super tweeters

[Wakefield Turntables]

I always fancied a pair. I dont really know much about them so i would appreciate some recommendations. Thanks :)

[The Black Adder]

I had some in my SHL5's. I thought they sounded great together as a unit. I was about to push the button on some Tannoy ST200's once but the price put me off big time.

I think they can add some presence but if not set up properly they can sound artificial like Michael Buble and just as annoying. :) It's a suck it and see thing if you ask me, Andrew.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I think they can add some presence but if not set up properly they can sound artificial like Michael Buble and just as annoying. :) It's a suck it and see thing if you ask me, Andrew.

Joe, that's my idea of hell :lol:

[tommy6206]

Just get a nice pair of Ditton 44's :D

[hifi_dave]

Are the Motorola piezo tweeters still available ? ProAc used them on many of their designs and I used to have a pair on long leads with croc clips to tack onto any speaker I fancied. They did the trick and were only £4 a go.

[Reffc]

You have to be a bit careful about super-tweeters, rather, careful when partnering them as many kick in from 12 to 15K Hz and can double (or more) treble energy output. If your speakers measure flat to 20KHz, then adding ST's could cause a pronounced and very annoying peak where you may not want it as the signal is additive to your speakers' own tweeter output. However, some are able to be tuned for kick in at closer to 16 to 18KHz and rise to a dizzying 60KHz or more. So what's the point if it's outside audible range?

Well, one theory is this: notes are made up of "fundamentals" plus "over-tones" which additively are sometimes referred to as harmonics (which define things like timbre and cut-in/decay) and much harmonic content lies well above 20KHz, in fact some going higher than 80KHz reputedly, then it is claimed by some that stripping out this upper part of the harmonic spectrum degrades the audio signal and that presence and even bass definition can be reduced in quality. I don't know about that and remain sceptical but from personal perspective, raising treble energy by 2 or even 3db with some speakers above say 15kHz may be a good thing for those of us that are,..errr, "time-challenged" (old) where our hearing is quite often 3dB down above 15KHz once into our 40's.

Agree with the other comments though, it's a suck it and see thing. There are some much cheaper alternatives to the (excellent quality) Tannoy ones and you can find some good (and adjustable) ST's on the auction site for between £75 and £200. There's a guy (who I've been in correspondence with in the past) who seems to know his stuff who builds and markets them on there. Haven't tried them personally so cannot vouch for them from my own experience,but he seemed genuine enough.

[realysm42]

Couldn't get on with my Townshend ones so sold them on, was a shame really as in theory they should be great. YMMV as with anything I guess.

[Rowlf]

How do you set up super-tweeters? Do you just connect it via jumper cables from your speakers or it has to run direct from the amp? Any active crossovers required?

[Reffc]

They usually run from jumpers attached to the loudspeaker binding posts, the adjustability (where fitted) being within the unit. Since the treble cross-over in speakers usually passes all HF above a certain point (lets say 6KHz), this is passed to the tweeter which kicks out a FR from the cross-over point to between 20 and 30KHz (in some cases) so the super tweeter augments this output and carries on out-putting frequency above that of the tweeter.

Actual SPL depends on the sensitivity of the ST. If it's less than that of the main tweeter then you may not notice much audible change. If its significantly more (say +3dB) then it could dominate at audible frequencies. Best to match sensitivities unless you particularly want the ST to raise HF PSLs beyond what your ears might like! Many are offered with adjustable outputs for this reason, and some are offered with adjustable frequency kick-in (ie -3dB/0dB/+3dB/16KHz/18KHz/20KHz). Some are simply fixed value so before trying one, check impedance load and sensitivity against that of your speakers.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just get a nice pair of Ditton 44's :D

I've already got a pair.

Guys thanks for the comments, keep em comin!

[Rowlf]

Cheers Paul. My 1SC was not lacking in top end but I am quite incline to explore super-tweeters in order to add that "sense of 3D space". It may be beyond my ability to hear it in audible terms but I curious to see if my ears could "feel" it even if it can't hear it.

[wiicrackpot]

Just get a nice pair of Ditton 44's :D
Tommy, are you trying to say a pair of Super Tweets can take place of burnt out Ditton 44 tweeters?,
the price of them HF2000 are hitting is ridiculous and i've got a pair of 44's with gubbed tweets. :doh:

[tommy6206]

Tommy, are you trying to say a pair of Super Tweets can take place of burnt out Ditton 44 tweeters?,
the price of them HF2000 are hitting is ridiculous and i've got a pair of 44's with gubbed tweets. :doh:

No The 44's as you know have super tweets so just buy a pair of 44's but as he has a pair no need. Easier than buying super tweets and adding them into other speakers I have a pair myself and love them..and so easy to drive.

[Harry Hill]

Hi, before you decide to buy some super tweeters why not pop down the local dealers and have a listen to some speakers that already have super tweeters built in just to see if you like the concept or can even hear a difference?

It seems quite a few speakers are now using the ribbon tweeters in some of their designs such as Monitor Audio and Elac, got to be worth a go.
:cool:

[goraman]

If you really must Fostex makes really nice ones at a reasonable price.

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=manufacturer&parent=0&mid=25&search_in=all&search_str=&pg=4

Also Fostex made some nice Super Tweeters for Radio Shack under the brand Realistic and they are first rate.

Try to get the Japanese Fostex not the Korean ones.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vintage-Realistic-Bullet-Horn-SUPER-TWEETERS-40-1310A-Japanese-Version-/261141409597?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3ccd3daf3d

[tannoyman]

I always fancied a pair. I dont really know much about them so i would appreciate some recommendations. Thanks :)

Hi Andrew

I have to say that i am not a fan of supertweeters. I used tannoy ST200's with my Westminster Royals for nearly 5 years. My view is that they add an artificial presence to the music and mess up the imaging. If you like your sound truly larger than life you may like them. If you like your sound natural they may prove an expensive distraction

David:):)

[daytona600]

Andrew can send you a pair if you want to try them
Taket batmasters 18hz-150khz