FYI: ZaphAudio new ribbon tests

[mbutzkies]

ZaphAudio has some new ribbon driver tests that look very interesting.


/http://www.zaphaudio.com/nondomes/


John, I though you had a couple AMT-1s to test as well.

[sqlkev]

his conclusion hurts

not that I think that test is all inclusive, but I do value John's tests.

[sdclc126]

Thanks for another great comparison and "Myth Buster" John. You continue to provide some of the most valuable information out there to the DIY community.

I'll be sticking with domes thank you very much; interesting how the best ribbon is one of the cheapest, and around the price point of many of the better bang-for-the-buck domes.

[mAJORD]

lol, he loves that little vifa dome.

I wish I could get mine to behave

[joe carrow]

darn, this is great- now I just have to figure out how loud John's standard of 90db really is!

I guess I just need to invest in an SPL meter. It would give a good point of reference to what "loud" is, as well as a good thing to use against landlords for traffic/maintenance noise!

[wintermute]

Originally posted by joe carrow
darn, this is great- now I just have to figure out how loud John's standard of 90db really is!

I think that this is the most important point as John's conclusions (to me it seems anyway) seem biased towards the driver with the lowest distortion. IMO if this distortion is occuring at drive levels much higher than I would be listening, then at the levels I would be listening it may not be an issue, and other factors may be much more important. just my worth

[BobEllis]

Thanks for another informative test, Zaph. So much for time away from DIY?

You've really got me turned around. My JP-3s seem to do bells and vibes slightly better than my Focal TC120-TDX, which are slightly better on cymbals and the like. Both crossed 4th order at 2400. Zalytron was out of stock on 27TBFC/G, so I bought a couple 27TDFCs instead. Can't wait to get them into a system and listen. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be handing down my "expensive" speakers to the kids.

Originally posted by wintermute


I think that this is the most important point as John's conclusions (to me it seems anyway) seem biased towards the driver with the lowest distortion. IMO if this distortion is occuring at drive levels much higher than I would be listening, then at the levels I would be listening it may not be an issue, and other factors may be much more important. just my worth

While 90 dB is much higher than anyone should listen continuously, it is still well within the dynamic range of much music at normal average levels. I consider 60's to low 70's normal average levels. HT use is another applicaiton where this should matter, since peaks over 100 dB are possible with averages at 75 dB.

[reins]

Seems that I threw out my ribbons just in time

Thanks Zaph!

Stephan

[Landroval]

I wonder when measurements went ahead of our listening experience?

[ShinOBIWAN]

Ouch, Johns going to be hurting a lot of ego's out there.

FWIW: John actually listens to, as well as testing his drivers - always does and always has. In his commentary you mainly see references to specific measurable quantities and for good reason. Sound is subjective and mearly posting opinions on the sound wouldn't do. Instead he listens and also measures the drivers and forms a conclusion based on both factors.

I've always stood by my domes and its good to see a little vindication in the numbers. This tests doesn't suddenly mean that everyone who owns the ribbons in the tests are using less superior drivers - far from it but rather there is definite distortion being added to the sound which could either be a good or bad thing depending on your tastes - look at the tube guys vs. SS for example.

Perhaps this is why some sight ribbons as being very musical because of all the 2nd and 3rd harmonics introduced.