One of the best tweeters ever, whatever happened?


I own a pair of the amazing Optimus 5 (yeah, that's right, RADIO SHACK) speakers with the Lineaum tweeter.

I modified them according to an old article by Dick Olsher, and am still amazed by the clean, fast, transparent high frequency reproduction they accomplish.

Anyone know whatever happened to Lineaum? Seems like a killer "reference" speaker could have been made using this amazing tweeter...

BTW -- I currently own a pair of M.L. Prodigys, so I have a good reference point for high frequency reproduction ;>)
denf
There were 3 versions of these ribbons. The original design utilized a pure silk ribbon and are significantly better than both the later mylar ribbons and the polypropelene version [last version]The earliest ratshack speakers used a mylar ribbon,the rca examples employed the poly ribbons. With a little mod work they can sound very good but should be crossed where they would operate as a super tweeter only. One of the best tweeters ever? Not even close to the purity of the Ionovac or Dukane plasma [never heard the present Acapellas].
Sean;

It is in an early (1996) issue of FI magazine, volume 1, issue 4, May.

I will scan the parts list/instructions & send to you.
I once owned the Ionovac tweeter in a custom made speaker that used it, the Jenzen electrostatic curved 4 panel midrange, and 4 10" woofers. Each of these were in their own separate cabinets.

The sound was good but not great.

Richard
Drrdiamond, I tried the Ionovacs with various horns, dynamic drivers, ribbons, and even double Quads. In every instance, like in my opinion of the Acapellas, the tweeter always stood out as truly great and unlike the rest ot the speaker.

I once had the Jenzen tweeter arrangement with my Fulton Premiers. I think that, however, was a 16 panel arrangement. In this case, however, it was the tweeter, but I don't recall what the crossover point was.
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