RIP Cole's supertweeters

[synsei]

I am a twat, it's official!!! Due to a basic, nay, stupid error on my part this afternoon I managed to blow both Cole's in my DM2's. I need a stiff drink and a couple of doors to punch.... :steam:

[Macca]

Let me guess you switched from analogue source to digital and did not adjust the volume on the pre-amp first? Sorry to hear this Dave but you can get replacements easy enough.

[synsei]

Let me guess you switched from analogue source to digital and did not adjust the volume on the pre-amp first? Sorry to hear this Dave but you can get replacements easy enough.

Nope, but just as bad Martin: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10732-The-Long-Way-Home&p=507240#post507240 post #596

There won't be any replacements unless I can sell the DR5 before Christmas...

[walpurgis]

That was unfortunate Dave. How did it happen?

Personally, I've always disliked the Coles tweeter. To my ears, it adds a hardness/grittiness to the top end that better tweeters avoid and frankly I'd sooner use something else. Compared to the superb HF2000 or even KEF's T27 it's no contest. In your situation, I'd look around for a different unit to try and not worry too much about retaining originality.



(just seen that you answered my question before I posted. We must have overlapped postings)

[synsei]

That was unfortunate Dave. How did it happen?

Personally, I've always disliked the Coles tweeter. To my ears, it adds a hardness/grittiness to the top end that better tweeters avoid and frankly I'd sooner use something else. Compared to the superb HF2000 or even KEF's T27 it's no contest. In your situation, I'd look around for a different unit to try and not worry too much about retaining originality.



(just seen that you answered my question before I posted. We must have overlapped postings)

I've no love for either of the tweeters you mention Geoff having listened to them in several installations. Personally I like what the Coles do within the context of the DM2's and now they are dead it is very apparent that they are responsible for the sparkle I treasure so much... :doh:

[synsei]

I have an idea which is probably a no-goer but what the hell, I'll mention it anyway: In my garage I have a pair of Heybrook HB1's which have knackered cabs and bass/mids however the tweeters are fully functional, could they be utilized in place of the Coles without having to resort to carpentry and electronics skills (because I have neither)? I can solder a bit though... :eyebrows:

[Audio Al]

Any of these ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xcole+ tweeters&_nkw=cole+tweeters&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[walpurgis]

I believe the HB1 used a Vifa tweeter. It should have a reasonably extended top end (there's probably a graph on the net somewhere). I'd imagine it could function as a super tweeter. Apart from fitting it in the cabinet, your main issue would be matching it to the crossover, which is likely to be designed for a 16 ohm unit (are your Coles marked with the impedance). It could be worth trying anyway, the change in driver impedance is unlikely to have a big effect on treble roll in for the supertweeter. The output level may well be different, but at frequencies that high it may not be noticeable.

Having built maybe fifty pairs of speakers in the past, some using supertweeters, I've had the opportunity to evaluate and directly compare the various popular drive units. I definitely found the HF2000 superior to all the rest, it has a sweet smoothness that the others just don't seem to achieve, I found it even better than the Decca ribbons I had. My Japanese Coral super tweeters came close though and the T27 works well. Surprisingly, the old Goodmans DT3 dome unit works well as a supertweeter too, with output up to 22kHz.

[istari_knight]

What he said ↑

The Coles will be either 8 or 16 ohms [4001K & 4001G respectively.] IIRC the HB1 Vifa tweeters are D26 which are 6ohms... Regardless, I would say definitely give it a try... Worst case scenario ? It wont sound "right" :)

[Mr Kipling]

From ferretting about it's 16R but measures 23. There's a thread on supertweeters from 2010 but I'll have to go back for it. Hi-Fi Dave was using (to good effect) the cheap (£10 then) pizeo (don't think that's spelt right) type you can get from the likes of Maplins. I always used to wonder if they were really any good.

[Reffc]

This might be of interest Dave:

http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/drive-units-1/coles-4001-drive-units/coles-4001g-16-ohm-super-tweeter.html

[Mr Kipling]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?5498-Super-Tweeters-Fact-or-Flights-of-Fancy

[synsei]

They are indeed 4001G's. Thanks Paul but I have been advised that I can source them direct from Coles for half what Falcon are charging ;)

[Spectral Morn]

Sorry to read this Dave - hope you get it sorted soon.


Regards Neil