Merlin uses a Zobel.
Dynauadio and Thiel have so many parts in their crossovers, despite a great deal of them being first order, that I would guess there is a Zobel in there.
Whether or not you actually need one is more the question. There are two schools of thought. Yes, you present a more flat impedance, and many feel the woofer or midrange "work" better. Others, including myself, go along with the no free lunch philosophy, seeing this manifested in additional crossover parts robbing dynamics and/or immediacy.
Whose side is right? Both, and neither. You can build a good speaker either way. Certainly, I hold the Merlins that Bobby builds in the highest esteem sonically. Our three way Frieds use a grand total of four parts in the crossovers, with no Zobel. Zobels are a lot more popular with those who implement series crossovers, such as in our Frieds, but we don't go with them. You may want to experiment, trying the circuit with and without it. My only caution is to make sure both the speaker and the coil and the resistor are all broken in to give you the most accurate snapshot as to whether or not the Zobel is your cup of tea.
Dynauadio and Thiel have so many parts in their crossovers, despite a great deal of them being first order, that I would guess there is a Zobel in there.
Whether or not you actually need one is more the question. There are two schools of thought. Yes, you present a more flat impedance, and many feel the woofer or midrange "work" better. Others, including myself, go along with the no free lunch philosophy, seeing this manifested in additional crossover parts robbing dynamics and/or immediacy.
Whose side is right? Both, and neither. You can build a good speaker either way. Certainly, I hold the Merlins that Bobby builds in the highest esteem sonically. Our three way Frieds use a grand total of four parts in the crossovers, with no Zobel. Zobels are a lot more popular with those who implement series crossovers, such as in our Frieds, but we don't go with them. You may want to experiment, trying the circuit with and without it. My only caution is to make sure both the speaker and the coil and the resistor are all broken in to give you the most accurate snapshot as to whether or not the Zobel is your cup of tea.