The upgrade path that makes the most sense to me is shown below. I would make improvements in this order, putting the upgrades that make the most audible improvements closer to the front of the list.
Something else I would highly suggest is to add two to four subs in a multi-sub configuration. This is an upgrade that should probably be ranked ahead of all those listed above, in that it provides smoothness of bass and midbass, even into the lower midrange. Adding subs doesn't just give you impact for movies - this is for hifi too. Bass notes are more balanced from note to note, cello and male vocalists are given warmth and depth. Nothing smoothes the modal range better, so this is something else to consider when budgeting upgrades to your sound system.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18783 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
The three π subwoofer kit includes a PI-12 woofer, wired connector panel and a printed copy of the plans. For a crossover, I suggest something like this:
Nice job on the xover Wayne. It's too bad someone doesn't make a single to dual SIP pcb. There are single to dual DIP configurations though. Here's one we use in headphone amps all the time.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18783 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
Thanks for the link, Shane! I wish I had known about those before making my little perfboards - they were a lot of work! With the right adapter, it makes this upgrade pretty easy.
Cool. The only thing I don't like about those is they are surface mount (SO8 chips). With thru-hole mounting you could put a socket on it and swap chips more easily.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18783 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
You're right, and the surface mount chips are smaller and harder to solder. But that little crossover box doesn't have much room in there. Not that I'll necessarily have that as my only application for these little daughterboards, but the modded sub crossover is a useful product, inexpensive and good sounding. Works real well for multi-sub setups. So I'm thinking I may want to have a few of them around, maybe make them available, or maybe just mod kits.