SB Acoustics SB29 or Peerless HDS for 1.5khz Xover?

[Tyson]

I'm looking to use one of these 2 tweeters - the SB Acoustics SB29 or the Peerless HDS tweeter with the midrange driver Peerless Nomex 6.5" midwoofer 830875. I've got a Behringer DCX 2496 and am wanting to use L-R 4th order crossovers between them. What would be the best choice?

[DcibeL]

I'm sure you've looked at the 3rd party distortion measurements at Zaph's site?

The Peerless HDS (now a scanspeak labelled driver) is a better driver for low crossover frequencies. If you want to use the SB29, I would recommend a bit higher crossover, maybe 1.7 or 1.8kHz, however it may work well even down to 1.5kHz but you may be a bit limited by power handling. The 830875 will still be happy with a slightly higher crossover.

[tvrgeek]

I would not use any 1" tweeter that low. IMHO. The HDS is my tweeter of choice right now, but I have one of each to test. Just setting up my bench again, with my DCX plugged in this time.

[Tyson]

I looked at Zaph's site quite a bit, and the SB29 seems to have a lower frequency response (flat to 1k), where the HDS tweeter starts to roll off at 1.5khz. That's one reason I thought the SB29 would be a good choice for 1.5khz crossover. Is there a danger I'd blow up either one of these tweeters w/a crossover that low? The woofer I'm using seems to get very beamy above 1.5khz so I figured a crossover in that region would be best. Unless I'm missing something?

[tvrgeek]

You only blow up things if you play it too loud! The good thing about the SB is they are half the price of the HDS and probably almost as good. I may be going for different end results, but I am starting to think more highly of much smaller mid-woofers or even, gasp, midranges again. That's why I picked up a pair of John's little 5 inch drivers to play with.

[Tyson]

Yes, for good off-axis power response, it seems as though you have to either use a smaller driver than 6.5", or you have to use some type of waveguide on the tweeter.

I might end up going the same way you are, a smaller driver. I wonder how Zaph's driver compares to something like the Scan Speak Revelator 5 incher....

[ucla88]

Both these tweeters can be used at 1.5k in a well designed two way

Measurements

mark

[Tyson]

Oh wow, you ran 1khz test tones through the SB29 at 106db? That's FAR louder than I ever listen, so I think my 1.5 khz xover point is probably OK, based on that info.

[sardonx]

As far as damage, i woudnl't think there would be much of a difference between 1.5 and 1.7k. Tweeters of this quality shouldn't fry at either of those frequencies (or even lower) at normal or even quite loud listening levels. If you're nitpicking with distortion that's a different story. I haven't heard either of them but if you can get either i'd go the HDS made by scanspeak. That's just me though. No one will be able to guess which tweeter you'll like better. Just get one and play with the x-over frequency yourself seeing as you have the dcx. Go with what sounds good to you

[tvrgeek]

Originally Posted by Tyson

Yes, for good off-axis power response, it seems as though you have to either use a smaller driver than 6.5", or you have to use some type of waveguide on the tweeter.

I might end up going the same way you are, a smaller driver. I wonder how Zaph's driver compares to something like the Scan Speak Revelator 5 incher....

Zaph is quite good for the money. I like it better than the Dayton RS. ScanSpeak it is not.