Why materials don't matter...

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Jun 26, 2005 | 08:57 PM

mike bisson

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With all this debate going on over materials, I thought I would express my own opinion on this matter -- it is however an opinion and if someone does not agree, please express yours in a respectful and clear manner.

Why materials don't matter...

While it is true that certain materials have certain desirable characteristics that make them unique (strength, low weight, stiffness, nice looks), ANY material can be used successfully to design a tweeter, midrange, woofer or subwoofer.

Much like Car Audio, where it is installation that determines the success of a system, in the design of audio equipment, it is engineering that determines the success of a product (how well it works).

I have enjoyed many tweeters made of textile and
metal

I have enjoyed many woofers made of paper, poly, metal, kevlar, etc

I have enjoyed many subwoofers made of paper, poly, metal, etc

I have heard bad tweeters make of textile and metal

I have heard bad woofers made of paper, poly, metal, kevlar, etc

I have heard bad subwoofers made of paper, poly, metal, etc

Like many other people, I do have preferences when it comes to materials for certain drivers; however, I have also learned that actually listening to the driver in question gives me a better idea of it's performance than a spec. sheet.

Jun 26, 2005 | 09:25 PM

Kris Dancey

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I think some materials are definitely better in some aplications than others. I've owned several sets of compression drivers that utilize Beryllium diaphrams, and to my ear they definitely cover a broader frequency range, and sound smoother. Beryllium is a very light but strong metal which alows for a larger diaphram, that weighs the same as a smaller diaphram of other materials. The result is a large diaphram that can play quite low, but is still light enough to play the higher frequencies.

On the other hand, I dont think there is much of an advantage when comparing a 1" Beryllium (or any other exotic material) to a 1" Aluminum/Silk/Titanium tweeter. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Jun 26, 2005 | 11:05 PM

Tim Baillie.

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I like tweeters who's domes are made from silk panties

[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

Jun 27, 2005 | 09:46 AM

veeman

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I've heard good and bad from all kinds of materials. I do agree it's in the engineering and application that determines how good a system sounds and not the material of choice.

Jun 27, 2005 | 09:50 AM

Sassmaster

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Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Baillie.:
I like tweeters who's domes are made from silk panties

[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

I always wondered about what tim did with his old clothes

Jun 27, 2005 | 09:58 AM

Dereck Waller

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BURN!

Jun 27, 2005 | 04:44 PM

islandphile

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Quote:

Originally posted by Sassmaster:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Tim Baillie.:
I like tweeters who's domes are made from silk panties

[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

I always wondered about what tim did with his old clothes </font>[/QUOTE]LOL...You should see the new prototype silk dome mids Tim's working on... and now Dukk finally has use for his old silk knickers

Jun 27, 2005 | 07:16 PM

Sassmaster

Merry Christmass from CCA

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is yuli comtributing some of his? or are the skidmarks going to degrade the frequency response?

Jun 27, 2005 | 08:44 PM

Chadxton

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So far I have less to complain about from having heard metal dome tweets over soft ones. I find there are some soft dome tweets that do sound great, but not by a huge amount compared to metal domes.