Metal Dome Tweeters

[Marco]

I've heard some speakers with metal dome tweeters I like, but in general I don't get on with them because they tend to lend a bright, forward, nature to the sound. Silver plated (not solid silver) cables also give a similar effect to my ears.

However, as with anything else in hi-fi, it's not what is used but how well it's implemented that counts, so I would never automatically dismiss metal dome tweeters for that reason.

Marco.

[Labarum]

When I bought my Quarts in 1988 it was generally said by Brits that German speakers were "all boom and tiz", and by the Germans that British speakers all rolled off in the treble.

The Quarts certainly need "smooth" amplification, and have used them with Sugden or Quad without any hint of aggressive or sibilant treble.

When I bought my Quad 77 Integrated I also auditioned the equivalent AVI box - very nice and beautifully made, but the balance of the system was then very aggressive.

Presently I am driving the Quarts with a newly refurbished Quad 405-2 - again a very detailed sound with secure imaging and no hint of roughness.

I am sure Marco is right - many technologies can produce extremely good results - if expertly implemented.

[Filterlab]

What are the current views about metal dome tweeters?

And what are there supposed advantages and disadvantages?

I love them personally, but I really enjoy crystal clean treble. To some people metal dome tweeters are too aggressive and sibilant whereas to others they're just right. If done correctly though they can be exceptionally smooth whilst offering highs to dote unto.

The best dome tweeters I've ever encountered (or certainly the ones that stick in my mind) are the diamond tweeters from Wharfedale's Coleridge C Class speakers from the late 80s/early 90s. So crisp and pure without going OTT.

The best tweeters I've ever encountered full stop are the ribbon tweeters that Rob from Robson Acoustics uses on his speakers, they have so much air and detail it's almost frightening. Next time you go to a show, look for Robson Acoustics and have a listen.

[David Price]

As ever, it's not about what it is but how it's done - Ford's old CVH in the Fiesta was a rattly old pig of an engine; Honda's C13 in the Civic was a free reving, smooth as silk jewel; both are 1.3 4 cyl petrol engines. All metal domes aren't created the same. The key point is the mass of the dome; the heavier it is, the slower it will sound and the more it will impose itself on the sound in terms of distortion, ringing, etc. That's why Yamaha chose Beryllium for the NS1000s - it is the lightest metal in the periodic table, and only the fourth lightest element itself! (Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium). Aluminium, magnesium and titanium are all a lot heavier and so less suitable. The problem is of course, matching your super-light, ultra fast and clean tweeter with any other drive unit; it's hardly going work coherently with the far heavier and slower KEF B110 (Linn Isobarik, etc.) is it? Which is why Yamaha then built a Beryllium dome midband unit - which is highly phase coherent - the Ushers, Focals, etc. don't have this. A healthy pair of NS1000Ms is a remarkable listen; quite stark but only 'hard' if the source components driving them are; they are icily clear and mind bogglingly fast. I wouldn't say they're a universal panacea, but certainly one of the greatest ever speakers and unique from an engineering point of view. So metal can be superb as a drive unit material; but it's got to be as light as possible and very carefully integrated into the speaker's drive unit complement as a whole.

[Labarum]

Which is why Yamaha then built a Beryllium dome midband unit

My 20 years old MB Quart's have a titanium dome tweeter and an aluminium domed midrange driver - the two bass drivers are conventionally made.

At the time, in Germany, the Quart 980 and its sisters had outstanding reviews.

[Prince of Darkness]

That's why Yamaha chose Beryllium for the NS1000s - it is the lightest metal in the periodic table, and only the fourth lightest element itself! (Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium).

Since when was Lithium not a metal!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium

[David Price]

Hi Kevin - yes, you're right! What I meant was the lightest 'useable' metal, as you can't make tweeters out of it! A Lithium dome would last about as long a joint in a jazz club. It's a highly unstable and reactive element - as my O level chemistry lessons proved!

[Prince of Darkness]

Something like this?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oxhW7TtXIAM

I remember it well. Has to be stored in oil to prevent reaction with air.

[DSJR]

In my experience, if many metal domes are sent too low in frequency by an inappropriate crossover, they can sound truly horrid, but a dem given to me by a speaker designer moving the crossover frequency up turned a sqawky mess into a sweet and very clear treble with sparkle..

As David said earlier, it's how it's done and how the particular tweeter is used..

[Rare Bird]

Best sounding tweeter if well exicuted in design is the Celestion 'HF1300'/Coles '4001'' combo.