Elac B6 Modification
I thought that I had remembered Dannie Ritchie doing some mods on this speaker... He is a solid designer. I went and looked it up. I hope this helps you guys out. Tim http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=138550.0 |
jayctoy, to directly answer your question...I haven't heard the mod that you posted about, but I can look at curves and tell you what something will sound like... the mods that I posted above will be noticeably better... even the 1st mod listed which would cost you very little....The difference will be a livelier top end with a bit of added detail. Good luck with this guys, this is an easy modification and well worth the money. By the way on the link that I posted above Andrew Jones chimes in about the mods on his speaker... worth the read. |
@mesch "I think it better to upgrade speaker budget" I know that everyone could not do these changes, but these are fairly simple. I could even give suggestions for even simpler changes that would make a real difference.... For instance, Danny tells you to switch out the 22 ohm resistor with a higher quality 20 ohm. I like that change too, but If you like the current sound of the B6, but wanted to just add some upper frequency definition, you could simply put the .47 bypass cap that Danny suggest on the current resistor without going through changing the resistor out and it will raise the falling off frequency without raising the entire tweeter sensitivity. This is a $5 part and one very simple mod that is quite audible... If there is a real interest, I will list out the mods by ease of doing and sound quality... Some of you guys would get a kick out of doing a few changes. I hope this helps, Tim |
Andrew has his pride in the way... Its natural for not wanting someone messing with your design... but Andrew does in someway acknowledge that the modifications are better, but weren't done in the original design for budgets sake... Of course no one has to do these mods or any mods at all. The question on the thread was "would you even consider the mod" So my answer at $295 is NO, but at $5 to $50 bucks for clear improvements, you bet. |
"I'd b willing to bet that a stock UB5 would kill any modified B6" That wouldn't be a safe bet, it depends on your taste... I've compared the curves and know the materials in both. The UB5 has a dip at 5 to 8k, then rise to a peak at 10k or so....Some people would like that, others would really hear that dip followed by the peak... The cabinets on the UB5 are better materials and better braced than the B6 and the stiffer coned drivers should produce a bit more detail... normally, I would like the detail, but with a dip followed by that peak on the top end, I'd probably prefer the B6... I would also add a thin t brace to the B6 that would help its cabinet resonances... I'm sure that I'll be challenged and that's fine, but I've been at this speaker game for along time, I try to separate fact from opinion... curves can be a bit deceiving depending on cone material, but they really don't lie.... Curves, cabinet, crossover parts quality, driver material, they do tell a story...... But, clearly, the UB5 is a Great speaker and for the Abundance of people that want nothing to do with modifying a speaker, it would be a no brainer to get the UB5... For someone like me, that has all the parts here at home, my cost to upgrade a B6 is bupkis, I fire up my soldering iron several times a week and have built countless speakers, I'd do the mod. Not trying to convince anyone to buy these or even do the mod. Its just a simple reply to a single line stated earlier..... Also as mentioned in another thread about great speakers under $500... there are a lot of great speakers out there. |
