I have owned a set of 2CeSignatures for several years; six months ago I purchased a Vandersteen Model 2W subwoofer on eBay. (Presumably, these two components should work well together.) There were no crossovers devices with the shipment (my mistake). A high-pass filter must be injected between the signal source (preamp) and the amplifier. The specifications of that filter are subject to a set of variables including the input impedance of the amplifier. At sale, Van supplied an adjustable crossover component (W-X2) that could be used to ear-test and determine the correct crossover device; once determined, the user could purchase a set of permanent filters form a Van distributor; and the W-X2 would no longer be necessary.
Lacking the W-2X, and using an online filter calculator, I built a few simple. cap/resistor filters using 50Hz cut-off, and random capacitance and resistance values (C/R values were set based on what I had sitting around; notice no input impedance is contained in that calculation.) Nothing worked, so I gave up and bought a W-X2 from a long time Van dealer ($140). Following instructions, I set the only adjustable (dip switch) value which was to be one level below the amp impedance; in my case, with a 50K Hz amp, the next lower value was 33Hz. Works fine, sounds good.
Assuming that 33Hz stays as the most pleasing level, I will have to find a dealer that carries a set of 30-40 year old filters marked "33." Why don't I just keep using the W-X2 and forget finding permanent filters? Per a short conversation with Richard Vandersteen, he told me to be sure to get permanent high-pass filters because the components in the W-X2 were crap and sounded like it. But, what would he know?
Anyway, this is a long lead up to this question: could anyone provide a schematic so I could build my own high-pass filters?
Lacking the W-2X, and using an online filter calculator, I built a few simple. cap/resistor filters using 50Hz cut-off, and random capacitance and resistance values (C/R values were set based on what I had sitting around; notice no input impedance is contained in that calculation.) Nothing worked, so I gave up and bought a W-X2 from a long time Van dealer ($140). Following instructions, I set the only adjustable (dip switch) value which was to be one level below the amp impedance; in my case, with a 50K Hz amp, the next lower value was 33Hz. Works fine, sounds good.
Assuming that 33Hz stays as the most pleasing level, I will have to find a dealer that carries a set of 30-40 year old filters marked "33." Why don't I just keep using the W-X2 and forget finding permanent filters? Per a short conversation with Richard Vandersteen, he told me to be sure to get permanent high-pass filters because the components in the W-X2 were crap and sounded like it. But, what would he know?
Anyway, this is a long lead up to this question: could anyone provide a schematic so I could build my own high-pass filters?
The Vandersteen X-2 permanent filter is a series capacitor between the preamp output and power amplifier input that creates an 80Hz 6dB/octave high-pass filter.
This depends on the input impedance of the amplifier and the capacitor value is as follows:
C = 1/(2𝝿Rfc)
R = power amp input impedance
fc = 80Hz (the cutoff/-3dB frequency)
𝝿 = 3.1416
For 33KΩ power amp input impedance, you need a 0.06µF capacitor.
This depends on the input impedance of the amplifier and the capacitor value is as follows:
C = 1/(2𝝿Rfc)
R = power amp input impedance
fc = 80Hz (the cutoff/-3dB frequency)
𝝿 = 3.1416
For 33KΩ power amp input impedance, you need a 0.06µF capacitor.
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