Neil Blanchard 4T4 Crossover (V2.0, redesigned external crossover)

Description

All pricing is for a pair of crossover components. You may select upgrades or downgrades based on your preferences.

This is the newly redesigned crossover. If your Neil Blanchard 4T4 plans specify an externally mounted crossover, this is the matching updated schematic.  The schematic redesign slightly improves the overall efficiency and slightly raises the lower impedance to be more balanced and easier to drive throughout the full frequency response.

Capacitors: Slight Priority is on capacitor 1 for the tweeter. If budget is limited, upgrade at least Capacitor 1. Capacitor 2 is also a low value, and at least the mid-tier option is recommended.

Inductors: L1 is the most critical, and benefits the most from a larger gauge wire. 14ga would be a strong recommendation for this placement. L2 is in series with R2 and low DCR is not critical. The same would apply to L3. 18ga is plenty for L3 but the 16ga is still offered, but not necessary.  All inductors in this design are small inductance values and therefore very affordable comparatively. 

Resistors: We have kept it very simple here. High-Quality resistors are very affordable. We are providing a pair of 10 watt wirewound resistors to be used in parallel to provide 20 watts of heat resistance.  We don’t see a need for $30 boutique versions in this design but if you feel that need, email us and we can modify a package for you.

Bypass capacitors: The 0.01 uF bypass values suggested by the designer are currently offered from the Obbligato Silver Series or Copper Series.  These are both high-quality, fast, clean, and resolving capacitors, representing a great value at $4.50 and $3.50 each

Wiring: The design plans have the crossover mounted near the top rear of the cabinet. 15ft of each color is plenty for that mounting location. If you may vary the plans to mount crossovers near the base, or want extra wire for another project, the 30ft wire option is also provided.  You may purchase the kit without our wire.

We do think our wiring is the best value available. Premium wire without the traditional markups. Both versions are very similar, 16ga solid strand, high-purity OFC, Polyethylene insulator.  The “unbranded” is imported, the “Premium USA” version is not. Wire details are here.

Crossover boards & assembly option

As a convenience we are offering you empty crossover boards, already sized to the designs specifications (4″ x 6 3/4″). We use premium baltic birch. It is an expensive material, and not everyone wants to buy a small $30 sheet when they only need much smaller pieces. Price is $10 for the pair of custom sized boards.

Complete assembly of your crossover boards is available. A $150 assembly fee includes the the assembly labor, crossover boards, and all small incidentals (zip-ties, heat shrink as needed). That fee is in addition to the price of components that you select. Assembly capacity is limited, with a 2-week maximum turnaround time, and is only offered as an add-on. For details related to our assembly services, review this link.