18sound NSD1095N v's B&C DE250

[D OB G]

I'm using a B&C DE250 in an 18sound XT1086.

Very smooth. Great dynamics. But I'm missing some very small signal detail that I'm used to on my Esotars.

I've tried the waveguide (horn?) with and without the open-cell foam. Better without the foam IMO in every way. (equalized in both configurations- flat to 17 kHz).

Has anyone tried the top of the line 18sound driver?

I can eq with DEQX.

So I'm looking for the smoothness of the B&C, but with much more detail (shimmer on cymbals, triangles e.t.c., rosin on bow/strings).

I'm not into HT. Stereo, music, only- not at ultra loud levels.

David

[augerpro]

What exactly did you not like about the foam?

[D OB G]

In spite of what has been said about it, for me it reduced detail.

[454Casull]

Try adding some distortion.

[D OB G]

Yes, what does the distortion of something that doesn't exist sound like?

[454Casull]

Could you rephrase that? Distortion of "something that doesn't exist"? Does that mean you don't play anything through them?

[D OB G]

If I can hear fine detail on the Esotar and not on the DE 250, which is the more accurate (at least at lowish levels)? i.e. which is really distorting?

[tinitus]

Mr Ebaen at 6moon said the very same thing about a ribbon vs his Esotar
Maybe the Esotar really is a remarkable tweeter, and as good as its reputation
I have a project coming, so I am very concerned about this issue, which seems to be valid

Another member and gorn enthusiast has previously claimed that a setup with CD/waveguide lke yours really needs additional supertweeter, like one of the Fostexes, despite the difficulties
Though other members has claimed the opposite

[D OB G]

Thanks tinitus,

So perhaps DE250 plus supertweeter, or something better than the DE250 (the obvious preference).

Incidentally, 18sound show graphs of CD only to 12500 Hz. Is the XT1086 causing the loss of detail, even though the graphs look impeccable up to that point? What happens above that (even though they claim response to 18 kHz)?

[tinitus]

Man, you are an "aussie", so why dont you get yourself a nice pair of Azura horns, I dont think it gets better than that...mind you, I am a complete newbie on these matters

But I know a bit about crossovers, and proper xo function can be significant...are you sure your xo works properly, those CDs are tricky to get right