Cure for the ribbon tweeter bug?

[Grenadeslio]

Huh?? I never said it was, except for getting confused as to which one the 3006 used.

Well, the Emit K is really something special, but it's output is very wide horizontally but not so much vertically, this could have something to do with the recommendation. The Emit R doesn't have this same radiation pattern being spherical.

 

[gfisher2001]

Yes, definitely spherical and definitely EMIT-R in the Crescendo's. The other speakers I have with the "domes" the highs just sound "throttled" or choked so to speak. Granted they are far from nice, but reviewed very well for what I paid at the time. I am just seeking that high treble clarity that the LX-4's and the Crescendo seem to have. The clarity just seems to cut through better. I'd love to find an inexpensive Center Channel to do that, because now I am wondering what I am missing. I am give the Dayton Air C452 a try.

 

[swechsler]

The Linaseum drivers are nothing like ribbons or Maggie quasi-ribbons. Imagine a couple of pieces of curved mylar with one end of each piece attached to the edge of a rectangular frame, and the other end attached to a voice coil in the center (this monopolar type is used in the LX-4, the matching center and one or two other models; this isn't the omnidirectional version).

IMO you'd do well by looking for one of the higher end models of Magneplanars with ribbon tweeters, some of the older ones (such as the MG-III) can be had for fairly low prices; while they may need repair, there's plenty of documentation online to show how to do it. Those are true ribbons; that is, the diaphragm and conductor are one and the same; contrast that with the EMIT, which has the aluminum conductor printed on the diaphragm like a printed circuit board.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Yes, definitely spherical and definitely EMIT-R in the Crescendo's. The other speakers I have with the "domes" the highs just sound "throttled" or choked so to speak. Granted they are far from nice, but reviewed very well for what I paid at the time. I am just seeking that high treble clarity that the LX-4's and the Crescendo seem to have. The clarity just seems to cut through better. I'd love to find an inexpensive Center Channel to do that, because now I am wondering what I am missing. I am give the Dayton Air C452 a try.

Look at the Jamo C-10 I believe it is, this should provide what you're looking for. It's not in any way a ribbon, but it has the same tweeter as the C-103 which I have and I can attest this will have exactly what you're looking for. It's not cheap, but check eBay you might catch someone flipping one from the crazy Amazon sales a while back.

 

[chop_sooie]

I am not sure how it got so lost in the shuffle of this thread the fact that I actually contacted Magnepan asking what their recommendation of a good matching box speaker was, and they themselves said "Ascend CBM-170." I would assume that they would still suggest that brand for a center channel. In fact, there may be an even better option now, the Sierra Horizon with RAAL ribbon tweeter:

However if you want to stick with what you already know sounds good, there's always the Infinity CS-Video center channel with the same EMIT-R tweeter:

 

[gfisher2001]

That Infinity CS-Video might be the ticket! I can't seem to find much searching Google. All I've come across is a thread on here about someone doing a re-foam.

Any idea what a good used price is for these?
Quality of sound/reviews?
Is this the same as the Infinity Kappa Center?

 

[rickb119]

I am not sure how it got so lost in the shuffle of this thread the fact that I actually contacted Magnepan asking what their recommendation of a good matching box speaker was, and they themselves said "Ascend CBM-170." I would assume that they would still suggest that brand for a center channel. In fact, there may be an even better option now, the Sierra Horizon with RAAL ribbon tweeter:

However if you want to stick with what you already know sounds good, there's always the Infinity CS-Video center channel with the same EMIT-R tweeter:

I have a pair of Ascend Sierra 2's, with RAAL tweeter's, and they truly are amazing. One of the few tweeters that doesn't send my tinnitus into overdrive.

 

[chop_sooie]

That Infinity CS-Video might be the ticket! I can't seem to find much searching Google. All I've come across is a thread on here about someone doing a re-foam.

Any idea what a good used price is for these?
Quality of sound/reviews?
Is this the same as the Infinity Kappa Center?

There's also the Kappa Video Center Series I:

And Series II:

both of which use the EMIT-R tweeter.

Also the Delta Center:

which I know uses an EMIT as well but not sure which one.

 

[stereofanboy]

The B652 Airs were a disappointment to me, probably due to high expectations. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't suck as badly as I thought while still not measuring up to the LX-4s.

No surprise considering the cost difference. The LX-4s were $200 in 1995. Adjusted for inflation, that'd be $335 today. I think those Airs cost me ~$55.

I ought to pull them out and compare them back to back. I might be surprised.

 

[swechsler]

There's also the Kappa Video Center Series I:

And Series II:

both of which use the EMIT-R tweeter.

Also the Delta Center:

which I know uses an EMIT as well but not sure which one.

I own all of those centers (although currently using only the Deltas because all the rest need refoaming). The Kappa video and CS Video are so similar to the point that I don't know why they bothered making two different designs. AFAICT the tweeters in the Detla series are the same as all other EMIT-Rs but with a different frame design.

 

[gfisher2001]

I own all of those centers (although currently using only the Deltas because all the rest need refoaming). The Kappa video and CS Video are so similar to the point that I don't know why they bothered making two different designs. AFAICT the tweeters in the Detla series are the same as all other EMIT-Rs but with a different frame design.

Hmm, maybe I could refoam them and then borrow them for like 5 years? Whatdasay?

 

[swechsler]

Mmm, not so much. But the Kappa Videos come up on ebay pretty often, and overall they're not that expensive.

 

[chop_sooie]

Hmm, maybe I could refoam them and then borrow them for like 5 years? Whatdasay?

I'm still away from home for holidays but when I get back to NW Arkansas end of this week, there is one of those Infinity centers at a local pawn shop that has the EMIT tweeter I could go check out again. I believe it's the Delta center but not sure. At any rate IIRC it was a pretty good price, and it's been there a good while so it may be able.to be had for a song. If you're interested.

 

[gfisher2001]

I'm still away from home for holidays but when I get back to NW Arkansas end of this week, there is one of those Infinity centers at a local pawn shop that has the EMIT tweeter I could go check out again. I believe it's the Delta center but not sure. At any rate IIRC it was a pretty good price, and it's been there a good while so it may be able.to be had for a song. If you're interested.

Thanks for the offer. Don't make a special trip on my account though. There is one going on ebay right now for $85.00, it's' the CS Video version. Waiting on the seller to confirm that it has an EMIT tweeter as the images only show a grill on the front. Hypothetically, is that a reasonable price if intact? I wouldn't mind a refoam job as I did it all around on the CS 3006's already. But not keen on spending $85.00 if I need to put multiple hours into repair.

Swechsler, can I go out on a limb and say that you like the sound of them? Is the clarity on par with other Crescendo Emit tweeters?

After hearing how clear the LX-4 is compared to my current center channel, I am not itching for better clarity from my center channel.

 

[chop_sooie]

Thanks for the offer. Don't make a special trip on my account though. There is one going on ebay right now for $85.00, it's' the CS Video version.

That seems like a decent deal to me but I'm no expert, never owned one. That shop is about 2 miles from my house, pass by it all the time. No problem for me to stop in and take a look (along with a few phitos) and double check the model and price.
That said, the CS Video may be the better option since it was specifically designed to go with the Crescendo series.

 

[teebee]

When I get up and walk around the room, I remember why I don’t miss ribbons. I’ve always experienced a noticeable decline in the top octave off axis.

 

[chop_sooie]

When I get up and walk around the room, I remember why I don’t miss ribbons. I’ve always experienced a noticeable decline in the top octave off axis.

Check out the discussion of the RAAL tweeter used in the Ascend Acoustics Sierra models (scroll down to the "Polar Response" section):

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRT/Ascend Sierra Ribbon Tower.pdf

I would absolutely love to try one out one of these products sometime, unfortunately I am a caviar guy on a Long John Silvers budget.

 

[rickb119]

Check out the discussion of the RAAL tweeter used in the Ascend Acoustics Sierra models (scroll down to the "Polar Response" section):

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRT/Ascend Sierra Ribbon Tower.pdf

I would absolutely love to try one out one of these products sometime, unfortunately I am a caviar guy on a Long John Silvers budget.

I believe those measurements are for the Sierra Tower (larger RAAL) and not the Sierra 2 bookshelf (smaller RAAL). Though it's no slouch either.

 

[gfisher2001]

Maybe once my kids college is paid for, the mortgage is paid off and no major bills looming overhead I'll be able to consider the Mag's and the Sierra's.

 

[swechsler]

$85 is a good price for the CS Video, but be sure to budget for replacement surrounds. I do like the Deltas, they work well in both my HT systems, one with Kappa 8s and the other with Kappa 8.1s. I haven't compared the Deltas to the CS or Kappa video but I'd be surprised if they sound very different.