I'm considering planar tweeters for my next build. I've been looking at the dayton pt2c8. I've never used anything but domes and I've been seeing mixed information on these tweeters? Or maybe I'm not understanding something.
I hear that planar tweeters have wide horizontal dispersion patterns. Imaging and a wide soundstage is something I definitely care about. However, I also hear that planars are very "directional". So I'm a little confused.
I'm planning to use these for a set of desktop speakers, so I don't mind directional sound as long as imaging is good and there's a wide sound stage.
I hear that planar tweeters have wide horizontal dispersion patterns. Imaging and a wide soundstage is something I definitely care about. However, I also hear that planars are very "directional". So I'm a little confused.
I'm planning to use these for a set of desktop speakers, so I don't mind directional sound as long as imaging is good and there's a wide sound stage.
It's basically a function of size. Most planar drivers do OK horizontally because they are small in that direction. Vertically, though, they are typically larger than a standard driver that covers a similar frequency range, so they are more directional on that axis. Link below goes over the terminology and typical suggestions.
For a desk speaker, you are going to need to aim a planar tweeter at your ears to maintain frequency balance and will likely not have a large vertical window for optimal sound. Depending on your expectations and desk habits this may not matter to you. The limited vertical dispersion can also be a plus, since it will help minimize reflected sound from the desk. Your physical setup and crossover point will influence this though, so it may or may not be a practical advantage.
Because desk speakers are so close, they tend to image differently than a more typical listening room. Some of the things that work well for normal speakers have less impact in a very near-field listening setup.
Speaker directivity / off axis response: theory and measurement techniques - Acoustic Frontiers
For a desk speaker, you are going to need to aim a planar tweeter at your ears to maintain frequency balance and will likely not have a large vertical window for optimal sound. Depending on your expectations and desk habits this may not matter to you. The limited vertical dispersion can also be a plus, since it will help minimize reflected sound from the desk. Your physical setup and crossover point will influence this though, so it may or may not be a practical advantage.
Because desk speakers are so close, they tend to image differently than a more typical listening room. Some of the things that work well for normal speakers have less impact in a very near-field listening setup.
Speaker directivity / off axis response: theory and measurement techniques - Acoustic Frontiers