Tweeters that dont drill your ears

[Telstar]

Foreword: I'm extremely sensitive to HF distortion (of all kinds). I cannot stand all commercial loudspeakers that i can afford and most of those that i cannot. I'm obviously building my own speakers.

I don't want to discuss about the configuration (one, two, facing up, inclined, front and back, closed box, or dipole). The tweeter must be extended up to 30k (and decent off-axis too), to give enough ambience, very linear without peaks from 5k up, with extremely low HD, IMD and PD (power distortion).

I'm trying to make a list of what really stands, according to the above parameters. I'm considering supertweeters as well, since I don't care about anything under 5k.

Some candidates that may come close to the requirements are (alphabetical order):

Accuton D²20-6 (diamond)
Accuton D²30-6 (diamond)
Dynaudio Esotar² 110 (silk)
Dynaudio Esotar T330 (silk)
Manger MSW
Morel Supreme (silk)
PHY-HP TW37 (piezo, paper)
Scan-speak illuminator (ring, maybe- too many models and diff specs)

Comments on each of them are welcome. Comparisons even more.

I'll start. The smaller Accuton is the one that I listened in the B&W diamond signature and it gave me a VERY favorable impression. Pity it costs an arm and a leg.
Next is the Esotar2 on a pair of Dynaudio C2.

What about plasma tweeters/supertweeters? Anybody made them?

[kyrie48]

I've been extremely surprised by even lost cost tweeters sounding really good, depending on how well they avoid beaming... even sounding as good as much "better" [pricey] drivers. This is the first thing I look at in a twetter, tone being second, and distortion third.
IMHO, this would be the most important consideration especially for MTM's or "ear level" designs.

[StigErik]

What about this one?
http://www.hiquphon.dk/page4.html

[jomatecc]

Ive had rewarding experience working with SEAS Excel T25CF-002 Millennium tweets they're as smooth as tweeter gets without actually hiding the fine details in the music.

cheers

[MisterTwister]

most of the time it's not the tweeter that drills your ears, it's woofers' cone resonance.

[terry j]

Originally posted by MisterTwister
most of the time it's not the tweeter that drills your ears, it's woofers' cone resonance.

could have been just my 'lack of knowledge' at the time, but what I always thought was 'screeching tweeter' always turned out to be midrange!!

so I agree that this aspect must be investigated at least, tho I do presume a greater knowledge of speakers by the OP than I possessed.

[Piek]

Don't forget the affordable ones:
Visaton KE25SC
Monacor DT-25TI

Otherwise I cannot contribute more, because I never heard any tweeter in 'high end' speakers that was better in any way than what you can buy for 50~120€.

-Micha

[HiFiNutNut]

The Seas Millenium is easy to work with. The Esotar T330D is not, unless you cross it really high at 5kHz to 7kHz. I am sure I will get it working, but with 3 opamps at the minimum. With passive XO there is no hope for it. That is my experience any way. I would be interested in SS6600 but its 4R impedance worries me. I do like to find something with 93dB sensitivity and 1000W transient capability like the Esotar T330D but without the unsatisfactory frequency response profile.

Regards,
Bill

[dlneubec]

These are some very low distortion dome tweeters. The Peerless is a great bargain, but does not extend flat as high as the others.

Scanspeak 6600
Seas T25SCF001
Peerless 810921

If you have not seen it, take a look at the tweeter tests at Zaph Audio:
Tweeter mishmash

[Telstar]

Originally posted by dlneubec
These are some very low distortion dome tweeters. The Peerless is a great bargain, but does not extend flat as high as the others.

Scanspeak 6600

I like the other SS tested at Zaph, the 60210 - it has less rising top end. Smooth rolloff is a must for me.

Seas T25SCF001
Peerless 810921

If you have not seen it, take a look at the tweeter tests at Zaph Audio:
Tweeter mishmash

I have that site in my bookmarks. It's a pity the HD tests stop at 10k, right where I need to know the most how the (super)tweeters behave

The Peerless is so cheap that I can give it a try, just to experiment (and measure myself).

Among the cheap ones on Zaph tests, also the Seas 27TDF looks very good for me.