Experience with Fountek NeoCd2.0

[Zaph]

I'm taking a break from the forums for a bit, but before I disappear, I'm looking for people with real experience of the Foundtek NeoCd2.0 5" ribbon tweeter.

I've had my hands on hundreds of dome tweeters, but my experience with ribbons is a little limited, other than knowing that they blow easily. Even if you breath on them wrong. The kind of info I'm looking for is what I can get away with for a crossover without damage. I haven't investigated low end distortion yet, but I'm more concerned about damage. (I fried both of the last ribbons I touched many years ago)

The information in the tweeter's PDF file says nothing more than "Effective from 1,200Hz upwards" and "Recommended crossover frequency: 2,000Hz / 2nd-Order." Is that 2nd order acoustic target slopes or is it electrical configuration, which would likely result in 4th order acoustic? Has anyone tried 2nd order acoustic and driven it to loud levels without damage?

[DIY_newbie]

Zaph,

I'm using the pure aluminum version (JP2.0) in my project. Its an excellent tweeter I would be interested to see how it compares to the NeoCd2.0. I am using 4th order electrical and crossing at 2K without any signs of stress on the tweeter..

Regards,

--Chris

[Henckel]

I am using the Aurum Cantus 2GSI which compares to fountek JP 3.0 in many ways. This so far without blowing it - using active crossover at 2,3 KHz(without Capacitor in series) and also passive 2nd order filters at approx 2,5 KHz. For measurement always have 20uF in series.

Btw an articel here details the change of ribbon: http://home1.stofanet.dk/troels.gravesen/ ( at the very bottom of the page ).

It might be of interest that the German magazine Hobby HIFI in oct/november 2005 issue has tested a bunch of Ribbon tweeters including JP 2.0/3.0 and Neo 2.0/3.0. According to their measurement the JP version has lower distortion in 2-5 KHz range as compared to the Neo. Above 5KHz the Neo prevails - would be very interesting to see some of Zaphs thorough test on this.

Morten

[Joules]

interesting to see some of Zaphs thorough test on this.

That would be Zaph-Grafts

Yes I would like to see some ribbon test also.

...And Zaph, don't be gone long...ok?

[Zaph]

Originally posted by Henckel
It might be of interest that the German magazine Hobby HIFI in oct/november 2005 issue has tested a bunch of Ribbon tweeters including JP 2.0/3.0 and Neo 2.0/3.0.

Does anyone have a copy of this? I would be very interested, since I don't have all of those ribbons on hand. If not a copy (not sure how legal that would be) just a larger overview of the results would be nice.

Why do the germans have all the cool DIY magazines? All we have in the states is Audio Express, which is too much useless tubes / amps fluff for me.


John

[dantwomey]

Rick Craig at Selah Audio has quite abit of experience with these ribbon tweeters. Contact him and see what he is willing to share.

Selah Audio


Regards,
Dan