Criterion 90 Speakers - Tweeter replacement recommendations

[rocknroller]

Got these pair of 4-way criterion for $25. Wood was in beautiful shape, great grill covers and cabinets nice and large so I think have some curb appeal for people. They have a "presence" about them. 1 woofer , 1 mid, 2 paper tweeters and 2 Metal dome tweeters. Unfortunately, while I expected a tweeter, maybe 2 worst case to be possibly dead, turns out all 4 of the paper tweeters are dead and 1 metal tweeter as well. Of course, no originals to be sourced (and certainly not in that quantity).

I was hoping for some cheap buy-out replacements from parts express, as I didn't want to sink a ton of additional money into them. However, the closest paper tweeter https://www.parts-express.com/t-25-2-1-2-paper-cone-tweeter-8-ohm--279-452 which is a bargain at $3.50 each (and probably better then the original tweeters) unfortunately has a 4" frame diameter. The original inset cutouts (for the frame portion) on the cab are 3.75", so I would have to lay them flat on the face. Any concerns about that from an air sealing perspective? Or know of another cheap substitute that might be a better physical fit?

Then there's the metal dome tweeter. I could replace the 1 dead one with a modern day soft or titanium dome but then the other 3 don't match and has the same mounting issue as above. Replacing all 4 doesn't seem to make $$ sense, unless it's going to turn these into $150 value cabs as a result. Of course, I could just sit and wait on an EBAY alert for one to pop up too, but they tend to be pricey when/if they do.

Thoughts?

 

[goodolpg]

Have you checked the bad ones with a digital multi meter?
If you get a reading they might be good and the problem is elsewhere, like a fuse or circuit breaker.
If you don't have a meter you could wire them direct with low volume, treble turned down, and just long enough to see if they produce sound.
And if there's fuse check it with the meter too. Fuses can "looks fine" and still be blown.

 

[rocknroller]

yes with a meter - they are definitely shot.

 

[swechsler]

You can probably fill the space behind the tweeter with some Mortite to maintain the seal.

Regarding the metal tweeters, I'd consider replacing them with some inexpensive soft or metal domes (Parts Express has several under $11 each, or look for some Chinese-sold ones on eBay). Or you are willing to spend a little more, try these AMT tweeters (assuming the specs are compatible). although you'll probably need to make a sub-baffle for them to fit the cabinet. If you go with the AMTs, I'd get just one per speaker.

Before you buy anything, though, make sure you have at least a pretty close match of impedance. I'm going to assume that the original paper cones were either 4 or 16Ω, depending on how they're wired. Or they're 8Ω and the other drivers are 4Ω.

And lastly, here's a previous thread with some good info.

 

[quiet]

Four new papers and a used metal dome does make since. The dome may not be missed until one comes along. But the papers, hey you need them now.