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In the Forum: Audio For Dummies ™
In the Thread: UHF capable tweeters and the moronic conclusions

Post Subject: Overtones are not fundementalsPosted by rowuk on: 9/16/2012

Harlanov,
I would be interested in an explanation why the topology for HF and UHF must be the same. I do not agree with this premise especially in 4 or 5 way systems where primarily the last octave only is demanded. Here there are only overtones (mostly starting with the 5th or 6th overtone of the highest pitched instuments), there is no "speed" issue. The demands (power, dispersion) are considerably different in this range. The energy in the UHF audio range is relatively low level, its presence in live music is except for brass instruments very diffuse (Flutes and violins radiate vertically, many percussion instruments omnidirectionally.
My experience is that fine ribbons and magnetostats can be favorably blended with other technologies. I personally use a second magnetostat behind the speaker angled to reflect off of the back wall and ceiling to add this dimension to my playback. Because of the distance to the rear wall/ceiling, the reflected UHF arrives at the listening position well out of the early reflection time (>15ms) and therefore messes nothing else up.
Arguments about higher order crossovers with no context of the application are difficult to comment on. The higher order crossovers for UHF are only necessary when power handling is the primary issue, when the driver has a problem with resonance - that would disqualify its use anyway or when specific efforts are being made to control lobing (which could be simply necessary when the speakers are being used in the very near field).
In any case, it is not "dumb" to consider sound reproduction a process with very individual parameters based on the listeners familiarity with real instruments, technical background, audio expectations and willingness to experiment. Just because some audiophile claims "superior tone" or "absolute rules" does not make their personal preferences fact. It is very interesting to note that the engineers that create our favorite recordings generally do not use systems that many audiophiles would even consider "adequate". I think this is a fact that you should consider before claiming anything "absolute". Somehow those people are getting superior sonic results with no subjectivity...................
I had a recording session last week in a studio in Frankfurt, Germany. They were using some big Genelec monitors that did an admirable job in spite of a mix of direct radiators, domes and waveguides. It is NEVER the gun that makes the kill, it is he who pulls the trigger. We are not victims of the industry. Serious audio like anything else serious is available to all, but only achieved by the anal rententive fanatic. That does not mean that those few are the only ones enjoying music. In many cases ignorance is bliss and I often envy the listener that can get so caught up in the music that the warts do not matter.

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