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items: Tweeter Options for Line Arrays
items: Re: Tweeter Options for Line Arrays

Tweeter Options for Line Arrays
type: item
description: Rick, I noticed you've designed line arrays using Fountek ribbons, BG Neo 8's, and Dayton PT2's. Each seems to have its own set of advantages and disadvangages: Zaph's distortion results have convinced many people that the Fountek NeoCd2 isn't a viable choice. However, reviewers almost universally rave about their sound, and they seem to be the only choice for a speaker whose woofer array will be more sensitive than 95dB. Also, they can be used with a 6.5" woofer array, which negates the need for a subwoofer. The Neo 8's relatively low sensitivity, limited dispersion, and lack of upper octave output seem to be a great disadvantage, but they can be crossed very low, and every year when I hear them in line arrays at RMAF they sound very impressive. The PT2 is the least expensive, and if it's really a Silver Flute YAG-20 with the Dayton brand on it, its distotion tests aren't good. However, when I heard them in a line array they sounded about as good as a comparably priced dome, and they are the only ribbon/planar tweeter choice for an array that can be built for under $1.5K. So there's lots of confusion about these tweeters out there. Since you're the only person I know who has actually heard them in a line array application I was wondering how you would compare their sound in your designs.
creator: AudioFred
date: 2009-09-22T00:52:48-00:00

Re: Tweeter Options for Line Arrays
type: item
description: AudioFred wrote on Mon, 21 September 2009 19:52 Rick, I noticed you've designed line arrays using Fountek ribbons, BG Neo 8's, and Dayton PT2's. Each seems to have its own set of advantages and disadvantages: Zaph's distortion results have convinced many people that the Fountek NeoCd2 isn't a viable choice. However, reviewers almost universally rave about their sound, and they seem to be the only choice for a speaker whose woofer array will be more sensitive than 95dB. Also, they can be used with a 6.5" woofer array, which negates the need for a subwoofer. The Neo 8's relatively low sensitivity, limited dispersion, and lack of upper octave output seem to be a great disadvantage, but they can be crossed very low, and every year when I hear them in line arrays at RMAF they sound very impressive. The PT2 is the least expensive, and if it's really a Silver Flute YAG-20 with the Dayton brand on it, its distortion tests aren't good. However, when I heard them in a line array they sounded about as good as a comparably priced dome, and they are the only ribbon/planar tweeter choice for an array that can be built for under $1.5K. So there's lots of confusion about these tweeters out there. Since you're the only person I know who has actually heard them in a line array application I was wondering how you would compare their sound in your designs. Well unfortunately too many people accept Zaph's tests to be the gospel and never bother to investigate for themselves. Sadly John rarely will engage in a civil discussion with anyone that dares to disagree with him and for me that raises a red flag. I do think he has some good things to say but is very close-minded to other opinions. Obviously many people like the Fountek ribbons so one may conclude one or more of the following: A) Zaph's tests are flawed B) Those of us who like the Fountek ribbons enjoy hearing distortion C) Distortion isn't as important as things like frequency response,dispersion,etc D) Measurements don't always …
creator: selahaudio
date: 2009-09-23T00:10:34-00:00

Re: Tweeter Options for Line Arrays
type: item
description: Rick, I tend to like John K's recommendations, but I always do a web search to see if there are people who also agree with him. I don't know about his unwillingness to discuss. I'm just a lowly DIYer and he's been willing to communicate with me by email. He doesn't enjoy getting into the kinds of arguments that you and Danny at GR Audio did a couple of years ago. But John's been willing to discuss with anyone and has often done so using an alias on the PE forum. I do thank you for your long explanation of other options though. However, I really don't like the sounds of the tweeters that are planars and ribbons and prefer the transparancy of hardly driven domes in line arrays. Maybe its the distortion that I don't like. But then, doing it the way I did is way way too labor intensive for most people. Marlboro
creator: Marlboro
date: 2009-09-23T01:01:24-00:00