I've seen the tests showing domes are far better at harmonic distortion, but I've also read the Ascendo speaker reviews and have a friend who swears by them.
Zaph|Audio
tweeter data 1
I had the old radio shack lineaum ribbon tweeters and loved them till they died.
Or is it that when one spends close to $100 ribbons, they chose Aurum Cantus ribbons ?
Norman
Zaph|Audio
tweeter data 1
I had the old radio shack lineaum ribbon tweeters and loved them till they died.
Or is it that when one spends close to $100 ribbons, they chose Aurum Cantus ribbons ?
Norman
I have and use the RT2E-A planar tweeters (same element, different faceplate) and rather like them.
My view on the harmonic distortion issue is this. In my application, I am using them crossed at 4.6Khz 4th order. For the most part, 2HD isn't considered offensive, so the 2HD occuring at 9.2Khz in my application shouldn't have any impact beyond perhaps a bit of 'sparkle' or 'valve sound'. The 3HD then only occurs in any significant way at 13.8Khz and above, on the fringe of what you can really hear and resolve any detail from.
Even with this considered, you are 20dB+ down at 3HD with the tweeter, and you may be suprised how hard it is to hear such distortion levels under ideal circumstances at sensitive frequencies, with it obviously being far more difficult with music signals at frequencies near the boundary of your hearing.
Audibility Of Distortion
So, for me, it's not a big issue. What is a big issue is the advantage from using a large area, low mass membrane driver. The 'impact' of treble sounds is greatly improved. The snap of a snare drum, the leading edge on a synthesised sound, the sibilance in vocals, are all very crisp and well defined.
You also get a different polar pattern to a dome tweeter. You'll need to sit perfectly in ear alignment to the tweeter height or the treble will be noticeably diminished. However, because of this effect, you reduce the ceiling reflections. I find the imaging from these tweeters to be very precise and wider than the physical distance between them.
In all, I'd say not to be put off by the distortion graphs. They may not be the 'best' ribbon type tweeters in this price range anymore so I'm sure others will come in with alternative suggestions. Remember though that a planar tweeter like these uses no transformer and has a perfectly flat impedance response 🙂
My view on the harmonic distortion issue is this. In my application, I am using them crossed at 4.6Khz 4th order. For the most part, 2HD isn't considered offensive, so the 2HD occuring at 9.2Khz in my application shouldn't have any impact beyond perhaps a bit of 'sparkle' or 'valve sound'. The 3HD then only occurs in any significant way at 13.8Khz and above, on the fringe of what you can really hear and resolve any detail from.
Even with this considered, you are 20dB+ down at 3HD with the tweeter, and you may be suprised how hard it is to hear such distortion levels under ideal circumstances at sensitive frequencies, with it obviously being far more difficult with music signals at frequencies near the boundary of your hearing.
Audibility Of Distortion
So, for me, it's not a big issue. What is a big issue is the advantage from using a large area, low mass membrane driver. The 'impact' of treble sounds is greatly improved. The snap of a snare drum, the leading edge on a synthesised sound, the sibilance in vocals, are all very crisp and well defined.
You also get a different polar pattern to a dome tweeter. You'll need to sit perfectly in ear alignment to the tweeter height or the treble will be noticeably diminished. However, because of this effect, you reduce the ceiling reflections. I find the imaging from these tweeters to be very precise and wider than the physical distance between them.
In all, I'd say not to be put off by the distortion graphs. They may not be the 'best' ribbon type tweeters in this price range anymore so I'm sure others will come in with alternative suggestions. Remember though that a planar tweeter like these uses no transformer and has a perfectly flat impedance response 🙂
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AT-SW
Note that Troels has the tweeter a bit down in level from the upper mid/lower treble produced by the mid-bass driver. At increasing distances from the loudspeakers the highest treble will be a bit higher in output due to it's line-source behavior.
Note his subjective comments, in particular:
"What is immediately apparent once you sit in front of the ATR is the lack of distortion.."
I don't think you'll recognize the level of the harmonics that this tweeter produces when compared to a low harmonic distortion tweeter - ON MUSIC. When he describes "lack of distortion" among other things I think he is describing *linear* distortion.. and indeed - for 20 db down in level the loudspeaker is quite "clean".
Also note the differences with amplifiers:
"..I've recently compared the AT-SW driven from an "average" power amp (Rotel) and a 2 x 80 watts class A solid state amp (Jungson) and the test was devastating for the Rotel. Feel sure the AT-SW will deliver the details from the very best equipment available."
Note that Troels has the tweeter a bit down in level from the upper mid/lower treble produced by the mid-bass driver. At increasing distances from the loudspeakers the highest treble will be a bit higher in output due to it's line-source behavior.
Note his subjective comments, in particular:
"What is immediately apparent once you sit in front of the ATR is the lack of distortion.."
I don't think you'll recognize the level of the harmonics that this tweeter produces when compared to a low harmonic distortion tweeter - ON MUSIC. When he describes "lack of distortion" among other things I think he is describing *linear* distortion.. and indeed - for 20 db down in level the loudspeaker is quite "clean".
Also note the differences with amplifiers:
"..I've recently compared the AT-SW driven from an "average" power amp (Rotel) and a 2 x 80 watts class A solid state amp (Jungson) and the test was devastating for the Rotel. Feel sure the AT-SW will deliver the details from the very best equipment available."
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from the article "the smooth electrostatic treble"
I do like the mineral filled polys now, better than the foggy soggy polys I've heard.
nice link, thanks
Norman
I do like the mineral filled polys now, better than the foggy soggy polys I've heard.
nice link, thanks
Norman
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