Q. re Gemme Tanto Tweeter Replacements


Hi All.  I’m writing to ask what forum members may think of tweeter replacements or upgrades for Gemme Audio Tantos.  I love the speakers, but one of the tweeters is acting up.  I’m not sure yet whether I will need to replace it, but the issues brings up a question.

When I communicated with their designer Robert Gaboury quite a while ago, he mentioned that several owners had replaced the tweeters with Eton 26HD3 in order to get a bit more upper end in the sound.  He had no personal experience on precisely how the change sounded.  Since then, I’ve seen some sales of Tantos, where the owner replaced the tweeters with other models, perhaps because the original tweeters (Peerless by Tymphony XT19TD00-04 ¾" Dual Radiator) no longer appear to be available.

Regardless of the reason for the replacement, I would love to hear from those who have experience with Tantos with different model tweeters.  Even if I don't need to replace anything this time, perhaps newer tweeters may sound even better and could extend the life of the towers generally.  What model tweeters were used and what was the difference in sound compared to the originals???

Any information would be appreciated.  Much thanks in advance!

swingfingers

I was referring to how he got the tweeter output in decibels to balance that of the woofer (with the only adjustment being a single cap that limits the low frequency signal input to the tweeter).

Typically tweeters have higher sensitivity than woofers (the tweeters play louder) and they are attenuated (their SPL reduced) by the use of a more complex crossover or the use of an L-Pad if the tweeter is connected with but a single cap.

In your Gemme the woofer has a higher sensitivity of 91.5bB VS the tweeter being rated @ 85dB (no padding required and both drivers are rated @ 4 ohms).

The design of your speaker  makes me think that I should try some 90db, or so, tweeters (connected by a single cap) with my single drivers (all of which are in the 95dB range and which are either 8 or 16 ohms).

Before I used an L-Pad or moved the position of the tweeter behind that of the main driver or positioned the tweeter to fire backwards at the speaker wall.

Never thought of using a tweeter with a sensitivity lower than that of the main driver.

L-Pad...

http://diy-fever.com/misc/l-pad/

DeKay

DeKay, thanks for the great explanation!  I generally like the sound of the Tantos and have always believed that a large reason for their clarity is due to the lack of a crossover.  I have no real experience in speaker design, though, so that has always been based on my limited understanding.

It sounds as if I were to change tweeter models, the sensitivity rating would be at least as important as any of the other specs.  Food for thought!

 

I have little technical knowledge - just what I've been forced to absorb when experimenting with various stuff.

After reading multiple reviews of the Tanto V1 I tried to find a good sound demo, but only found bad ones.

I would take a chance on ordering what appears to be the original tweeters while they are still hopefully available.

Once those are in hand (and they work) then experiment.

 

Dekay

After reading multiple reviews of the Tanto V1 I tried to find a good sound demo, but only found bad ones.

I'm not sure what you mean by a sound demo?  Do you mean in-store, at a show, or online?  I tend to think it's very difficult to find anything worthwhile online for hifi speakers, but maybe I'm just not aware of where to look? 

I bought mine used and almost didn't go ahead with the purchase because I didn't love the way they sounded as set up in the prior owner's space.  But the room was very large and sparsely furnished with all hard surfaces.  I tried to listen past the room and ended up buying them because I thought I heard their potential (and really liked both pro and user reviews).  Once I put them in my room which is smaller and has more furniture with a rug, etc., I thought they sounded great! 

I meant Youtube videos with sound.

Not a great reference for speakers not previously heard in person, but better than nothing.

Either the music and/or the room was off in the demos I found (one video showed a wall of glass close to and directly behind the speakers).

Online reviews of your speakers were extremely positive, but what got my attention was how they were described as sounding when listened to way off axis in that they had an extremely wide dispersion pattern that worked.

 

A few stories as to why I would be inclined to purchase OEM replacement tweeters now (I would go for 4 @ least:-).

 

6-9 months ago my wife told me that coffee prices would be going up (we drink an inexpensive espresso brand from Puerto Rico that is our favorite regardless of price).

I then purchased a 12 month supply (it comes in vacuum packed bricks with good expiration dates that have been fine in the past even after the X-dates).

When the storms recently hit Puerto Rico I immediately purchased an additional 24 month supply, which came with mid 2025 X-dates.

It's now a daily treat that I don't have to think/bother with for the next 2+ years.

 

My  wife complains about me dragging in DVD players and flatscreen TV's that I find left out on the street (I test them and if they have problems I put them back out for pickup and I only chose clean/newer models).

Recently our TV was knocked over and the sound was distorted once I hooked it up again.

I replaced it with a larger 26" street found Samsung that ended up having better sound/picture quality (I have another street found 36" LG, which tested fine, as a backup for the 26" - I'm not picky about TV/Video).

We have only purchased one DVD payer since we started using them 20+ years ago (though I'm out of spares @ this point).

 

One night a 3-4 years ago our microwave oven fried in the middle of heating up various leftovers and cooking rice.

My wife didn't know that I had picked up a "street" microwave as I had hidden it in the trunk of my car.

I told her that I would get another one and left the apartment (the found microwave still had the protection stickers and power cord wrap on it - had probably never been used).

When she checked back 30 minutes later the "new" oven was already installed (took me a few minutes to properly clean and ready it to go).

The found microwave was bright red (aside from lipstick I do not like red and my wife know this - she does likes red/a lot).

She said how did you make it to/from the store so fast and I'm shocked that you picked red.

I told her that it was the only color available.

 

DeKay