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Let's talk Tweeters!

Another thread which talked about specific speaker brands was taken over, so I’d like to start a new one.

Mind you, I do not believe in a "best" type of tweeter, nor do I believe in a best brand of speaker, so lets keep that type of conversation out, and use this instead to focus on learning about choices speaker designers make and what that may mean to the end user.

There is no such thing as a speaker driver without trade offs. Some choices must be forsworn in exchange for another.

In the end, the materials used, magnet and motor structure, and crossover choices as well as the listening room come together to make a great speaker, of which there are many. In addition, we all listen for different things. Imaging, sweetness, warmth, detail, dance-ability and even efficiency so there is no single way to measure a driver and rate it against all others.

Also, please keep ads for your 4th dimensional sound or whatever off this thread. Thanks.
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
15,772 posts
 
I was thinking of something, for those who think I’m a super AMT fan, I’m not, but I have the most experience using them in designs. :)

The following is true for me:

Some of the worst sounding, and best sounding speakers I’ve ever heard used AMT tweeters. I ascribe this to the vastly different quality of the tweeters, and the effort needed in the crossover by the inferior tweeter to get it to integrate with the rest of the design.

So to me having an AMT tweeter is no mark of quality, and I think the same for other types of drivers. It's the final execution of the driver itself, and then the speaker and it's environment.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
15,772 posts
 
Here’s another example of how different similarly named or looking tech can be. Look at comment #9 regarding the design of the prototype ribbon from Hi-Vi RT-2 for the Carver Amazing loudspeaker:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/300122-bob-carver-newest-als-system.html
bgpowell
70 posts
 
Let me throw in an unmentioned ribbon tweeter.  Newform Research produces a 30 in and 45 in ribbon tweeter.  This is a true monopole line source.  I have owned a couple of module 30's including an no holds barred model.  Different radiation pattern altogether.
erik_squires OP
15,772 posts
 
bgpowell,

Cool, what do you think? :)

E
seanheis1
594 posts
 
I would use it all the time but engaging the crossover in the preamp I use (Parasound P7) really diminishes the sound.
Sorry for being random Erik, but why does engaging the crossover in the preamp diminish the sound? 
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