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Dunlavy SC IV A harsh high frequency

I have owned my SC IVA for many years. I replace the blown tweeters at least once a year. I know the original set were carefully matched at the factory but I can not duplicate the tecniques which John used in his shop to optimize response. The speakers sound glassy and I wonder if this is as a result of tweeters I have installed but would have been rejected by John. I have done a lot of work with room treatment,changing source, components, etc...
Are there any recommendations for fixing this issue?
Replace the Vifa tweeters with more expensive ones?
Thanks
128x128shumi
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
What kind of SPL levels do you listen at? Are you concerned to any degree about retaining your hearing? If you are harming your ears, the "glassy" sound could be associated with hearing loss. Hopefully not, but if you already have tinnitus, you may want to reconsider what you are doing, besides simply replacing tweeters.

Hopefully I'm wrong about your situation.

OTOH, if the problem is not hearing loss, there is a figurative world of difference between cheap and high quality drivers. You admit it yourself when you state the manufacturer would not accept the tweeters you are using. You are likely hearing that qualitative difference. One can attain harsh sound quite cheaply.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
Swampwalker makes a very good observation :-) especially with a first order crossover design like the Dunlavy where the crossover offers very little protection for the tweeter as far a power handling goes.

Dweller, I don't think Dunlavy used Electrolytic capacitors in at least the tweeter section of the crossover, I would assume that he used polypropylene capacitors which have a much longer lifespan than the 10 years you mention. Below is a link to a informative description on a XO modification the the speaker

Dunlavy X0 Modification

Best of Luck

Peter
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
I ended up using the Seas Excel T25CF-001 tweeter. It spec'd out to be a perfect match to the stock tweeter.
rja's avatar
rja
2,370 posts
 
I switched out the original tweeters to the Seas Excel after reading about Jade's modifications. I'm glad I did.

BTW: I've never blown a tweeter. If you're replacing them once a year something's not right.
shumi's avatar
shumi OP
6 posts
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I am indeed concerned about my hearing. I have done a lot of bird hunting and I fear my right ear may have some damage. I need to have it checked for sure. I also listen to concert videos at 80dBs. My right front speaker blows a tweeter more than once a year. I have loved these speakers for many years but it may be time to let them go. My 9.4 system is made up of:
2 SCIVA s front LR
1 HRCC center
4 SCIII rear and LR surrounds
2 SCIs for front wides LR
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