Ribbon Tweeter - capacitor?

[rdf]

That's correct, with a ribbon you're probably back to reason #1.

[Mark.Clappers]

I was starting to think I was missing something here but we completly agree!

[gafhenderson]

Originally Posted by DrDyna

Speaker Workshop is probably the best free one, but it's got a bit of a learning curve to it.

If I've read this right, your intention is just to add a little sparkle to a full range driver?

yes i guess. i can hear all frequencies up to 20khz very clearly, the driver i have runs out of useful highend about 10khz, but starts to drop DB's at about 8khz, 9khz is when it would hit the same SPL as the tweeter. the high end is pretty much inaudible by 10khz. this means high hats, bite to snares and the resonances from string instruments or the gentle breathiness to vocals etc are lost and its not something that i can get used to. i picked up the tweeters to return this aspect to my music, but i'm very happy with the low-middle-high midrange area that the driver produces quite well. once in a box the low end should be sufficient for my music tastes, if not i have access to a sub if i want extra grunt for electronic music or films. its just the uppers that i'm not happy with

[DrDyna]

Originally Posted by gafhenderson

yes i guess. i can hear all frequencies up to 20khz very clearly, the driver i have runs out of useful highend about 10khz, but starts to drop DB's at about 8khz, 9khz is when it would hit the same SPL as the tweeter. the high end is pretty much inaudible by 10khz. this means high hats, bite to snares and the resonances from string instruments or the gentle breathiness to vocals etc are lost and its not something that i can get used to. i picked up the tweeters to return this aspect to my music, but i'm very happy with the low-middle-high midrange area that the driver produces quite well. once in a box the low end should be sufficient for my music tastes, if not i have access to a sub if i want extra grunt for electronic music or films. its just the uppers that i'm not happy with

You're using the NeoCD 3, right? What's the full range driver you're using?

[Inductor]

Originally Posted by gafhenderson

so the capacitor is used for crossover-less operation of a ribbon tweeter?

1. YOU HAVE A PASSIVE SYSTEM. Yes?
2. You need a crossover. Yes? There's no crossover less operation of a ribbon tweeter... (generally speaking as was already mentioned on #16 relating inductor vs. cap)

Originally Posted by gafhenderson

so if i'm gently 'rolling in' the super tweeter in the 7-9khz with a high order crossover...

Ok. The mentioned caps are an integral part of the crossover, (first order w. one cap) second or third order. You always need one or more caps in this case.

Originally Posted by gafhenderson

if i'm getting completely the wrong end of this can someone link me to an idiots version of what you're explaining, or provide a very labelled diagram?

thanks for your help

Of course, plenty of idiots version with images, that's what you should read. And other DIY's will help you w. that here, from now on.
I would start with Ribbons 101 kind of. Please post your questions for feedback as much as you want.

Decca London Ribbon Tweeter
True ribbons, magnetic planars, and high end magnetic planars
Fostex FE126E + Fountek NeoCD3 @Troels Gravesen
Designing Crossovers with Software Only
Linkwitz-Riley Crossovers: A Primer
How to Build a Speaker With Crossovers | eHow.com
Crossover Table Index

[gafhenderson]

Originally Posted by DrDyna

You're using the NeoCD 3, right? What's the full range driver you're using?

big fane driver (12-200lt), similar to the eminence beta 12lta. its coupled with a phase plug to smooth out the high end, and at some point will be EnABL'd to see if that helps with breakup too.

using the horn version of the neoCD 3.

[DrDyna]

Originally Posted by gafhenderson

big fane driver (12-200lt), similar to the eminence beta 12lta. its coupled with a phase plug to smooth out the high end, and at some point will be EnABL'd to see if that helps with breakup too.

using the horn version of the neoCD 3.

I'm not sure if 9khz is safely high enough to use a single capacitor, but it might be.

If it was mine, I'd go a little steeper than that, with a capacitor in series and a coil in parallel. A capacitor around 1.5 uF and a coil about 0.3mH looks like it'd do what you're wanting.

Imho, with that tweeter, you could probably build a much, much better sounding speaker if you were to do something like this:

Monitor W15NeoSEAS W15CY001 +

[Mark.Clappers]

Originally Posted by DrDyna

Imho, with that tweeter, you could probably build a much, much better sounding speaker if you were to do something like this:

Monitor W15NeoSEAS W15CY001 +

Or with the seas W15LY001 (that's what I did).

Trinium, my latest build

[DrDyna]

Originally Posted by Mark.Clappers

Or with the seas W15LY001 (that's what I did).

Trinium, my latest build

Yeah, those are very nice too.

[gafhenderson]

Originally Posted by DrDyna

I'm not sure if 9khz is safely high enough to use a single capacitor, but it might be.

If it was mine, I'd go a little steeper than that, with a capacitor in series and a coil in parallel. A capacitor around 1.5 uF and a coil about 0.3mH looks like it'd do what you're wanting.

Imho, with that tweeter, you could probably build a much, much better sounding speaker if you were to do something like this:

Monitor W15NeoSEAS W15CY001 +

not buying anything else, what i have is my guinea pig set up which i'm experimenting and learning with with a view to then investing real money into a final product once i've learnt to craft a system to my requirements.

also those drivers will not fill the volume of space i'm requiring them to. large open plan barn conversion with full roof height ceiling in the listening space. tehy're also only 85db efficiency meaning i'll need an even bigger amp to get the volume i'd need VS the small T-amp i have now driving the fanes @97db/watt

start with single drivers or simple 2 ways, adjust till i get something that works, then upgrade parts where needed with more exotic models etc.