I would like opinions on what you would consider the best tweeter under $150 and why. Off axis performance is always important to me and needs to cross easily at 2kHz.
I need those TW030WA11. Just waiting for a decent sale. $300 a pair is like a hole for tweeter prices. There are a few meh ribbons in that price range. What I've heard that I liked was the Hiquphon and T-Lab magnesium dome.
Of more recent offerings,
I find I really like the SB 26CDC ceramic, and the Peerless DA25 or DA32. Now- I know those are not that high in cost, but you get a lot for the money.
The newer Seas Titan 27TAC/GB is a really nice sounding unit, and low in HD. The results of my modded pair are better than the stock units, but I still find both really nice sounding.
Best for less than $150?
I think the most applicable tweeter in that price bracket is the SB R29 Satori.
One of my favs is well within your budget, and has been around for years too. The "HDS" tweeter, D2608/9130. Well within your budget and I think is very attractive too with the cast faceplate, no plastic there. I would call it a "laid back" sound.
Seas Titan 27TAC/GB looks interesting except for that cheap faceplate.
I've been looking at the Satori.
The Peerless are definitely nice but worried about consistency.
About the DA25 and DA32, do they hit above the price point or they are unique as they go low. If crossing at 1.8k-2k would you still suggest DA32 or something else for the 150$ price point? 1.5k XO?
@dcibel said:
One of my favs is well within your budget, and has been around for years too. The "HDS" tweeter, D2608/9130. Well within your budget and I think is very attractive too with the cast faceplate, no plastic there. I would call it a "laid back" sound.
An opposing view; The 9130/HDS is not one of my faves, and to me they sound quite bright. I would not call them laid back. To me they sound a bit artificial.
FWIW, Jeff liked them and used them in the Docere.
Ok he must have changed his design. I'm almost positive he used the SB26STAC-C000-4 in the Kokomo seminar. Chuck and I discussed it in depth on the drive home.
Eugen bought back the company for intellectual property and the remaining stock, whatever was left. There will be another company name emerging eventually.
@e6zion said:
Bliesma T25A-6 may be worth looking into?
This is interesting. I was always looking at the 25B and the 32B and choking on the cost... I suppose the A has got 95% of the B at a much reasonable outlay...
It's interesting that in that Belisma group the soft done has a rather wonky response but appears to have the best distortion characteristics IMO. I guess there's always the Scan D2905, Satori, and Morel Supreme for those that want a top end soft done.
@dcibel said:
It's interesting that in that Belisma group the soft done has a rather wonky response but appears to have the best distortion characteristics IMO. I guess there's always the Scan D2905, Satori, and Morel Supreme for those that want a top end soft done.
Should really jump on that used pair of 9900s though...
I've looked at the SS D2905/9500 many times but always shy away because of the top end. It appears that the off-axis is not great according to their graph.
@dcibel said:
It's interesting that in that Belisma group the soft done has a rather wonky response but appears to have the best distortion characteristics IMO. I guess there's always the Scan D2905, Satori, and Morel Supreme for those that want a top end soft done.
Should really jump on that used pair of 9900s though...
I've looked at the SS D2905/9500 many times but always shy away because of the top end. It appears that the off-axis is not great according to their graph.
Well it is a larger 29mm dome, and to be honest I tend to prefer tweeters with a bit more limited directivity than the super wide directivity of smaller domes. It has predictable (consistent) off-axis roll-off which is a big plus, for me anyway. I haven't heard the 9500, so my recommendation stays with the D2608/9130. If it were me looking at SS tweeters, I'd spend a bit more on the D2905/9700, it has a much improved motor but the price pushes it out of your reach.
I agree with Wolf's comments about the Peerless DA25TX and DA32TX corundum dome tweeters. To my ears, these tweeters sound as good as ones costing twice as much. Problems: The flanges are only 1/16" thick aluminum and bend very easily when you are trying to mount them flat. Also, they use banana jack connectors instead of the traditional solder lugs used on most other tweeters. They started cutting in and out during playback when I used the cheap banana plugs that came in the boxes.
Comments
Stretch your budget a little and get this used pair
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649671124-scanspeak-d2905990000-tweeters-pair/
I still have them collecting dust on the shelf, but I have plans to use Wavecor's flagship TW030WA11. The small horn gives it significant immunity to baffle diffraction effects.
https://hificompass.com/en/speakers/measurements/wavecor/wavecor-tw030wa11
I need those TW030WA11. Just waiting for a decent sale. $300 a pair is like a hole for tweeter prices. There are a few meh ribbons in that price range. What I've heard that I liked was the Hiquphon and T-Lab magnesium dome.
Hiquphon not sold in Canada and T-Lab is uncertain.
Well there's at least 2 pairs of TLabs for sale in Canada
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/tweeters/transducer-lab-n26mg-a-26mm-magnesium-dome-tweeter/
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/tweeters/transducer-lab-n26cs-g-26mm-al203-dome-tweeter/
Of more recent offerings,
I find I really like the SB 26CDC ceramic, and the Peerless DA25 or DA32. Now- I know those are not that high in cost, but you get a lot for the money.
The newer Seas Titan 27TAC/GB is a really nice sounding unit, and low in HD. The results of my modded pair are better than the stock units, but I still find both really nice sounding.
Best for less than $150?
I think the most applicable tweeter in that price bracket is the SB R29 Satori.
InDIYana Event Website
One of my favs is well within your budget, and has been around for years too. The "HDS" tweeter, D2608/9130. Well within your budget and I think is very attractive too with the cast faceplate, no plastic there. I would call it a "laid back" sound.
https://hificompass.com/en/speakers/measurements/scan-speak/scanspeak-d2608/913000
Seas Titan 27TAC/GB looks interesting except for that cheap faceplate.
I've been looking at the Satori.
The Peerless are definitely nice but worried about consistency.
Where would you cross the HDS at?
I used the TW030WA11 and crossed at 1800 to RS225P, sounds decent, but seems overly expensive now...
About the DA25 and DA32, do they hit above the price point or they are unique as they go low. If crossing at 1.8k-2k would you still suggest DA32 or something else for the 150$ price point? 1.5k XO?
Yes, that's a contender
I crossed the HDS at a cool 1700Hz, which isn't ideal but it was a compromise for a 8" 2-way design. It will do 2kHz like a champ.
IIRC when I purchased my pair of TW030WA11 the price was CAD$100, so it looks like they've increased a good 25-30%.
An opposing view; The 9130/HDS is not one of my faves, and to me they sound quite bright. I would not call them laid back. To me they sound a bit artificial.
FWIW, Jeff liked them and used them in the Docere.
InDIYana Event Website
Will the SB26STAC-C000-4 fall in that category?
That's a nice tweeter! Most everyone loves that one.
InDIYana Event Website
Pretty sure Jeff used the SB26STAC-C000-4 in the Docere.
I haven't heard the SB26STAC-C000-4. Judging on the reviews and specs, I'm wondering if this tweeter is shooting way above its pay grade.
Nope. SS-HDS...
https://meniscusaudio.com/product/docero-full-kit-pair/
InDIYana Event Website
Ok he must have changed his design. I'm almost positive he used the SB26STAC-C000-4 in the Kokomo seminar. Chuck and I discussed it in depth on the drive home.
Doesn't look that way...
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/tech-talk-forum/59939-bagby-design-seminar-meniscus-kit-docere
InDIYana Event Website
The Tributes used the SB26STAC.
InDIYana Event Website
Maybe these are worth a listen? I have not heard them myself though.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/hard-dome-tweeter/sb-acoustics-sb26adc-c000-4-aluminum-dome-tweeter/
Ok, "Know it all"
Gowa, I have 1 HDS tweeter that you can have if you pay shipping in exchange for the deals you've given me if you're interested.
David
Bliesma T25A-6 may be worth looking into? Apart from that, all the others have been mentioned. Regarding, TLabs, I thought they were coming back?
There is also this from Fritz
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/free-classifieds/1455888-2-used-scanspeak-illuminator-d3004-6600-aircirc-tweeters
Eugen bought back the company for intellectual property and the remaining stock, whatever was left. There will be another company name emerging eventually.
InDIYana Event Website
This is interesting. I was always looking at the 25B and the 32B and choking on the cost... I suppose the A has got 95% of the B at a much reasonable outlay...
But it still remains a very niche tweeter.
It's interesting that in that Belisma group the soft done has a rather wonky response but appears to have the best distortion characteristics IMO. I guess there's always the Scan D2905, Satori, and Morel Supreme for those that want a top end soft done.
Speaking of which, for new product this one squeaks into the price margin:
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/scanspeak-soft-dome-tweeters/scanspeak-classic-d2905/9500-1-tweeter-textile-dome/
Should really jump on that used pair of 9900s though...
I've looked at the SS D2905/9500 many times but always shy away because of the top end. It appears that the off-axis is not great according to their graph.
Well it is a larger 29mm dome, and to be honest I tend to prefer tweeters with a bit more limited directivity than the super wide directivity of smaller domes. It has predictable (consistent) off-axis roll-off which is a big plus, for me anyway. I haven't heard the 9500, so my recommendation stays with the D2608/9130. If it were me looking at SS tweeters, I'd spend a bit more on the D2905/9700, it has a much improved motor but the price pushes it out of your reach.
I agree with Wolf's comments about the Peerless DA25TX and DA32TX corundum dome tweeters. To my ears, these tweeters sound as good as ones costing twice as much. Problems: The flanges are only 1/16" thick aluminum and bend very easily when you are trying to mount them flat. Also, they use banana jack connectors instead of the traditional solder lugs used on most other tweeters. They started cutting in and out during playback when I used the cheap banana plugs that came in the boxes.