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.

Low frequency * Woofer / squawker networks

High frequency * Squawker / tweeter networks

Take a peek at some installations of the extreme-slope networks

The networks in a Belle Klipsch with an Altec 811b squawker horn+JBL driver and a Beyma CP25 tweeter. These are early versions of the ES700 and the ES7500T.

Enlarge Enlarge

This a newer installation in the same speaker. It uses the ES500T and ES5800 with Trachorn 400 and the same drivers.

Here is a LaScala with the ES500T, ES5800 and the Trachorn.

Some installations of the ES400T and ES5800 (ES-Khorn combination) networks

The network with the stock K400 horn and with the Trachorn.

Enlarge Enlarge

In Klipschorn with K55+Altec 511b squawker horn and a Beyma CP25 tweeter.

Enlarge rear view Enlarge top

A comment on a comment about ES networks

Quoted from my web site:
"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."
From a certain other person's web site:
"What he is saying may be true, but it doesn't say it all. What happens with ES networks, when a piano is being played, or a singer is singing, and the frequencies from the piano or the singing go from the range that is being covered by the midrange to the range that is being covered by the woofer, and back again? I think the sound "jumps" from one driver to the other, and I think there are negative effects from this."
What he says is ALSO absolutely true and very noticeable, if you are sitting on the floor 2 feet in front of a single loudspeaker! Most of us listen to two speakers midway between them and at a distance back roughly equal to the distance between them! Remember that the alternative is to hear each sound TWICE in time when two drivers make the same sound. You hear the driver closest to you first, then the other. That will happen no matter how far you are from the speaker! This sounds good to the uninformed listener because your brain interprets it as an echo. It's like singing in the shower. It sounds good, but it's not real!
"To my knowledge, Al Klappenberger has never, and does not now own Klipsch Klipschorn speakers. He does not do any regular listening to them, or to the products he makes for the Khorn. If you find this to be as odd, unprofessional, and disreputable as I do, you'll realize that I've just given you a much more important reason to purchase products from Volti Audio (rather than ALK), than any of the others you listed in your previous email! I've owned Khorns for over twenty years. I listen to them regularly, with the products that I sell, and I evaluate new products constantly with my Khorns."
I do my instrument test on Klipschorns at the home of a friend who lives right here in town. The listening test are done by this friend who is associated with a symphony orchestra and compares the speakers to live music, not live power saws and hammers. Instrument and listening tests have been done by several reputable people. Not just one. Fact is, I have owned a set of Belle Klipsch for over 30 years. These use the very same components as the Khorn except for the length of the squawker horn and the single fold woofer. They provide a very good test platform for products intended for the Khorn.
"So, right now, I still recommend the ALK Universal networks! LOL. I have always liked the sound of these networks with Khorns, and it's no exception with the fully upgraded Khorns that are sitting in my living room. I've tried many different networks, and I always come back to the Universals."
The reason for this is quite simple. He built 10 sets of universals under license from me. He has since terminated the license because I had the audacity to offer a 2-inch horn to compete with the V-Trac! He can not build any more. If you really like the Universal better you will soon need to get them from me anyhow! He also thought a lot more of the extreme-slope concept when he evaluated the ES300 prototype I designed specifically for him and have decided not to produce. Anybody care to venture a guess why not?
ALK