Why not a ribbon tweeter instead of a horn tweeter?

[Curly Woods]

I was thinking about adding the Fostex T90A to my Sachiko/Fostex 208 Sigma build, but now I am rethinking that to use a ribbon tweeter instead. I really can not see a down side to this, but maybe I am overlooking something. If I am please inform me before I start this build
The Fountek NeoCd2.0M, a 5" ribbon tweeter which is 98 db efficient. This should be fine with minimal need to damp the tweeter to match the Sigma 208. What do you all think about this?

 

[JC951t]

Looks like we're searching for the same answer.
I like the sound of ribbons but the set back that
I've notice is low dispersion characteristics.

 

[Curly Woods]

The dispersion aspect does not bother me. I have owned ribbon speakers in the past and do not mind a sweet spot to deal with. I am usually always seated when I am seriously listening anyway

 

[JC951t]

Hi Micheal,

I know what you mean. Yes aside from horn tweeters which I have no experience, ribbons sounds the most realistic to me.
Always very sweet & clear without sounding hi-fi. Considering
the Fountek's surface area, the sound could be overpowering
when used in conjuntion with your Sigma's. Might drown out the
lows.

 

[Curly Woods]

I don't think that will be an issue with drowning out the lows.

I will be crossing over at a very high frequency (approx. 10K) so I do not feel that will be an issue. The extra surface area will hopely just lower the distortion.

 

[planet10]

Ribbons are often used (Basszilla for instance).

The downside of a ribbon is that its dispersion is wider than a typical horn, so there is more of a dispersion flare at the XO.

That said when i use a supertweeter on my FonkenPrimes, half the time it is a set of CSS Ribbons (Aurum Cantus) or a set of Foster horns.

dave

 

[JC951t]

Hi Micheal,

I'm looking at crossing over at 8-10k too but am notsure
if this range is correct as I'm building my first wide range
2 way speaker. Any advice ?

Thanks

 

[planet10]

Re: I don't think that will be an issue with drowning out the lows.

I will be crossing over at a very high frequency (approx. 10K) so I do not feel that will be an issue. The extra surface area will hopely just lower the distortion.

For use as a supertweeter a shorter ribbon will be better.

dave

 

[Curly Woods]

Why is that Dave?

What does the shorter ribbon gain you? The frequency length does get shorter as frequency increases, but is it really that important at these frequencies?

 

[planet10]

The taller the ribbon, the poorer the vertical dispersion, a uniform dispersion will have a better match to the FR. Also a longer ribbon is usually a trade-off between HF for LF to enable a lower XO.

dave