$100 planar / ribbons... who's the class leader?

[Dirk]

So, I'm working on a slim MTM tower with SB15NRXC30-8 in a Kittinger MLTL. My original plan is starting to encounter some scope creep, and I've decided to just embrace it. Out with the XT25, in with some flat diaphragm.

I'm not set on a crossover point, but I have a feeling I'll need something that can at least do 2nd order @ 2.5khz.

My knee-jerk reaction would be to grab some Neo3 PDRs, but I've been out of the loop long enough that there are a number of new product lines and I would not want to miss out on the new hotness. The Beston RT002A looks super nice for today's sale price (even if they're at the edge of my arbitrary 2.5khz limit). I may grab a pair of those on a whim regardless.

[donradick]

subscribed. Good question!
In my limited experience with ribbons / planar tweeters, I feel that they sound better if you don't stress them
with a low(wish) crossover.

[Wolf]

2.5kHz is a stretch (pun) for quite a few planars, most preferring 3k+. BG Neo3 will do it. RT1.3(WE) *MIGHT* get there. The Dayton PT2-C will, but the response is not easy to work with. The Bestons are better at 3kHz+. I don't know about other options below $100.

Later,
Wolf

[Dirk]

I think that's true of all tweeters, Don. :D

In my case, the design is far enough along that the woofers will dominate the design decisions. They have some breakup hash that starts just above 4khz, and I'd like to avoid that as much as possible. I think the Neo3 would do it, but before I add them to my cart I was hoping Wolf would stop by with a recommendation on some unassuming tweeter that just blows everything out of the water. ;)

[dcibel]

Not a planar/ribbon exactly...but I'd go for Dayton AMT3-4.

[donradick]

I've got the Neo3 and like it, and am planning to use it in a new build, but for $100 it looks like decibel's reco might be the best.
Looks like it can be used at 2.5Khz with a 3rd order.

For $150, I'm excited by the Aurum Cantus 2560 aero-striction. The SB15 might be worth a better tweeter.

[hongrn]

Dirk, I used the Beston RTA002A here with great results. Really shines on and off axis crossed at 3KHz.

http://projectgallery.parts-express..../the-vintages/

[Paul K.]

My Marcato design was an MTM with a Neo3 and a pair of Usher 8945Ps. Dan Neubecker designed the crossover with a corner at 2300 Hz. At the corner midwoofers and Neo3 rolled off at 2nd-order, but below 2 kHz, the tweeter rolled off very steeply, something like 8th order.
Paul

[Pete Schumacher]

I've got the Neo3 and like it, and am planning to use it in a new build, but for $100 it looks like decibel's reco might be the best.
Looks like it can be used at 2.5Khz with a 3rd order.

For $150, I'm excited by the Aurum Cantus 2560 aero-striction. The SB15 might be worth a better tweeter.

AST2560 for the win. 2000Hz without an issue. Very low distortion, very linear response. Class leading performance.

[Wolf]

I agree the 2560 is a good recommendation, but it's 1/3 again more expensive and definitely over $100.

Later,
Wolf

[jhollander]

I used a super tweeter with the AMT3-4.

[Dirk]

Hmm. On the 2560, do you need to compensate for the 7khz dip? They're more expensive, but it just means I wouldn't impulse-buy the Bestons (which would just sit on my shelf for years anyway).

I like the look of the Dayton, but it just doesn't have enough sensitivity below 3khz. If this were an active job or a 3-way...yeah.

[Dirk]

Oook. No rear chamber on the Aurum Cantus. I guess I could put something together with 3D printer, but that's more than I want to deal with, and the MLTL doesn't leave a lot of room behind the tweeter for a sub enclosure. Neo3 it is I guess.

[kenny_k]

Beston crossed at approx. 2.5k 2nd order LR. My every day speakers.

[rhubarb9999]

I've used the BG Neo3 in two builds and its about to go into my biggest and most ambitious to date. Fantastic tweeter.