anybody try the Scan D2010/8513? $65 alternative to the Hiquphon

[thadman]

I searched on several forums, and couldn't find much information surrounding these drivers. Has anybody used or tested these drivers? I became intrigued with them after reading that theyre very similar to Hiquphon tweeters and after realizing their extremely low price😀

I've used the D2010/8513, but that's been some time and I think that I didn't have it optimal at the time. But it is very close to the OW1, so the character should be very close.

Actually, I'm surprised that there isn't more usage of the SS due to the cheaper price. I believe that it was designed by Oskar Wroending of Hiquphon when he worked for Scan-Speak. The OW1 is more linear, but the basic motors are nearly the same.

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=148&products_id=906
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=148&products_id=905

I'm looking for the best HF tweeter to cross to the Dayton RS52 midrange, XO will be determined predominately by CTC spacing and should lie in the 3.5-5khz range.

 

[tktran303]

This tweeter is well known amongst the circle of ProAc Response 2.5 cloners.

Of course when compared to the Hiquphon it looks relatively inexpensive. Also, since ScanSpeak recently upped it's prices on the SS 9300 and 9500 tweeters, this one seems like a bargain as it is one of the few SS drivers under $100.

I would argue that it is the Hiquphon's that are expensive. Harmonic distortion wise they are average, but linear distortion is second to none, and dispersion is very good, typical of a small 3/4" dome. In these respects it is similar to some ribbons. I know of at least 2 designers who favour ribbons tweeters, and if forced to use a dome, would give preference to the OW1, over say, an SS 9700 (extremly low harmonic distortion)

I'f you're looking for a small low cost, high performance, dome suitable for 4Khz upwards, the SEAS 22TAF/G is the one to beat IMHO.

 

[zacster]

It's kind of funny that you ask. I used the 8513 in a pair of Proac clones as suggested above, and didn't like the sound at all. I even tried all the tricks on them, opening them up to remove the ferro fluid, used damar varnish on them etc... I eventually (actually pretty quickly) replaced them with the 9500, changed the crossover and never looked back. In fact I have those speakers on right now right in front of me playing Steely Dan.

But, I was looking to build a pair of bookshelf speakers for my son and the Murphy Blaster OW1 caught my eye. Seeing how these were so similar to the HQ OW1 I used them in their place. And I'll tell you, they are pretty good there. I vaguely recall needing to pad the tweeter a bit to get the same SPL as the OW1 is rated a bit lower (or was it higher and I padded the woofer???)

I've never heard the OW1, so take all my comments with a grain of salt.h

 

[mAJORD]

It's a hard call IMO

As a proac clone user with the orignal 8513's still in place, I can certainly appreciate the problems people find with them. For me though, I just can't bring myself to get rid of them. Their dispersion, and 'warm' sound if you like have me hooked. It really is a love or hate thing with these, to the point I would honestly prefer to build a 2nd set of speakers with more accurate reproduction than actually 'replace' these tweeters in the clones. In some cases they are quite obviously inferior. In others they mate beautifully with the 8535's and are heaven.

 

[Jay_WJ]

Vifa XT19 should be another option, along with Seas 22TAF/G. I want to use this tweeter if I design a 3-way later. Mark K performed an extensive test of the Hiquophon ow2 and the XT19, and he preferred the Vifa. Here's a quote from his test page:

"Anyway, I find the nonlinear performance disappointing for the ow2. The xt19 on the other hand, is fairly close to the ow2 in off axis performance and linear distortion, but has an overall better nonlinear distortion spectrum."

"Does this mean the xt19 is a "poor man's hiquphon?" No, actually I think the xt19 is better than that. Neither tweeter is perfect and depending on your priorities, the xt19 may be better in absolute terms as well as cheaper."

-Jay

 

[Jonasz]

I've heard both of them, but not in the same design. The SS with a Seas P14 and the OW1 with a Seas Excel W15. The OW1 was much better in every regard but that could of course be the difference in the designs...