I agree with the Op based on one experience with LXmini's, that don't have a tweeter. Based on that one experience, I'd go one further and say the best speakers aren't in a box.
The best tweeter is no tweeter
In a recent review in Stereophile for the Elac Carina over an AMT based speaker (I’m a fan of AMTs by the way) the author, Herb Reichert, makes this statement:
and then he goes on to list some speakers with AMTs, some of which I like, some of which I hate, which he feels share the same qualities. And it got me thinking about something as I hook up my home theater again. In my mind, the very best tweeters are completely invisible and transparent. I do not suggest you should use a single-driver, full ranger with a whizzer, heavens no. That’s just wrong (grin) and a clear cry for help.
What I am suggesting is that in the very best tweeters in the world, of which some are AMTs, and many are not, you simply cannot tell what they are.
That is, they are absolutely transparent. You do not perceive sound emanating from them at all. Music is just there, in front of you. Some of these are ring radiators that are really reasonably priced. Some are German or Spanish AMTs, some are diamond or Be tweeters.
In fact, my home theater has both ring radiators and AMTs in them, both of which may be found among the most prestigious brands of speakers. Though they have entirely different operating principles and materials, their performance is absolutely seamless. I barely use EQ except for the sub and center due to the latter’s location on a shelf. What both of these tweeters share is incredibly smooth output (unlike crappy AMTs or Be tweets) that is flat to beyond 20 kHz.
Please, buy what you like, but to me, if you want to talk about a world class driver, it’s not one you can sit in front of and say "aha! I know this is an Aluminum/Be/Diamond/AMT tweeter!!"
If you can tell the type of tweeter you are listening to, I can assure you it is not among the best in the world.
My personal experience suggests that the overall sound of any loudspeaker is greatly determined by the designer’s choice of tweeter.
and then he goes on to list some speakers with AMTs, some of which I like, some of which I hate, which he feels share the same qualities. And it got me thinking about something as I hook up my home theater again. In my mind, the very best tweeters are completely invisible and transparent. I do not suggest you should use a single-driver, full ranger with a whizzer, heavens no. That’s just wrong (grin) and a clear cry for help.
What I am suggesting is that in the very best tweeters in the world, of which some are AMTs, and many are not, you simply cannot tell what they are.
That is, they are absolutely transparent. You do not perceive sound emanating from them at all. Music is just there, in front of you. Some of these are ring radiators that are really reasonably priced. Some are German or Spanish AMTs, some are diamond or Be tweeters.
In fact, my home theater has both ring radiators and AMTs in them, both of which may be found among the most prestigious brands of speakers. Though they have entirely different operating principles and materials, their performance is absolutely seamless. I barely use EQ except for the sub and center due to the latter’s location on a shelf. What both of these tweeters share is incredibly smooth output (unlike crappy AMTs or Be tweets) that is flat to beyond 20 kHz.
Please, buy what you like, but to me, if you want to talk about a world class driver, it’s not one you can sit in front of and say "aha! I know this is an Aluminum/Be/Diamond/AMT tweeter!!"
If you can tell the type of tweeter you are listening to, I can assure you it is not among the best in the world.
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- 51 posts total
Kenjit, have you personally ever "swapped out tweeters" in your loudspeakers? Did you research their characteristics and the crossover points in your loudspeaker and other drivers first? Did you do any anti-phase measurements to discern how deep and symetrical the curve is between the drivers and also the linearity they sum to reproduce? And if any energy would have to be added or removed from what the drivers see to help linearity? I'm just curious |
@rixthetrick Kenjit, have you personally ever "swapped out tweeters" in your loudspeakers?yes. Ive tried with my PMC and green mountains. Did you research their characteristics and the crossover points in your loudspeaker and other drivers first? not at all. i just picked the tweeters that would fit with the least amount of drilling or cutting. Did you do any anti-phase measurements to discern how deep and symetrical the curve is between the drivers and also the linearity they sum to reproduce? none whatsoever. All of what I do is custom tuned to my ears by hand. Same way a high end piano would be tuned. And the same way all speaker engineers do it despite what they would have you believe. And if any energy would have to be added or removed from what the drivers see to help linearity? what linearity? If youre alluding to the dreaded flat frequency response then thats a myth. All I'm suggesting is that swapping a tweeter is a minor modification mechanically. It will also involve adjustments to the crossover but thesedays thats easy to do with dsp. |
kenjit "If youre alluding to the dreaded flat frequency response then thats a myth." If you are not interested in flat, neutral, uncolored frequency response then any speaker can be you're Best Speaker just pick one with you're preferred distortion, coloration, and deviation from flat FR many people like distortion so enjoy! |
The problem with most speakers is that the drivers don't add up to flat power output unless you are in the right place, which we call "the sweet spot". It's worse with disparate polar patterns, Long ribbons, like Magnepan uses in the 3.7i and up can mitigate this. 20.7s and 30.7s are pretty awesome in their orchestral scale, coherency, and naturlism. IMO, to be "best" a speaker would have to have flat power response in a quarter sphere radiation pattern and keep the sound coherent no matter where the listener is. Ohm Acoustics tries to do this with many of their Walsh-derived models, which I have not heard. German Physiks uses the Walsh principle for a full 360 degrees, just as the old Ohm F did, but given their advanced materials technology, just might be my candidate for a "best". Anyone familiar with these? |
- 51 posts total