Vandersteen Question

I’ve got original Model 5’s and have tried the rear tweeters on several occasions, but always think it is too bright.  My room is small and there is a concrete block wall behind the speakers so any rear output gets reflected back.  I did have some cotton tapestries directly behind the speakers but that didn’t really change the results.  

..just some extra thoughts.  When using my headphones, the striking of a cymbal, the crack of a claves, etc is very fast...you can hear the strike, and then the sound.  When using no Vandersteen  rear tweeter...its as the headphones, but recessed...listen very carefully to hear it.   When using the tweeter, the body of the stike is there, but the actual strike is "confused".   I'm thinking that the phase is screwed up with that rear tweeter.  My room is very big with 16 ft ceilings....I use the tweeter, but just barely.  Its like sub woofers....if you hear it, its way too loud.

What are you guys talking about! Richard would not spend the money to put that rear tweeter on the speaker if it didn’t have a purpose. It clearly states in the manual that it is one hundred percent distortion because all of the information in the recording has been reproduced by the front tweeter but that some rooms need it is treatment is not an option. It also helps compensate for age.

 

And what is super cool is that in addition to everything Johnny said above - there are some dry studio and even live recordings where ambieint / spatial information is deficient / missing that the added cost of the rear tweeter ( which is not peanuts $$ ) is very justified.
since it’s there. A wise audiophile would take that opportunity to discern differences and experiment, just as all the posters / owners are doing :-)))

The really strong and ambitious can also spin those fives around and bounce everything off that rear wall !!!!! Don’t try that after a libation or three!!!

have fun