Cook Book 7ed.

[l88427sting]

Provided Link: cook book 7ed.


What i want to know is this going to teach me or tell me how to design a crossover. It talks about diffraction and stuff like that, will it relate that to crossover design?

I usually dont buy books because i usually dont read books, but since i could not find a place online that teaches you how to design crossovers, i'am hoping this book will.

Anyone have any input on what this book offers or one that teaches crossover design?

[kenc]

> What i want to know is this going to teach
> me or tell me how to design a crossover. It
> talks about diffraction and stuff like that,
> will it relate that to crossover design?

> I usually dont buy books because i usually
> dont read books, but since i could not find
> a place online that teaches you how to
> design crossovers, i'am hoping this book
> will.

> Anyone have any input on what this book
> offers or one that teaches crossover design?

This book will teach you a lot of fundamentals that you'll need to consider when making a crossover, and is an excellent resource. Well worth the money, IMO. I keep referring to it and I'm no where near understanding the whole thing.

Will it give you everything you need to know to build a crossover - no. But I can't think of any other sources that are better. Speaker Building 201 isn't bad in that are.

I bought a few books, downloaded PCD and Speaker Workshop and started experimenting with different models and filters to get a feel for it. I try to study every project I see posted here just to see how they arrived where they did. Some of the guys here have a real knack for it. There's so many different approaches and tricks and things that go into a crossover though that I doubt any single 1 book will ever summarize it.

Worth the money if you're serious about the hobby though - or find a v.6 for cheaper somewhere maybe if you're not so sure?

[marlboro]

Madisound is selling the 6th edition for $9 plus 2 bucks shipping.

Marlboro

[kenc]

> Madisound is selling the 6th edition for $9
> plus 2 bucks shipping.

> Marlboro

Geez....can't beat that...problem solved.

[gordoncalder]

Hi,

I know I’m going to get in trouble for saying this…but I can’t help myself.

On the good side, this guy is a professional speaker designer and clearly knows TONS about building speakers and there is definitely good, solid information - if you’re ever able to figure out what page its on, what units should apply to the values in the tables, etc.

BUT…as a book? In terms of explaining, presenting, displaying information in a useful manner? It really is the most amateur effort I’ve ever seen on any topic. No editor, book designer, or successful high-school english student has been within ten miles of it, and it shows.

If it's available for $9.00 - perfect, but unless the latest edition is drastically improved, it's not worth full price.

Gordon

[curt_c]

> I know I’m going to get in trouble for
> saying this…but I can’t help myself.

LOL!

Nahh! I've met a lot of technical types over the years that have, shall we say, underdeveloped social skills. IMO, Vance wrote the book like he was giving a fellow professional a refreher course. The verbiage is often less than lucid, as he just assumes everyone already understands it. -Its a problem we all have to some extent.

When I first read it (4 ed?) many statments were confusing, charts were ambiguous, etc. Now I know what he is trying to say and show, and it makes perfect sense... Vance (and I for that matter) simply has forgotten how little we knew when we started out.

Consider it a graduate level textbook. -Often they are convoluted too...

C

[damkor]

> What i want to know is this going to teach
> me or tell me how to design a crossover. It
> talks about diffraction and stuff like that,
> will it relate that to crossover design?

Yes. Reading the chapter on xovers, and doing a lot of trial and error will teach you what you need to know. Also, unless he has put in a section on the common solution to the baffle step problem, you just need to add that.

But nowadays, no one learns how to design crossovers, they just use computer software programs to do it for them.

[jonpike]

Curt, exactly my feelings, and even my experience!

It is a great book, and every serious builder should have it, but the "cookbook" reference in the title really isn't accurate. (execpt for the projects in the back) "Loudspeaker Reference Guide" would have been a better title.

Some work on organizing it in classic textbook style, (and an index!) would make it much more newby friendly. Would be a major overhaul.

And yes, going back now after much reading and learning, it is easier to understand!

The Speakerbuilding 201 book is very much more a true textbook, written by a teacher. It takes you by the hand, starts at the beginnings, and walks you thru. Much better for those who are starting out without a background, like just about everybody coming to this hobby.

[curt_c]

> Anyone have any input on what this book
> offers or one that teaches crossover design?

The cookbook title is somewhat of a misnomer. Its a good book, and well worth having, but it is not the first book you should buy, nor will any book that I am aware of 'teach' crossover design.

First I suggest you absorb something like Ray Alden's Speaker Building 201, available here at PE. -You can read my review of the book on my site:

<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/cc00541/index.html">http://www.geocities.com/cc00541/index.html</A>

I would suggest looking at other peoples designs and figuring out why they chose the topology they did. One such example is over on the HTGuide forum (link below) where Dennis Murphy, Jon Marsh, CJD, and I designed crossovers for the same speaker using the same measured data. None of the crossover topologies are the same, but they all accomplish the same objective.

<A HREF="http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=15323">http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=15323</A>

Modeling potential crossovers in CAD is a good learning experience as well, as you can instantly see the result of various topologies, component changes, etc. Jeff Bagby's excellent PCD Passive Crossover Designer freeware is available over at the FRD Consortium.

<A HREF="http://www.pvconsultants.com/audio/frdgroup.htm">http://www.pvconsultants.com/audio/frdgroup.htm</A>

C

[curt_c]

> But nowadays, no one learns how to design
> crossovers, they just use computer software
> programs to do it for them.

You are really demonstrating your ignorance of CAD programs if you think they 'design' a crossover. They can no more design the crossover than your computer can write your posts for you.

Like your paper and pencil method, the designer has to choose the drivers and the proper enclosure, the crossover topography and prudent crossover points. Sure, some programs have optimizers, but they are idiot savants, incapable of making the considered decisions necessary for good design. No one in their right mind would ever use one except in tightly controlled, 'supervised' conditions. In addition, half of any good design is the final voicing process, and that is always done with the good old Mark I Ear.

In actuality, your design process and CAD design are no different. -We just use better tools, and cut to the chase quicker.

C

[chuck]

[damkor]

> You are really demonstrating your ignorance
> of CAD programs if you think they 'design' a
> crossover.

Every time I mention the word crossover design program around here, you folks get defensive almost immediately! Methinks you protest too much. Relax. You take shortcuts. That's fine. I use a calculator, too.

[curt_c]

> Every time I mention the word crossover
> design program around here, you folks get
> defensive almost immediately! Methinks you
> protest too much. Relax. You take shortcuts.
> That's fine. I use a calculator, too.

Nah! Just caught you yet again making an inaccurate statement as if it were fact, rather than your opinion.

Your statement that CAD programs 'design' crossovers, as well as your present statement indicating they are 'shortcuts' indicate your opinion, and are untrue statements. As such they could confuse the inexperienced. Consequently, I feel it necessary to correct them.

C

[nick29498141]

I agree. And anyway is the program not only as good as it's designers? The base calculations are at heart the pncil/paper method, and when you look at all the great systems that where designed that way, ypu'd be interested to do it anyway.

NK