Ribbon Tweeters Vs...

[blackzarg]

All things being equal, are ribbon tweeters superior to silk-dome tweeters?

I've heard horn loaded and a lot of dome tweeters, but have not had a lot of memorable experiences with ribbon tweeters. Anyone with some links for a ribbon-tweeter readup, or would like to explain pros/cons?

I've listened to the Goldenear Triton 2's, but it wasn't a very extensive listening experience so I can't recall correctly (I was also trying to evaluate their imaging and bass more than their actual sound). Thanks!

[tesseract]

All things being equal, are ribbon tweeters superior to silk-dome tweeters?

I've heard horn loaded and a lot of dome tweeters, but have not had a lot of memorable experiences with ribbon tweeters. Anyone with some links for a ribbon-tweeter readup, or would like to explain pros/cons?

I've listened to the Goldenear Triton 2's, but it wasn't a very extensive listening experience so I can't recall correctly (I was also trying to evaluate their imaging and bass more than their actual sound). Thanks!

I am leaning towards ribbons, planar or a compression driver myself. My favorite listening experiences have been with the Aerial Acoustic 20T and the Maggie 3.6. One thing is certain, ribbons are not the most accurate transducers, at least on paper. :no clue:

The GoldenEar HF driver based on the Heil Air Motion Transformer, the patent is up and lots of people are jumping on it.

Here is a lively discussion. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1279342

[tesseract]

I should also include this. http://zaphaudio.com/nondomes/

[django1]

I have GR Research N3s and the tweeter is very detailed and very, very smooth and seductive. That is about all I can tell you about it...

[Putz]

The Salk Songtowers have one of the best dome tweeters (Hiquophon OW2) out there and the Raal Ribbon Tweeter version is a major upgrade in sound quality. Since it's the same speaker other than the 2 tweeters, that's pretty definitive. Of course it'll cost you an extra $700 for the priviledge.

[blackzarg]

Thanks for the info, guys!

The speaker I was looking at was the BG Z7, which I stumbled on by accident, but it seems to use the same tweeter as the GR N2X?

It seems like a good deal, and I was considering them over a pair of used Infinity Beta 50's, which was why I asked how ribbons differ from dome/horn speakers.



Also the Arx A3
uses a planar magnetic tweeter, which upon further reading seems like a cheaper version of ribbon tweeters.

[blackzarg]

I should also include this. http://zaphaudio.com/nondomes/

Looks like a lot of praise for the Neo3!

[tesseract]

Looks like a lot of praise for the Neo3!

Yes, the Neo3 PDR is an excellent driver. The Acculines (now Arx) use the Neo. TAI moved to a different planar for the Arx.

Check this out. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=941103

[tesseract]

I am going to add these links to the discussion for future reference. Topic is waveguided dipole and it shows the PRO/SHO-10 compression driver implemented. Also is discussion of the PRO-10 horn and mating a NEO3 planar to it!

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/178806-s16-constant-directivity-dipoles.html

Lots of fun info and links in there.

[tesseract]

What I found most interesting is the discussion of dynamic range. I have been considering a planar tweeter speaker for a while now, but the planars cannot do macro-dynamics like the compression can, no surprise there.

This DIY discussion, along with my research over the past year of the driver and waveguide used by the PRO/SHO-10, is pushing me towards trying the CHT speakers in my 2 channel system.

I will also be trying a NEO3 speaker soon, I think it will be an interesting comparison.

[dvenardos]

Nice, please post your impressions.

What I found most interesting is the discussion of dynamic range. I have been considering a planar tweeter speaker for a while now, but the planars cannot do macro-dynamics like the compression can, no surprise there.

This DIY discussion, along with my research over the past year of the driver and waveguide used by the PRO/SHO-10, is pushing me towards trying the CHT speakers in my 2 channel system.

I will also be trying a NEO3 speaker soon, I think it will be an interesting comparison.