Hello all, I'd like to build a small monitor speaker for my bedroom with nearfield usage. I am flip flopping between two tweeters to use. I intend to use a waveguided tweeter as they simply sound much better to me, I have really grown tired of the typical dispersion mismatched 1" dome to most woofers. I intend to utilize these for mixing purposes, but also keep things within my budget (no satori stuff for instance).
My two tweeters of choice are the ND25FW and XT25/DX25+Wg300. My current main living room speakers utilize the ND25FW and I find them to be totally inoffensive tweeters that just do things right to my ears. I don't feel the need to apply corrective EQ to them and my mix translation is good. I seem to be able to work with them for hours without much in the way of fatigue and I feel they image well.
I also have in my possession a WG300 and DX25 + adapter. It appears as though the DX25 and this waveguide have a pretty rough dome reflection that causes a dip in the upper treble (I found this to be problematic) so I'd like to try the XT25. It does however look to have very narrow dispersion (referncing heismann data) but I'm not sure how much of a concern this would be.
Should I stick with what I know works well, or try for something different with the XT25+Wg300? My dumb consumer brain tells me the costlier option would offer better performance.
My two tweeters of choice are the ND25FW and XT25/DX25+Wg300. My current main living room speakers utilize the ND25FW and I find them to be totally inoffensive tweeters that just do things right to my ears. I don't feel the need to apply corrective EQ to them and my mix translation is good. I seem to be able to work with them for hours without much in the way of fatigue and I feel they image well.
I also have in my possession a WG300 and DX25 + adapter. It appears as though the DX25 and this waveguide have a pretty rough dome reflection that causes a dip in the upper treble (I found this to be problematic) so I'd like to try the XT25. It does however look to have very narrow dispersion (referncing heismann data) but I'm not sure how much of a concern this would be.
Should I stick with what I know works well, or try for something different with the XT25+Wg300? My dumb consumer brain tells me the costlier option would offer better performance.
I personally like the Morel domes for monitor applications. They don't add anything that doesn't belong and are non-fatiguing. My favorites of the bunch are the CAT378 and CAT308. They can deal with low xovers while not sounding strained or harsh. They aren't quite as cheap as the Peerless stuff, but you can get replacement VCs for them, saving you in the long run.
On the other hand, if you're familiar with the XT25s in a WG, that's not easy to beat for the money. They just don't handle lower xover points well, having elevated HD under 3k.
Another great one is the SB aluminum dome for around $50, the SB26ADC. If you prefer a soft dome, the SB26STAC is a good inexpensive alternative. SB's 26RDAC is a decent ring radiator. You can't really go wrong with any SB tweeter, considering the cost. My personal favorite of theirs is the SB26STCN, which is a steal at $35, considering it has a copper sleeve, vented former and 1mm xmax. The compact format makes it easy to place closer to the other driver. It handles a ton of power and has good efficiency.
For a larger, inexpensive dome, you can't beat the Audax TW034 used in a WG. It does most of what the other expensive large domes do for well under $100, plus you can get VC replacements. You can cross it under 2k without it breaking a sweat. Distortion is low too, being mostly 2nd order HD. It doesn't have very wide dispersion up top or extension to 20k, but it does better than expected. It will play as loud as you need it to thanks to the high efficiency.
On the other hand, if you're familiar with the XT25s in a WG, that's not easy to beat for the money. They just don't handle lower xover points well, having elevated HD under 3k.
Another great one is the SB aluminum dome for around $50, the SB26ADC. If you prefer a soft dome, the SB26STAC is a good inexpensive alternative. SB's 26RDAC is a decent ring radiator. You can't really go wrong with any SB tweeter, considering the cost. My personal favorite of theirs is the SB26STCN, which is a steal at $35, considering it has a copper sleeve, vented former and 1mm xmax. The compact format makes it easy to place closer to the other driver. It handles a ton of power and has good efficiency.
For a larger, inexpensive dome, you can't beat the Audax TW034 used in a WG. It does most of what the other expensive large domes do for well under $100, plus you can get VC replacements. You can cross it under 2k without it breaking a sweat. Distortion is low too, being mostly 2nd order HD. It doesn't have very wide dispersion up top or extension to 20k, but it does better than expected. It will play as loud as you need it to thanks to the high efficiency.
Some reference reading:
Waveguide for XT25
( I would add that Parts Express liberal return policy makes trying out a pair of CAT378's a little bit of a no-brainer <<>> though as @profiguy attests, the policy is certainly a double-edged sword ).
🙂
Waveguide for XT25
( I would add that Parts Express liberal return policy makes trying out a pair of CAT378's a little bit of a no-brainer <<>> though as @profiguy attests, the policy is certainly a double-edged sword ).
🙂
Do you have a woofer in mind yet? If you do it's easier to make recommendations for a tweeter that would match well.
That said, I agree with profiguy about the SB Acoustics tweeters - excellent gear for the money. I used the SB26STAC for a similar application to yours, pairing it with the 5" SB15NAC30-4 for some smallish bookshelf speakers and the results are truly excellent. Currently working on a 3 way with the SB26CDC as well.
I've also used peerless tweeters in a couple builds and they too are excellent for their price... they just in some cases have a few more limitations that you'll want to work within (higher distortion near the xover range for example), which would be expected given their very low prices.
That said, I agree with profiguy about the SB Acoustics tweeters - excellent gear for the money. I used the SB26STAC for a similar application to yours, pairing it with the 5" SB15NAC30-4 for some smallish bookshelf speakers and the results are truly excellent. Currently working on a 3 way with the SB26CDC as well.
I've also used peerless tweeters in a couple builds and they too are excellent for their price... they just in some cases have a few more limitations that you'll want to work within (higher distortion near the xover range for example), which would be expected given their very low prices.
I weighed some options here but ultimately went with more ND25FW as the pros outweighed the cons of exploring other drivers. Having the same drivers in various rooms should help with consistency in mix translation. Also, 20 dollars, I can't really swing for the morel.
Here some data on the waveguide+tweeter combo;
https://heissmann-acoustics.de/en/test-vifa-xt-300-xt25tg-waveguide-wg-300/
and
https://heissmann-acoustics.de/en/test-vifa-xd-270-f4-waveguide-wg-300/
I find it hard to say much about it, without knowing the rest of the system.
But in general sense the XT25+WG300 will have more SPL (louder) and can be crossed lower.
I have seen quite some other measurements with the WG300 and the problems seem to start (above) 8-10kHz.
Although not ideal, I think this penalty is worth it, since it's mostly off-axis plus a lot of people will have trouble even really hearing those difference that high up.
And yeah, once you know and hear the tweeter-woofer directivity mismatch, you don't want to go back 😀 😉
https://heissmann-acoustics.de/en/test-vifa-xt-300-xt25tg-waveguide-wg-300/
and
https://heissmann-acoustics.de/en/test-vifa-xd-270-f4-waveguide-wg-300/
I find it hard to say much about it, without knowing the rest of the system.
But in general sense the XT25+WG300 will have more SPL (louder) and can be crossed lower.
I have seen quite some other measurements with the WG300 and the problems seem to start (above) 8-10kHz.
Although not ideal, I think this penalty is worth it, since it's mostly off-axis plus a lot of people will have trouble even really hearing those difference that high up.
And yeah, once you know and hear the tweeter-woofer directivity mismatch, you don't want to go back 😀 😉
the above 10khz issues are why I went with the cheaper option that I know doesn't exhibit the same issues. My ears are still good (34, still good up to 16k).
