Focal JM Lab Chorus LCR700 crossover upgrade suggestions

Hi all,

Recently bought a used Chorus LCR700 (built in 2001, I believe). The low frequencies are muddy and lack dynamics, mids sound shouty and nasally, and the highs are smeared and lacking detail. Please provide specific component replacement recommendations for the crossover. I aim to keep to this project under $100. Thanks!
 

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Here is a shot of the front. I haven’t tried listening without the crossover. I bought it used to work as my center channel. The tweeter surround is slightly damaged but without noticeable affect on its performance. That said, I would replace it if the price was right. The drivers are in perfect condition, with no signs of overheating or damage at all. Overall, the unit appears to be in good physical shape without signs of serious neglect or abuse.

When listening over a longer period, I can hear gradual changes in its sonic performance. Lows and low mids shift between more and less muddy/boomy. Highs seem to shift, too, and are quite grainy overall. This is why I suspect it’s electronics as the culprit.

With specific recommendations for upgraded crossover components (including brand, series, specs/parameters), I’ll install them and report what I find.

Thanks!
 

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As a centre do you have them oriented properly (ie woofers should be in a vertical line.

I would also try stuffing the vents to see what changes that makes.

As to caps, i would get some black Solen plastic caps. you will not be able to fit them into the available space on the board so some creativity needed.

I also suspect the box is poorly braced MDF which can be improves.

Before messing with the XO i would ensure the problem not elsewhere first.

What amplifier are you using?

dave
 
In my investigations, those Focals use a cheaply built tweeter known for issues.
And the woofers, if they are the plastic/polymer basket types, tend to warp from the weight of the large magnets, causing voice coils to rub.

For a manufacturer to make such a speaker and charge such a rediculous price for them, it's a damn shame.
 
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As a centre do you have them oriented properly (ie woofers should be in a vertical line.

I would also try stuffing the vents to see what changes that makes.

As to caps, i would get some black Solen plastic caps. you will not be able to fit them into the available space on the board so some creativity needed.

I also suspect the box is poorly braced MDF which can be improves.

Before messing with the XO i would ensure the problem not elsewhere first.

What amplifier are you using?

dave
The LCR was marketed as being positionable vertically and horizontally. However, the cabinet came from factory to be installed vertically only. To make the logo readable in the horizontal position, I would have to cut two small channels into the cabinet mounting surface to accommodate the tweeter wires.

With my ear a few inches away, the mid-driver fluctuates over time between sounding more or less distorted/bloated, like it’s receiving a signal fluctuating between slightly and heavily clipped. My receiver is an Anthem MRX 500. It sounds perfect with my Alesis Monitor One. Nothing appears to be physically wrong with the driver itself.
 
In my investigations, those Focals use a cheaply built tweeter known for issues.
And the woofers, if they are the plastic/polymer basket types, tend to warp from the weight of the large magnets, causing voice coils to rub.

For a manufacturer to make such a speaker and charge such a rediculous price for them, it's a damn shame.
I agree. This cabinet is low quality particle board covered by veneer. I can’t hear any coil rubbing but that’s not to say there isn’t a potential problem with it. My tweeter edge appears to be splitting into layers while also separating from the surround - a relatively common problem from what I have seen online. Overall, I am disappointed with it, as this speaker line that was touted quite highly in the early 2000’s.

I will try rotating the mid driver to see if it’s performance changes at all. If the driver itself is fine, I may consider building a custom crossover.
 
The LCR was marketed as being positionable vertically and horizontally. However, the cabinet came from factory to be installed vertically only.

The first is the marketing dept. Looks like the second was a last ditch attempt by the engineers. Sideways MTMs are pure marketing.

Anthem MRX 500

Really good for AV stuff.

dave
 
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I agree. This cabinet is low quality particle board covered by veneer. I can’t hear any coil rubbing but that’s not to say there isn’t a potential problem with it. My tweeter edge appears to be splitting into layers while also separating from the surround - a relatively common problem from what I have seen online. Overall, I am disappointed with it, as this speaker line that was touted quite highly in the early 2000’s.
Touted - highly...
Reviews, along with consumers who have no technical abilities/knowledge about manufacturing quality.....
All Marketing blabber in order to sell stuff these days.

The kicker is, those manufacturers KNOW that people will buy-into the face value that they promise.
And they KNOW that consumers are ignorant of how things are made.
And that the average consumer would not venture into taking something apart and SEEING the slop behind the walls of a given product.

By then, the warranty is out of date.... the manufacturer and dealer has gotten your money, and you're own your own.

Sad state of affairs today.
 
I paid $40 for it so I’m willing to experiment (install higher quality crossover components, redesign the crossover, install a new tweeter, build a cabinet out of actual wood, etc.) as a learning project while getting it to sound like something worth keeping.

Yes, I am increasingly of the mind that building my own speakers applying proven designs and quality parts is a more affordable/enjoyable way to continue with the hobby.