasonable proposition for a stage monitor...

 

[fazer]

Trace to see if there is built in attenuation. (Fixed resistor) in the hf side of the crossover. Also possible toasted rolled off diaphragm. Should be plenty or roar from the horns. They probably roll off at 4 to 6k. A 3way klipsch used a EV horn tweeter for 5k up. I belive there are some newer 1” drivers with response beyond 12k. If that’s what you’re looking for.

Home

I like these selenium.

 

[Jeff Goodman2]

Eh, it was just a thought..

 

[JohnRoberts]

Eh, it was just a thought..

logical but in loudspeaker design LF output is the hard part so a designer typically gets as much as they can, then sizes the other drivers to keep up... It is more common to see MF/HF pads.

JR

 

[tkaz]

Not sure what that horn driver is, but not impressive. Wouldn't be hard to upgrade that.
Looks like the horn can take a 2" driver. That would would part your hair.

 

[brucega]

Klipsch designed their own crossovers, the Eminence was put in by someone else. Can you post pics of the whole cabinet?

Looks like a mash up in a Klipsch cab. I've a friend who has refurbed a lot of Klipsch pro gear.

 

[JW]

Thanks very much for the info guys. I'll try to post pics of the whole cab a little later. A newer horn may be in order.

 

[Disco Volante]

I second the "bodged" analysis. Looks like a mash-up. A trace of the XO and a SPL curve of either driver would give a hint as to what's actually going on. To design a proper XO, an impedance plot would also be necessary. Or maybe find out what was originally in there and revert?

Happy tinkering;-)