(OT) Adding a ribbon tweeter to my speakers?

[gearfreak]

I think starting with 'what's the output of my 604's HF' is a better place to start.

Remember (or know), +3db = a doubleing of perceived volume (guys correct me if the terminology is not accurate).

So the 92db rated beston, is going to be half as loud at least as the 96db AC you initially post about. That's a big difference imo.

If the bestons are still viable, then they look cheap enough to play with. Otherwise investigate non-ribbons for other cheap options. Beyma CP09 (discon) /CP25 (more $), Piezo array...


Maybe instead, start with matching the new purchase's output (check the FR curve, make sure it's in the area you plan to use!) to that of the woofer, then just pad back the 604's horn accordingly (kind of a continuation of bowties suggestion).

For the 604 woofer section, you should be able to get nominally correct values, from it's companion. e.g. If a 604-k or l, probably matches the 515-8g series? So check the 515-8g for output spec'd in an alignment similar to yours (on horn in A7, or simple BR box, etc.)

[VolvoHeretic]

Go get two or four $3 piezos, hook one or two up to your main amp speaker wire with that capacitor, crossed over at 10000Hz, lay them on top of your speakers and see how they sound. like 'em or hate 'em, it's only $12 to experiment with, much cheaper than your open baffle. Move up the ladder from there if you don't like them. From what I understand, it's only harmonics up that high anyway.

[Steve Mac]

I put ribbon speakers above 10khz in my system and I've never looked back.
All of a sudden the sparkle is there and the wider spray is total ear candy.
But do it if and only if you got the midrange and mid bass right.
Which fortunately for us, Altecs shine at. Buy the good ones...

[mah]

FWIW

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

[Old Guy]

3 dB is a doubling of power, not perceived...generally 3dB is accepted as the smallest noticeable increase..lots claim to hear better, but don't have controlled tests. Trained ears can obviously do better than untrained ones, so bear in mind the 3 db description doesn't apply, they are not the "average" listener, due to being outside the norm.

if you wanna use a crossover cap on peizos a parallel resistor is necessary, or an L-pad, so as to present an 8 ohm load to the xover. This would be in addition to a series resistor which is recommended.

Essentially a parallel set of peizos, with a 20 ohm series resistor, wired past an L-pad, is the simplest.

Trimming the flanges of the peizos so they couple better has merit.
The peizo has a "falling" impedance curve...40-50 Ohms, say, at 2K, falling to perhaps 8 at 40 KHz. This leads many ignorant marketers to claim no crossover needed, and the peizo's bad rep. They produce energy all the way down to 800 Hz or so, in a bad fashion. My opinion calls for 6-7 KHz or even higher usage. I use half a dozen stacked in a vertical array, with the flanges trimmed. Amazing how good they CAN sound when used properly, especially at the price.
Using piezo tweeters wisely: a "how to" - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Lynn and Steve's Piezo page

Do this-stack VERTICALLY. I like them closer together.



Horrible idea, do not do this! Comb filtering Hell.



Why a series resistor? 8 ohms at 40 K divided by 6...equals freaking out amplifier. Not many ruggedized pro amps will handle a load like that, much less home stuff.