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Tekton Double Impact & Comb Filtering

Like many of you, I have been pondering purchasing these speakers but am very curious about the unusual tweeter array. I asked the smartest speaker person that I know (he is a student of Sean Olive) about the design and below is what he had to say.   

"In theory it could work, but the driver spacing means that the crossover point would need to be very low.
He is using the SB acoustics tweeter which is 72mm in diameter, center to center on the outside opposing drivers is around 5.7 inches, which is about 2400Hz. This means that combing would stop between 1/4 to 1/2 of the wavelength (between 1200-600Hz) is where the outside tweeters should start playing nice with each other.
Since he is not using low enough crossover points he has created a comb filtering monster. Now while it's not the great point source that was promised, it's no worse than most line arrays and the combing will average itself out given enough listening distance.

The MTM spacing on the other hand is ridiculous. Hopefully he is cutting the top end off on one of those midrange drivers to avoid combing."

seanheis1
tektondesign
205 posts
 
Once again, and for the record... why I choose to not publish measurements:

"I've discerned over the years, the biggest gripe the critical types have with me is my decision to not publish measurements and/or extremely detailed loudspeaker specs. This really sends the tweakers into orbit! I design and build 'audio engine's'. Roger Penski, an internal combustion racing engine master said: "If you say anything to anyone, it's like cutting your paycheck in half." I appreciate his sentiment and wisdom."

Eric Alexander - audio designer
erik_squires
16,202 posts
 
I rather agree with Eric.

Also, this BS phase / comb filter issue is easy to test two ways

1. Play music. Sit in sweet spot. Stand up. Sound weird? No? No problem.

2. Play music. Walk across the sound field. Sound weird? No? Then no problem.

The basic FR measurements would not cover this. Off-axis measurements would, and all speakers have some of this. However had Eric really flubbed the tweeter array, it would be absolutely obvious to any listener. This isn't a hidden attribute only the best listeners could hear. ANYONE could hear it if present.

Best,

E
213runnin
914 posts
 
Two Erics agreeing, there must be some kind of good karma wrapped up in that. :)

As to the statement that no measurements are published, there are several published on each Tekton model, save one. Hey Eric, publish what you want, it’s your company. The Enzo XL, which Stereophile measured, went up to 6 decibels to the plus and minus, which adds up to a 12 decibel swing.

So one thing can be certainly said, those speakers will color the sound, and change the music from what the artist intended. And since Tekton withholds this spec from every single model, one can assume that all of their speakers color the sound. Not my cup of tea.

PS: B&W do indeed publish the frequency response, which is what I’m referring to. frequency range with - or + decibel range. So then I looked at the Martin Logan site. Same thing, they include the decibel range, not sure what point you’re trying to make, Eric S.
seanheis1 OP
627 posts
 
So one thing can be certainly said, those speakers will color the sound, and change the music from what the artist intended.
This is not necessarily a bad thing as one can argue that hifi is getting things better than the original recording. Of course that's a preference. 

It's common for some hifi brands to voice a rising response from 2-7k to give the speaker it's over detailed sound. The "I'm hearing things in the recording that I've never heard before" is a clue that you are listening to boosted speakers. A dip in the presence zone from 7-8k helps the speakers "disappear."

IMO, this is part of the fun of hifi. If we wanted super accurate speakers, we would be talking about our Genelec Studio monitors, which were probably used in the studio by the recording engineers. But these speakers are no fun to listen to...no extra sparkles, dips, or sweetness.

At the end of the day, the recording engineers go home and listen to the sweet lies of their hifi systems.  

hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
213runnin

1) Your post said "frequency graph" and not range or response. So that is why some people said that you are wrong about other manufacturers posting graphs. 

2) You are wrong again. 
     Tekton does include frequency numbers on some of their speakers. As an example on one, the DI. 
+/- 1dbl 70hrz - 20krz. Range 20hrz - 30krz. 
On another it is +/- .05dbl with the same measurements. 
Yes, the +/- range below 70hrz is not stated. But I highly doubt it is not in an acceptable range. 

I think what Tekton is trying to stress is that these two speakers are ruler flat in the most critical areas. 

Also l must say that you either have an agenda or are trolling because you continue to mention the Stereophile review which is about A DIFFERENT MODEL. You continue to bad mouth the design and the build. But you have NO personal experience with them. 

Look, you're not entitled to SAVE everyone from themselves. 

Just my opinion. Except the measurements. 
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