Representative Value Tweeters

[Colonel7]

Looking for tweeter suggestions. With Christmas on the horizon I was asked to put together a Parts Express list. I'm new to designing my own builds and one thing I've realized is that I'm unfamiliar with certain types of tweeters so I'm making a short list of candidates between $15-$40.

Already on-hand I have a BC25TG15-04, a DX20BF-04, and an ND25FW-4.

Here are a few I've come up with as representative of a type I haven't heard or tinkered with before

XT25BG-60 for a ring radiator
RT1.3WE for an isodynamic
RST28A for one I can cross below 2k

Other tweeters that you'd recommend and why?

I've got a RS180P and an RS225-8 on my list too if you're wondering - doesn't mean that I'll get them all!

[chrisn]

I've used and like these two:

https://www.parts-express.com/Peerle...eeter-264-1020

https://www.parts-express.com/Peerle...6-Ohm-264-1460

I haven't used this one, but heard a lot of positive things about it:

https://www.parts-express.com/Peerle...eeter-264-1676

The RST28a seems decent, it's in a current project of mine that I haven't listened to as much as the other tweeters. Having lost a few tweeters made me a big fan of built in grilles.

[Colonel7]

Thanks for the suggestions. The Corundum is probably too much out of budget. Maybe next year on that one

[a4eaudio]

The three you listed are good choices.
I'd add Peerless DX25BG60-04 (264-1478) which is the double-magnet version of the one chrisn linked. This is often referred to as the "Beast Mode" tweeter and can cross pretty low.
And I'd second the DA25BG08 that chrisn linked.

[wogg]

That thing can pull off >=1.2k without much complaint.

[a4eaudio]

Not to derail the thread too much on just this one tweeter...but the mfg spec Fs is 415Hz but mine measured about 700Hz. I crossed over around 1750Hz so this was fine anyways. And beyond the "specs", people who have used this tweeter think it sounds great. The custom waveguide build that allowed it to be crossed at 1Khz is here --> https://diy.midwestaudio.club/discussion/562/10-2way.

Not as good a value at $20 more, but the Scanspeak Discovery D2604/833000 is supposedly a slightly better version.

[Kornbread]

I would add, the da25bg is efficient and can take a ton of power. Have it mated with a Gradient Axis 6.5" mid crossed fairly low, and it has no problem keeping up. Personally, I also like the xt25tg. Have not used the xt25bg. IMO, it has a more refined sound than the da25. They have more differences than that, but to me, that's what sticks out the most. Have the rst28a in a current build. IMO, it's somewhere in between the other two tweeters. It's a more refined sound than the da25d but not xt25 refined. Again, these are not the only differences, just the ones that stick out most in my memory.

[Colonel7]

1.2k without a waveguide? Holy cow. How does a double magnet handle distortion better than a single? The dual XT25BG60 that has a double magnet also handles distortion much better than the single magnet version XT25TG at least based on hificompass measurements. Is that the usual case?

[wogg]

1.2k without a waveguide? Holy cow. How does a double magnet handle distortion better than a single? The dual XT25BG60 that has a double magnet also handles distortion much better than the single magnet version XT25TG at least based on hificompass measurements. Is that the usual case?

The double magnet isn't necessarily the secret sauce, though that did add a lot of space for the rear chamber to get that Fs low. I haven't compared the Xmax against similar tweeters, but I suspect that's a tick higher as well. The distortion sweep at a decent level was what impressed me with that thing.

[Wolf]

I agree with the selections and recommendations.
Wolf

PS- the Beast Mode can pull off a 1kHz xover or possibly lower in an appropriate waveguide.

[Colonel7]

Thanks for all of the recommendations guys. More added to my list

[johnnyrichards]

Beast Mode all day. Does everything well, some things great, nothing poorly, and has a great price point.

[Colonel7]

Thinking about this more, Any ones to add in this budget specifically crossing higher (3.5-5.5k) as in a 3-way?

[tom_s]

How about the SB19ST? Ron E used them in his 3-way Iron Driver entry in 2018. I thought they sounded great at Iowa DIY.

[Ron_E]

Great tweeter but I don't think it's available from PE. You can find them in Wisconsin.

Ron

[Wolf]

DX20 is cheap and very nice.
XT25SC90 is also good in this range.
XT19 is also good.
ND25FA4

You get a lot of options when you go higher. This list could be huge for 3.5k+.
Wolf

[Colonel7]

So I was gifted an XT25BG60 and the RT1.3WE. What are good crossover points for the RT1? Looks like 2300-2400Hz minimum avoids distortion for the XT. Thanks for suggestions

[Wolf]

The RT1.3 prefers 2.6k+.
Wolf

[Colonel7]

Thanks Wolf

[PWR RYD]

3kHz LR4 is even better for the RT1.3WE. I've used it in two different projects and love it. The Beast Mode for $2 less can easily play an entire octave lower, which really opens it up for use with a lot more woofers (ie larger). I do think it gives up a bit on the finer details above 4 kHz compared to the RT1.3WE. That's totally subjective and probably biased though

[Colonel7]

Got it! Thanks for the help

[Wolf]

Craig is not wrong. The detail from the 1.3 is exceptional, and it is better at 3k, but 2.6k is not too far south.
You will likely need a 4th order electrical on them though.

Wolf