Mechano 23 DIY crossover kit

Description

We have started with a recommended “baseline” for components. You may select upgrades or downgrades based on your preferences.

Recommendations:
Capacitors: Our “baseline” offering is from the JB, JSX Superior line, which offers tremendous value as do all of the JB capacitor lines. The premium upgrade offerings are from the Obbligato Copper and Silver Series.

There are two in-line capacitors in the tweeter circuit and they should be the first priority for upgrades. Multiple options are provided to allow you the flexibility of aligning with your budget preferences.

Upgrade options are provided for the smaller single in-line capacitor on the woofer. No upgrades are offered or necessary for the larger shunt position capacitors on the woofer.

Note: There are multiple variations published for this crossover. The original design called for a 2uF capacitor in the second position on the tweeter circuit. This is an uncommon value which can be accomplished by combining 2.7uF and 6.8uF in series, or by combining two 1uF in parallel, or by substituting for the more common 2.2uF value.  The small variance in substituting 2uF to 2.2uF is very acceptable and is within common manufacturer variances. Both options of 2.2uF, and 2x parallel 1uf are offered. The 2.2uF option will be slightly more affordable than 2x 1.0uF, at each product tier level, and is a perfectly acceptable substitution.

Bypass capacitors: Small 0.1 uF bypass caps are being offered from the Obbligato Copper and Silver Series. These are high-quality, fast, clean, and resolving capacitors, representing a great value. Two options for placement of bypass capacitors would be on each tweeter capacitor, or on the two largest capacitors in the woofer circuit.  If capacitor upgrades were already selected for the tweeter capacitors, than the two largest woofer capacitors would be your recommended candidates for bypass.

Bypass capacitors allow for faster discharge of the primary capacitor (faster response) and can improve sonic characteristics by incorporating a premium resolving capacitor which is comparatively low in cost due to the small capacitance.

Inductors: 18-gauge aircore is offered as default on all positions, and it really is already a premium inductor. 16-ga and 14-ga are offered as premium upgrades on the woofer circuit but should not be viewed as “necessary”. 18-ga is very acceptable and already is an upgrade above other 20-ga options.

Resistors: We have kept it very simple here. High-Quality resistors are very affordable. We are providing GR-Research branded 10-watt resistors ($4 each) in each position. We don’t see a need for $30 boutique or even $10 versions in this design but if you feel that need, email us and we can modify a package for you.

Internal wiring: 10ft of each color is plenty for internal wiring of this design. If you have other projects planned, or want extra wire the 20ft option is also provided. You may also purchase the kit without our wire.

We do think our wiring is the best value available. It is a premium wire without the traditional markups. We offer 16ga solid strand, high-purity OFC, Polyethylene insulator, made in the USA. Wire details are here.

Crossover board and assembly options:

Complete assembly of your crossover boards is also available. $175 assembly fee includes the crossover boards and all small incidentals (zip-ties, heat shrink as needed), as well as the increased shipping cost for the larger package dimensions. Assembly is for the pair of crossovers only. Assembly capacity is limited, with a 3-week maximum turnaround time, and is only offered as an add-on. For details related to our assembly services, review this link.