Thoughts on Vifa DX25TG05 for KEF 104/2?

[centaurus3200]

Hi all,

i'm not going to rehash my other thread, but i wanted an opinion on the Vifa DX25TG05. i need to replace my KEF T33B as they are discontued and not repairable (hardened ferro-fluid). the vifa's dimensions (with flange removed) and sensitivity make it a potential replacement. and it's 4-ohms which is a pain to find.

my only concerns are that it's sort of a 1.5" dome if you include the rolled edges. being the tweeter is rear monted in the KEF 104/2, i wonder if the roll will hit the baffle?

right now i'm using the wimslow audio recommended replacement, the Morel MDT29. sounds decent, but you can tell it's about 3db soft as it's 89db at 8ohms (104/2 are 92db at 4ohms). for reference, i'm running the KEF's on my tube amp's 8ohm tap. i don't enough enough current to power all those drivers on the 4 ohm tap.

does seas make any 4-ohm tweeters with removable flanges? basically anything that's a 1" dome (or smaller) no wider with the flange removed than 73mm and no deeper than 26mm.

thanks,
Robby

[Willitwork]

Scan Speak D2904 6000 series seems to fit the criteria but they are on the pricey side.

[centaurus3200]

wow, those are really expensive! naw, there's a big difference between taking a chance on a $27 tweeter and a $150 tweeter. besides, the sensitivity is too low at 91db and they won't fit.

the depth is 41mm and the with is 90mm. i need less than 73mm (w) and less than 26mm (d).

i'd be curious as to some people's thoughts on the vifa. some like it and others complain about is ragged 60 degree off axis resonse. but, who listens at 60 degrees off axis?

i do wonder how it would sound in the baffle which is slightly horn loaded. search the web for KEF 104/2 to see what i'm talking about.

thanks,
Robby

[Willitwork]

I'm familiar with the KEF 104/2.

The Scan Speak 2904/6000 and 6000-01 are only 60mm across, they have no plate so to speak. Take a look:

http://www.solen.ca/pics/scan/d296000.jpg

http://www.solen.ca/pics/scan/d296100.jpg

When it comes to 1" drivers I don't think it can get much smaller than that

True they are only 91dB but it's only 2dB less than the Vifa you're looking at. The main drawback remains the price

As for the small XT25 (there is a larger one) "nippled" tweeter it's a decent reliable unit but it requires careful crossover tuning or it'll display voicy temper fits when you least expect it, in this regard it reminds of the Dynaudio D-28 without phase comp. I have used it twice myself in small TL towers with the PL18 midbass with good results but frankly, I have no idea how it would perform on your speakers because I have never seen, let alone heard it in a rear mounted config.

You may want to have a look at the Hi-Vi Research TN25 as well. 5-ohm and certainly small enough to fit. Only 90dB but at $10 a pop you can't afford not giving it a try imho. As usual with Hi-Vi don't let the price tag fool you, they compare favorably with $60 units. After all, Hi-Vi is the company that sells $50 drop-in replacement for Dynaudio mid-woofers and no one can tell the difference, neither visually nor sonically.

[Andy G]

I use the DX25 as the single tweeter in my line array. I think it is a very nice tweeter. Plenty of top end extention, and it keeps up with the 10 Vifa P11wh's in the array very nicely !! Cymbals etc seem to hang very nicely etc etc...

I don't know how well it would work in your situation, behind the baffle with it flanged removed !!

[Salas]

Can these be useful?

[centaurus3200]

thanks salas,

those are definitely smal and efficeent. they might work even despite being 8 ohm, but their flanges don't seem to be removable.

this might be important because the flange looks like it's sort of horn loaded. and the baffle on the 104/2 is also horn loaded. so, that would make for a long and funky shaped horn.

i do appreciate your help though. i ordered the vifas. they are 72mm wide, but the space for the tweeter is 75mm and the T33 measuered between 70 and 71mm. so, hopefully, i can cram the bastards in there!

see ya,
Robby

Originally posted by salas
Can these be useful?

[Salas]

Good luck, and file em a bit if they won't fit.

[centaurus3200]

oh, those sumbitches are goin' in one way or another ;-)

the morels sound decent, but maybe a bit too polite given the sensitivity mismatch.

see ya,
Robby

Originally posted by salas
Good luck, and file em a bit if they won't fit.

[centaurus3200]

i swear i'm going to go insane with these fricken speakers!

first i ordered the morel MDT30, but the rear chamber wouldn't fit.
then i ordered terry at wimslow audio's recomendation, the MDT29. it fits,
but is definitely 3db down as it's 89db at 8ohms compared to the T33b
at 93db at 4ohms.

so i bought a pair of vifa DX25 which at 93.5db at 4ohms.

NOW, after i read a post on the KEF forums about the Audax TW025A2 following the lineage of the T33, i find this link on madisound about a 4ohm version. i can't find a spec sheet though to see dimensions. sensitivity is 92db. so, 1db down from the T33b. this could be the best tweeter for the job, eh? better than even the vifa?

http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/ind...14828&pid=2175

any thoughts?

http://hifiloudspeakers.info/public_...opic.php?t=233

thanks,
Robby