Hi people,
A year or two ago I upgraded the cross-overs and internal wires of my pair of Dynaudio Audience 122's. Loved the results - they sounded much like a more expensive and classy loudspeaker. And now I intend to do the same to the 122 center speaker. However, in the mean time, the A122s have been replaced with Dynaudio Special 25's. So I think replacing the original d28/2 tweeter from the Audience 122 might not be a bad idea as well. I'm thinking a d280 makes for a good candidate. It's somewhere in the middle of entry-level d28/2 and high-end Esotar2, as used in the Special 25's.
However, I have a few questions:
- can the d280 be used as a "drop-in" replacement for the d28/2, without cross-over adjustments? Somewhere on AVSForum I read that someone did just that with an Audience 72 with very satisfying results. But an Audience 72 is not an Audience 122C...
- can these tweeters still be found new or in good (e.g. non-dented) shape on the second hand market? I know these days Chinese knock-offs are abundant and hard to distinguish from the real thing. Until you hear them... I don't want to blow my cash on fake parts.
I hope someone can help me answer these questions.
Thanks!!
A year or two ago I upgraded the cross-overs and internal wires of my pair of Dynaudio Audience 122's. Loved the results - they sounded much like a more expensive and classy loudspeaker. And now I intend to do the same to the 122 center speaker. However, in the mean time, the A122s have been replaced with Dynaudio Special 25's. So I think replacing the original d28/2 tweeter from the Audience 122 might not be a bad idea as well. I'm thinking a d280 makes for a good candidate. It's somewhere in the middle of entry-level d28/2 and high-end Esotar2, as used in the Special 25's.
However, I have a few questions:
- can the d280 be used as a "drop-in" replacement for the d28/2, without cross-over adjustments? Somewhere on AVSForum I read that someone did just that with an Audience 72 with very satisfying results. But an Audience 72 is not an Audience 122C...
- can these tweeters still be found new or in good (e.g. non-dented) shape on the second hand market? I know these days Chinese knock-offs are abundant and hard to distinguish from the real thing. Until you hear them... I don't want to blow my cash on fake parts.
I hope someone can help me answer these questions.
Thanks!!
It is always a trouble to give advice and opinion to an individual
who already made certain tweaks and found them worthwile.
I can see from your positive attitude that you already have
set your mind to expect improvement from exchanging
an entry level D28/2 for a D260 Esotec tweeter.
If we look at factory specs for both of the drivers, it looks
like these two are very alike. Almost identical FR, minor
difference in Fs in favor of D28/2, very similar Q values.
Different covers at the back of the magnet, thicker face plate
on Esotec and the name itself is what differs them.
Can this have the potential for better sound ? Hardly.
D28/2 is by default an excellent tweeter and there is not much
left to be improved except for greater sensitivity which actually
has been done and sold under name Esotar. I have both tweeters
in my possession, but this does not mean I can't be wrong or talk
nonsense.
Esotecs move on Ebay for approx. 130 €/piece and you might
have to wait a while to find a well preserved pair of them.
Good luck and have fun !
who already made certain tweaks and found them worthwile.
I can see from your positive attitude that you already have
set your mind to expect improvement from exchanging
an entry level D28/2 for a D260 Esotec tweeter.
If we look at factory specs for both of the drivers, it looks
like these two are very alike. Almost identical FR, minor
difference in Fs in favor of D28/2, very similar Q values.
Different covers at the back of the magnet, thicker face plate
on Esotec and the name itself is what differs them.
Can this have the potential for better sound ? Hardly.
D28/2 is by default an excellent tweeter and there is not much
left to be improved except for greater sensitivity which actually
has been done and sold under name Esotar. I have both tweeters
in my possession, but this does not mean I can't be wrong or talk
nonsense.
Esotecs move on Ebay for approx. 130 €/piece and you might
have to wait a while to find a well preserved pair of them.
Good luck and have fun !
critofur,
I can't say how would any of the clones be like in respect to
the originals because I have not done any tests like this. Not that
I did not want to, but was unable to purchase a pair at acceptable
cost.
I can tell you though, if anything makes makes sense to me to buy
for a fraction of the cost, then this one:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dc28fs-8-1-1-8-silk-dome-shielded-tweeter--275-075
Zaph Audio has tested it in his tweeter mishmash, so there you can
see how it translates into reality.
I can't say how would any of the clones be like in respect to
the originals because I have not done any tests like this. Not that
I did not want to, but was unable to purchase a pair at acceptable
cost.
I can tell you though, if anything makes makes sense to me to buy
for a fraction of the cost, then this one:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dc28fs-8-1-1-8-silk-dome-shielded-tweeter--275-075
Zaph Audio has tested it in his tweeter mishmash, so there you can
see how it translates into reality.
@Lojzek, thanks for your reply. If by "better sound quality" you mean a different tonal character, than that's not what I'm after. I like the tonal balance of the 122C. What I'm hoping to gain, is more clarity, more detail, maybe a little bit more sparkle in the top octave. The Special 25's have that in spades and in it's current form, the Audience 122C just can't keep up.
I know the d260 was used in Dynaudio's BM6p and -a models (and I think the previous Contour line as well). Those are studio monitors and they sound very good with lots of detail. In the current Contour 1.4 and 3.4, Dynaudio used the d280, which is a development of the original d260. It's supposed to be "way better" - whatever that means.
I'm kind of trying to figure out if this endeavour is worth my while. I liked the cross-over upgrade in the original 122's. But will a better (more able) tweeter improve on that even more? I'm inclined to think it will - if not, why would Dynaudio develop better tweeters for their more luxurious speakers? But I'm far from an expert and I hope some of you guys have experience to draw from.
I know the d260 was used in Dynaudio's BM6p and -a models (and I think the previous Contour line as well). Those are studio monitors and they sound very good with lots of detail. In the current Contour 1.4 and 3.4, Dynaudio used the d280, which is a development of the original d260. It's supposed to be "way better" - whatever that means.
I'm kind of trying to figure out if this endeavour is worth my while. I liked the cross-over upgrade in the original 122's. But will a better (more able) tweeter improve on that even more? I'm inclined to think it will - if not, why would Dynaudio develop better tweeters for their more luxurious speakers? But I'm far from an expert and I hope some of you guys have experience to draw from.
James,
IMO manufacturers have got to produce different series of
products for different targeted group of buyers. From financial
perspective it is an absolute necessity.
What are the real differences between them is not something
manufacturer will talk about.
If you are really after clarity, then you would have to change the
crossover filter, not tweeter, because your driver already has
great properties. This can't be done without studying the matter
and acquiring measurement gear.
The cheaper product lines are equipped with poorer
engineered filters than more expensive ones. It makes buyers
believe pricier speakers and their superior sound must be coming
from better drivers which in some aspects is true ( TS parameters
optimized for a certain box volume).
IMO manufacturers have got to produce different series of
products for different targeted group of buyers. From financial
perspective it is an absolute necessity.
What are the real differences between them is not something
manufacturer will talk about.
If you are really after clarity, then you would have to change the
crossover filter, not tweeter, because your driver already has
great properties. This can't be done without studying the matter
and acquiring measurement gear.
The cheaper product lines are equipped with poorer
engineered filters than more expensive ones. It makes buyers
believe pricier speakers and their superior sound must be coming
from better drivers which in some aspects is true ( TS parameters
optimized for a certain box volume).
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