** Extreme-slope crossover networks **

Extreme-slope networks separate the sound into frequency bands appropriate to each of the drivers (woofer, squawker or tweeter) and sends them ONLY to that driver. There is only a very small overlap where two drivers are sounding together and can interact with each other. Eliminating driver interaction eliminates the need for "time alignment" resulting in a much wider sweet spot, a noticeably better stereo image and a smoother frequency response throughout the room.

The advantages of extreme-slope networks over conventional gentle-slope networks:

• Lower distortion: Extreme-slope woofer to squawker crossover networks almost completely remove the lows that can overload a squawker driver. Gentle-slope networks can't do that.
• Better stereo image: Overlap at the crossover allows two drivers at once to make the same sound. If the two are different distances from you (NOT time aligned) you hear everything twice, first from the driver closest to you, then again from the one farther away. Your brain perceives this to be an echo. At low volume, this sometimes is confused with "ambience". People often like that. The problem is that your brain can't figure out where the sound is supposed to be coming from!
• Better frequency response: Two sources of the same sound in two different places create "comb" distortion. That makes peaks and dips all over the room where the two identical sounds cancel out and add together.

An article describing crossover networks similar to those shown below having slopes on the order of 120 dB / octave in a Belle Klipsch is available. The article explains their benefits in more detail. The article also investigates such factors as filter ringing, group delay, driver interaction and time alignment. The article may be downloaded here.

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Shipping box: 22 x 17 x 12 Inch. Weight: 40 Lbs

Crossover networks designed for the Belle Klipsch or Klipsch La Scala woofers having extremely sharp slopes which reach 20 dB or greater attenuation very close to the crossover frequency are available at frequencies of 500, 600 or 700Hz. A network at 400 Hz (ES400) has been developed in two sections (half on either side of the squawker horn) for use specifically in the Klipchorn. These designs virtually eliminate interaction between drivers which cause response peaks and dips throughout the listening area.

• A removable strap allows 2-way or 3-way operation by the use of a second external crossover such as the ES5800.
• Two additional removable straps allow bi-wiring.
• Provides a constant 6 Ohm resistive load to your amplifier (easily driven from the 4 or 8 Ohms connections) over the entire audio spectrum withOUT the usual "Zobel" compensator. The woofer voice coil inductance (about 1 mHy) is actually absorbed by the network filter.
• Adjustable level settings for the squawker in a 3-way system or the upper frequency driver in a 2-way system is provided.
• Easily replaceable fast-blow 1.5 Amp fuse in a socket protects the woofer.
• Usable with 8 or 16 Ohm squawker drivers.

Removable straps are provided to use the autotransformer in a 2-way system or from an external tweeter / squawker crossover in a 3-way system (ES5800 or AP15-6000).

In the Belle Klipsch or La Scala:

• The ES500 is suggested for use with the stock Klipsch squawker horns or the Edgar type tractrix (fastrac La Scala).
• The ES600 is good for stretching 800 Hz drivers run 2-way lower in frequency safely.
• The ES700 is best used with the Altec 811b horn.

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The ES400 for the Klipschorn

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Shipping box: 22 x 17 x 12 Inch. Weight: 39 Lbs

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The extreme-slope network for the Klipschorn is a combination of the ES400 and the ES5800 networks packaged to fit on either side of the squawker horn inside the upper compartment of the Klipschorn. This specific combination is also designated the ES-Khorn.

• Provides a constant 6 Ohm resistive load to your amplifier (easily driven from the 4 or 8 Ohms connections) over the entire audio spectrum withOUT the usual "Zobel" compensator. The woofer voiced coil inductance is actually absorbed by the network filter.
• Adjustable level settings for the squawker.
• Provisions included for conversion to 2-way operation if desired.
• Removable bridging cable connecting the low and high section of the woofer crossover allows bi-wiring to a single amp.
• Easily replaceable fast-blow 1.5 Amp fuse in a socket protects the woofer.
• Usable with 8 or 16 Ohm squawker drivers.

Download ES400 + ES5800 users installation guide (Size: 2.2 Meg).

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A direct comparison of computed response of the ES400 and ES500 networks. The ES400 has deeper ultimate rejection than the ES500 due to reduced slopes. The ES500 has slightly reduced loss through the woofer filter. The woofer response looks a bit rough as curve-fit data take from a real K33 driver was used in the computer model.

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Here's how the woofer / squawker extreme-slope networks are connected for either 2-way and 3-way operation simply by removing a single strap:

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* Extreme-slope Squawker / tweeter networks *

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A version of these networks is available for use in bi-amp systems. This version is equipped with the 3619-ET transformer to attenuate the mid-range driver rather then the tweeter. It is designated ES5800T.

For more information on bi-amping, look here.

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Shipping box: 15 x 12 x 10 Inch. Weight: 10 Lbs

Squawker / tweeter networks at 4000, 7500 and 8500 Hz for use in 3-way systems are also available. The 5800 Hz crossover is the recommended frequency for most applications. All versions uses ClarityCaps in the signal path to the tweeter EXCEPT the ES7500. Solen astCaps are used as ClarityCaps are not available in the required value for that crossover frequency.

All have adjustable tweeter level settings of 0, -3, -5, -7 and -9 dB attenuation.

The bi-amp version allows mid-range setting from 3 to 18 dB in 1 dB steps.

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* Should I move the crossover down to 4000 Hz? *

The short answer is NO! Why not? Read more