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In the Forum: Horn-Loaded Speakers
In the Thread: Tweeter for Vitavox S2. High-sensitively ribbons?
Post Subject: Re: ribbons, ribbons, ribbons. Ribbons?Posted by Paul S on: 10/21/2006
I believe that the Arum Cantus is typical of most ribbons in mirroring one of the principal failings of MC cartridges, a rising top end (over 20k), although I have not actually heard this - at all - with my own small Arum Cantus, and I just go nuts with typical MC cartridge.  With the Wright amps the G2Si did not seem to live up to their efficiency specs using my little cap and coil crossover.  I can't offer good descriptions of their sound with the ML2s until I get my TT going, but there is obviously a MUCH better match now.  MUCH MUCH better, in fact.  I am very encouraged that the hardness has come up for the correct "air", which used to be somewhat hiss-y but is now properly, forcefully ragged when appropriate, and it is melded in with the sound, not just added on top.  Also, before I blame the Arum Cantus for anything I think I will try other caps in that crossover; right now I think I have a baby Auricap for that one.  All in all, I think the Arum Cantus still has plenty of "potential" for ML2, so IMO it is that "good", anyway, meaning at least it is not obviously limited with ML2.

Naturally, Arum Cantus quality control is not the best; but these are very simple tweeters, and the inside of the magnet gap/"throat" is carefully felted, with mating surfaces well-lapped where it is important.  I suppose you might say it is barely good enough for the money, typical of these days, when almost everything is "outsourced" to China, anyway, or it might as well be.  The little blocks that clamp the ribbon look cheesy, but they do clamp properly if you pay attention, and it is easy to change the ribbon if you need to.

My own comparisons of tweeters are that nothing I have tried (except the RTR ESR6 electrostats) lives up to the best silk domes, which, as you know, lose power fast above 10k.  I have only heard Ravens in overwrought "audiophile" speakers, but I seem to remember they have uneven impedence and power (?), and in any case those I heard were run too low, and I can't stand the MF ribbon - too much like a banjo.

I have been able to get around some of the baffle problems by semi-careful phase alignment with DX4 and positioning the speakers.  In your case, I believe you could just suspend them in free air, not to mention the "dual tweeter" array, which I agree has some very nice benefits, and even two tweeters that are both off-axis.  I think most of the small baffle problems can be mitigated by axial alignment vs listening position and phase integration with other drivers.

I forget where you cut off your horns' HF, but I am not sure why you'd want to run a horn very high.  Nothing like the nice silk dome in its range.  I have not tried the silk dome/ribbon combination, BTW, just now thinking about it again...

Best regards,
Paul S

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