Substitute for Focal Tweeters?

ezkcdude · 2nd January 2006, 08:11 AM

I was into DIY about 7 years ago, and have taken a long hiatus, because I was so satisfied with the results (which I am still listening to). At that time I built two sets of speakers. The one I currently listen to has Focal (TC90 or 120?) inverted dome tweeters. I know they don't sell those anymore. They are matched with the 7" Scan-Speak woofers (18W/8546?), which are still in production. My question is if I were to build speakers with a similar sound, what would be a good replacement for the Focal tweeters today? Would any of the Accuton inverted dome tweeters work well, or would it be better to go with a Scan-Speak tweeter (Revelator?). Remember, I like the current sound with the Focal, so I would be trying to re-create that sound as closely as possible.

Oh, before I forget, my other DIY speakers that I built those many years ago (which are in my dad's place) are really obsolete. They have the same Focal tweeter combined with the 8" Audax Aerogel woofer. Audax has since stopped selling to the DIY market, as well. It's a shame, because I really liked that driver. If anyone knows of a similar sounding woofer from a different manufacturer, I'd like to hear about that as well.

BobEllis · 2nd January 2006, 10:40 AM

If you really like the Focal tweeter (as I do) why not just use it? the latest versions are available from Zalytron. I have bought from Elliot many times and have never had a bad experience.

Another suggestion, that seems a bit counterintuitive due to their price is the Seas 27TBFCG or 27TDFC, at around $30. Both measured better than some very expensive tweeters (including an accuton) in Zaph's tests They can be crossed quite low and have good distortion characteristics. The Seas Millenium tweeter measures almost as well. It looks nicer and has more x-max, so it might be better in extremely low XO situations (~1KHz) if you need high output (but see Zaph's waveguide project)

rinox · 2nd January 2006, 11:44 AM

Yes, Seas 27TBFCG is one of the best sonding things I ever heard compared to it' s cost and I think it would fit Ok as replacement, but it don' t like complex crossover (no impedance compensation).
I have no idea about your crossover network, but I don't think it will so complex to eventually trimm it (maybe the sound will be OK without changes).

2nd January 2006, 08:11 AM	#1
ezkcdude diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Atlanta	Substitute for Focal Tweeters? I was into DIY about 7 years ago, and have taken a long hiatus, because I was so satisfied with the results (which I am still listening to). At that time I built two sets of speakers. The one I currently listen to has Focal (TC90 or 120?) inverted dome tweeters. I know they don't sell those anymore. They are matched with the 7" Scan-Speak woofers (18W/8546?), which are still in production. My question is if I were to build speakers with a similar sound, what would be a good replacement for the Focal tweeters today? Would any of the Accuton inverted dome tweeters work well, or would it be better to go with a Scan-Speak tweeter (Revelator?). Remember, I like the current sound with the Focal, so I would be trying to re-create that sound as closely as possible. Oh, before I forget, my other DIY speakers that I built those many years ago (which are in my dad's place) are really obsolete. They have the same Focal tweeter combined with the 8" Audax Aerogel woofer. Audax has since stopped selling to the DIY market, as well. It's a shame, because I really liked that driver. If anyone knows of a similar sounding woofer from a different manufacturer, I'd like to hear about that as well.

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2nd January 2006, 10:40 AM	#2
BobEllis diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Upstate NY	If you really like the Focal tweeter (as I do) why not just use it? the latest versions are available from Zalytron. I have bought from Elliot many times and have never had a bad experience. Another suggestion, that seems a bit counterintuitive due to their price is the Seas 27TBFCG or 27TDFC, at around $30. Both measured better than some very expensive tweeters (including an accuton) in Zaph's tests They can be crossed quite low and have good distortion characteristics. The Seas Millenium tweeter measures almost as well. It looks nicer and has more x-max, so it might be better in extremely low XO situations (~1KHz) if you need high output (but see Zaph's waveguide project)

2nd January 2006, 11:44 AM	#3
rinox diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Yes, Seas 27TBFCG is one of the best sonding things I ever heard compared to it' s cost and I think it would fit Ok as replacement, but it don' t like complex crossover (no impedance compensation). I have no idea about your crossover network, but I don't think it will so complex to eventually trimm it (maybe the sound will be OK without changes).

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