Tweeters with or without fluid?

@dickface - Obviously your mileage may vary, but search DIYaudio and you’ll find lots of discussions about cleaning out old tweeter voice coils with dirty or gummed up ferrofluid. That’s the only reason I know about this.

I don’t know however how much better a certain brand or model of modern FF using tweeter is vs. the early days, but certainly some top brands still have a couple of models which rely on it, and they also tend to be high power versions, which given how efficient the modern tweeter is, really are for very high output systems.

Funny.  This post is like a time warp.  I haven't heard anyone mention anything about fluid filled tweeters on 15 or 20 years.  Ferrofluid-filled tweeters?  Beautiful.     

You don’t see "ferrofluid cooled tweeter" advertised much anymore, except in cheaper speakers. Being a big Tannoy fan - this topic is intresting to explore in the 2000s era Tannoy lineup, where they used ferrofluid tweeters in the "tulip" DC drivers (lower lines and pro lines) and no-fluid compression chamber / horn tweeters ("pepperpot" DC - dry coils) in the upper half of their top Prestige line.

I have a few of both kinds, and though ferrofluid tweeters are defnitely out of fashion now, those Tannoy ferrofluid tweeters still do GREAT. Haven’t had a problem with one yet, and their treble response actually tends to be a bit smoother and more extended than the pepperpot one. However, the latter DC lends its magic in the midrange, and with its massive efficiency.

At some point I'll have to check on them and clean / replace the fluid, but frankly that seems pretty easy. The magnetic gap will hold it in place. 

I believe Vandersteen still uses ferrofluid in the tweeters of their 2 and 3 Signature speakers.