Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Planar Speaker Asylum

1.6QR Inductor

216.31.211.11

Hi,

is this a very good replacement for the stock 3.5mh inductor?

ERSE 3.5mH SuperQ:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=266-916

or air foils are the better upgrade?

thanks

Follow Ups:

RE: 1.6QR Inductor - RickeyM 06:54:06 09/18/10 (6)
Were the ERSE SuperQ some low grade iron core inductor, I'd say stay away. It's actually a laminated steel core inductor and has the benefit of a lower resistance than the stock inductor. Many here that have upgraded their crossovers report better bass from their speakers using inductors with a lower resistance.

I've used the Erse SuperQ's with the 1st gen x-over upgrade on my MMG's, the MG12-spec x-over I put on my MMG's and now on the x-over on my MG2.5's. The only thing that stopped me from using 'em on my Quasi-Gunned MMG's was that they were out of stock. In that case Madisound Sledge Hammers were a fine substitute. Some swear by copper foil inductors. I've never tried them because the cost was more than I could swing at the time.

That said, If you go with the SuperQ's, DO NOT use the 3.5mH! Any change in the resistance of the woofer circuit will require a change in the x-over values to maintain the stock crossover point.
Using that value with the inductor's lower resistance will drop the crossover point about 100hz. A value of 2.8mH would be about right. The woofer shunt cap would have to be increased to about 36uF as well.

Now with all that being said, most of the members here say they get better sound improvements upgrading the stock Maggie caps on the tweeters first. Personally, that's where I'd start. There's plenty of info on 1.6 crossover upgrades in the tweaks section.
- RE: 1.6QR Inductor - pictureguy 09:05:39 09/18/10 (5)
  I don't understand.
  The STOCK value for the inductor is 3.5mh at 0.4ohm DCR. It is also 16ga.
  I'll look again at the referenced inductor.
  
  Don't forget, better caps can get pretty BIG. Look at the dimensions of any caps on your short list for upgrade. You'll need to relocate the entire crossover.
  
  I like the idea of doing the tweeter end first.
  Too much is never enough
  - RE: 1.6QR Inductor - RickeyM 05:52:16 09/19/10 (1)
    Never seen or measured the inductors in the MG1.6. If they do indeed have a DCR of 0.4-ohm, I'd leave 'em alone. Better off replacing the internal wiring/binding posts, and fuse holder if you're not going fuseless.
    
    AS far as mounting crossover caps, in the tweaks section I've seen some interesting ideas. One of which was to mount a plexi panel over the x-o section and mount the caps externally to that.
    
    FWIW, I bought some caps marketed as PIO's from a seller on eBay. The 10uF & 20uF sizes are pretty small compared to other caps of the same values. I use the 10uF size as output coupling caps on my CDP and they sound VERY good. I'm going to give these caps a try in the crossovers of my 2.5's later today and report back on the results.
    
    AS pictureguy said, come up with a plan. There is a good amount of info on 1.6 x-over upgrades in the Tweaks section. Take a look.
    - RE: 1.6QR Inductor - pictureguy 08:25:56 09/19/10 (0)
      Magnepan schematic says 0.4 ohms DCR. Just my personal opin, and since I'm not a qualified redesign guy, I'll stick as close to standard values as possible while trying to go UP the quality ladder.
      To that end, I'll abandon the iron inductor which uses 16ga. (?) wire and replace it with a longer bit of 13 or 14 in an air core. Design goal is to stay as close to 0.4 ohms as possible.
      Aircore won't fit in the panel, either. It is quite a bit larger than the standard part.
      
      IF....big IF, anyone is interested I'll send off my measurements and the 'secret' to the correct size. The unit I have designed, using online help calculators, is about 4" in diameter and an inch thick. It has equal number of layers to the coil as it does wires per layer. this means the coil is 'square' in cross section which is the theoretical 'perfect' coil...pretty much the minimum cross sectional area.
      
      From a strictly visual point, a nice handmade wooden box is the way for me to re package a crossover. It would appear that better caps also take up more space. The Clarity SA which I am targeting are pretty darn big. You could Never cram them in where the stocks parts went.
      
      2 stages to a project like this.
      First is mechanical. New frames / supports and a crossover box.
      Second is to redo the crossover and wiring.
      
      Fini
      
      Too much is never enough
  - RE: 1.6QR Inductor - pictureguy 09:14:57 09/18/10 (2)
    Yep, the DCR is very low.
    I'd still go to drawing board and calculate an aircore and keep messing with the numbers until I get something close to stock DCR.,
    Too much is never enough
    - RE: 1.6QR Inductor - Lynxo 11:42:49 09/18/10 (1)
      Thanks for all your great tips and suggestion. especially the lower resistance and to use a lower value inductor.
      
      I'll have to decide to keep it internal, find parts that fit or external and have the flexibility to use better part.
      - RE: 1.6QR Inductor - pictureguy 13:45:47 09/18/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: 1.6QR Inductor posted by Lynxo on September 18, 2010 at 11:42:49
        
        ME? I'll go back to thread and see if I gave that impression.
        Somebody else recommended lower DCR and higher capacitance to maintain crossover frequency.
        
        I'm a big fan of trying to optimize the STOCK design before making big changes, not to say the other approach won't work. I would be beyond my confidence level making electronic changes without understanding them better>
        
        Too much is never enough
RE: 1.6QR Inductor - Hoshi 05:51:13 09/18/10 (0)
Hi Lynxo,

I needed a 3.5mh and 1.0mh inductor as well for a pair of MG2.5 that I am in the process of modifying. I just received my special order 12ga air core foil from Alpha Core. You can buy from them direct. I used these inductors in the past when I modified my SMGa's with great results. Several here that do XO upgrades use air core foils for their Magnepans.

Alpha Core did the special order valued inductors at zero change. You just need to purchase a one step large inductor and they build your to specification. It took about 10 days from ordering to receiving the product. Most of that time was due to shipping; Bridgeport, CT to Seattle, WA. Others have used the Jantzens air core foil with excellent results as well. Make sure to do 12ga.

Hoshi
RE: 1.6QR Inductor - pictureguy 23:19:57 09/17/10 (2)
Looks no better than the stock inductor.

Try some inductor design sites and see what you come up with for a DIY.

If you want higher power handling capacity and near stock resistance, you CAN do it with 13 ga or 14 ga wire. No need to go wacky.

PM me and I'll send you my dimensions / wire call out for a 3.5mh inductor.

What else are you planning on doing to the crossover?
Too much is never enough
- RE: 1.6QR Inductor - Lynxo 00:43:26 09/18/10 (1)
  Hi,
  
  Thanks for replying. Sent you a PM.
  
  For future plans, I might try swapping out all the caps with sonicap gen I and the .1uF with a sonicap gen II.
  
  I've seen some use air core foil inductors used in this application.
  - RE: 1.6QR Inductor - pictureguy 08:44:23 09/18/10 (0)
    Just my opin, since I have 1.6s, and am in the think stage of crossovers.
    I would look to making (indeed, am) my own inductor. Plenty of calculators online and some theory articles to guide you in the right direction. Read.....no more! I'm building a winding jig which will allow me to build a pair of MATCHED inductors. Liberal use of epoxy glue followed by some low-temp oven time will make 'em rock solid.
    Caps? From the inexpensive Solon in the panel all the way to ridiculous levels where you could easily spend 1000$ per panel.
    
    I just think that::
    Crossover mods on an otherwise stock panel are getting ahead of yourself.
    Aircore inductors are the obvious way to go. especially if you like it loud.
    Better caps than stock take up a LOT more room.
    Don't start tossing $$ around. Come up with an integrated plan.
    Send away to Peter Gunn and get his crossover design. Just to think about.
    
    My personal approach includes getting 'good with wood'. I'm in a college level woodshop class and plan to reframe my panels. With the reframe will come external crossover boxes. The stock crossover will be transferred to this box, but later a new crossover will be built. I intend to build a premium version of the stock crossover. I'm looking downstream a couple years.
    
    Too much is never enough

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

McShane Design