Metal dome tweets

[nicholas_23]

Any recommendations on a fairly easy to use metal dome good down to 2500? Been looking at the SEAS, any others come to mind?

Sub $30 price range

TIA
Nick

[curt_c]

> Any recommendations on a fairly easy to use
> metal dome good down to 2500? Been looking
> at the SEAS, any others come to mind?

> Sub $30 price range

The Vifa D25AG is another choice.

C

[kenperkins]

I've certainly not heard them all and have never really been a big fan of metal dome tweeters, but the SEAS 27tbfc/g is outstanding. I don't see how SEAS can build such good tweeters as their 27 series and allow them to be sold for such a reasonable price. Just this week, I've been comparing it to the Scanspeak 9500 and the SEAS easily sounds as good as the 9500, which costs roughly three times more money. That's pretty impressive.

[severius]

[cjd]

The Seas still suffers from some nasty peaks above the frequency range where most folks pay attention. Some of us can hear that, and it *hurts*

:P

But the 27TBFC/G and 27TDFC are indeed incredible buys. Top notch stuff. Usually interchangeable (though you may have to watch out for the sometimes compensation that goes for the slight rise on the TDFC)

C

[donc]

with there being so many 27t's ,and i'm not talking about roadsters,how do you know which one to get ? i know what you mean by "it hurts",very fatiguing and harsh,sort of like that pa horn kind of sound .the tdfc is the most recommended that i have seen,are there better choices ? donc

[nicholas_23]

Thanks for the info guys.
So with a metallic driver, do any of you have a preferred X over topology you run with? In other words would you gradually roll it off to the previous driver or cut it sharp at the previous driver’s xover point?
Kind of an open ended question and would depend on the mid/woofer and tweeter used but doesnt hurt to ask.

P.S. working with the RS-150

TIA again
Nick

> Any recommendations on a fairly easy to use
> metal dome good down to 2500? Been looking
> at the SEAS, any others come to mind?

> Sub $30 price range

> TIA
> Nick

[kenperkins]

Well, everyone knows I prefer simple series crossovers and will even go second order if you push strips of bamboo underneath my fingernails.

I'm using it with a HiVi BG8N woofer in a 28 liter ported Woodstyle box. I tried some of Dave Ralph's felt diffraction control techniques (ugly as a monkey's **** though) and I'm quite pleased with the results. Email me and I'll send you a schematic of the crossover tomorrow.

[kenperkins]

Something doesn't sound right, no pun intended =^)

I will agree that the older 27tffc can be shouty at times and likes a generous amount of padding for the woofers I've used it with. However, I'd describe both the tbfc/g and the tdfc as downright relaxed sounding. The tbcf/g in particular is just plain transparent to my ears and I cannot tolerate a "hot" tweeter. I'm working the heck out of it with a first order series crossover at 2.8k as well.

[supermike]

> The Seas still suffers from some nasty peaks
> above the frequency range where most folks
> pay attention. Some of us can hear that,
> and it *hurts*

Hello C.

Are you refering to breakup modes above 20 Khz? Those would not apply to the soft dome, right?

[cjd]

> Hello C.

> Are you refering to breakup modes above 20
> Khz? Those would not apply to the soft dome,
> right?

Yes and yes. The soft dome has a slight rise in output from like 15k-20k (I used a .05mH inductor to tame it slightly when I used the TDFC). The TBFC has a nasty peak at 22kHz or something.

And not everyone can hear them.

Me, I can walk into a jewelry shop and tell them when they have their ultrasonic cleaner running - I hear it! I can often hear their security systems too.

C

[cjd]

> with there being so many 27t's ,and i'm not
> talking about roadsters,how do you know
> which one to get ?

There are really two basic motors: The TD and the TB. B = metal, D = silk. The "F" means ferro-fluid (you can get 'em without). The /G means there's a grille on the TBFC.

Pick one. They are all excellent. I think the TBFC/G has the lowest distortion numbers out there so is excellent if you plan to notch the breakup above 20kHz or you just don't hear it.

> i know what you mean by
> "it hurts",very fatiguing and
> harsh,sort of like that pa horn kind of
> sound .

Nope. What you describe is different. I am sensitive to some ultrasonic frequencies, and the TBFC has a nasty peak at about 22khz or something. Not harsh at all - very smooth. Wonderful tweeter. With a nasty peak above where most people even pay attention.

> the tdfc is the most recommended that
> i have seen,are there better choices ? donc

The TBFC has slightly better distortion numbers I think. In their price range and even beyond, they are unquestionably standouts.

The RS28A is the next step up by most standards. Excellent sound, excellent distortion numbers, and at an incredible price.

All these tweeters are capable of some fairly low crossover points if they're done with care.

C

[severius]

You've got above average hearing ability.

I used to have what you have.

Don't lose it by exposing yourself to loud rock concerts, table saws, headphones, or motorcycles (especially).

Otherwise, trust me, you WILL lose it.

Once it's gone ---------