beryllium vs diamond

I got a beryllium tweeter right now. And... it's eye opening for sure.

Basically, you get super high damping/more accurate compared to lesser tweeters. BUT, due to lesser ringing of the metal, you get less (artificial) ambiance! And it can suck depending on your room/treatments.

It does sound a lot more real though.

I've heard some Be's and some diamonds that I have liked, but some I haven't. The Magico's I heard were much smoother on top than what I remember hearing last year. They just aren't my speaker as I can't emotionally connect. I've honestly tried as I was offered a pair for a rediculous price.

The one think I have liked about the Vandersteen 7's is what I stated above and that's the fact they can use the same carbon fiber in all their drivers so there is a coherent family sound that meshes really well. I am not saying it's the be all, end all by any means. In the end a great designer can build a nice sounding speaker with good quality drivers, but as we get better technolgy, the greats are upping their games and we all win. I personally don't love the idea of having Be in my home if I don't have to. I have MS and am very concerned about it even though I'm not touching the tweeters. I probably should say that as so many like those tweeters. Again, JMHO.

Cts, the Vandy 7 is a great sounding speaker given the right room and
accompanying equipment. And Vandersteen aren't standing still with
the release of the Vandy 7 Mk2 which by all reports is outstanding. I used
to own Marten Coltrane Alto's which used all-ceramic Accuton drivers top to
bottom, so I agree there are some advantages in using identical driver
materials. Interestingly, the Magico S7's use very similar materials in all
their drivers, incl: a diamond-coated beryllium tweeter (diamond being a
form of carbon), and hybrid carbon Nano-Tec/Nano-Graphene in the
midrange and bass drivers. From what i've read, the new drivers are a new
thing and breakthrough for Magico. Doubtless Magico want to stay ahead
of the game of manufacturers like Tidal, Wilson Benesch & Vandeesteen.
As you said, in the end the winners are we audiophiles.

The quality of the highs effect the midrange quite a bit....B&W's diamond tweeter in the 800 range allows for a more natural upper midrange, especially audible on strings.

Mel, I do like the new Magico's much better than before. No question for me. I have heard diamonds sound pretty good before too, but for some reason I have felt the carbon tweeters seem to be more natural. Again, just my ears.