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Fullranger and tweeter

pauldrewry

pauldrewry

Super Member
I have fullrange speakers that use the Fostex FE167 driver. I know you can order super-tweeters to go with the driver, but prices for Fostex super tweeters (at Madisound) have turned my off. From $140 each on up to $700. Does anyone have other suggestiions worth trying?
 
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(Don't laugh)
Find a pair of mid-1980s vintage Radio Shack planar tweeters and cross them in very high, first order. They're efficient enough for many FR drivers (I am currently using a pair, padded down, with Altec Valencias) and very, very sweet sounding.

openvalencia.jpg

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Some of the bargain-priced new production planar or ribbon tweeters sold by PartsExpress might fill the bill, too(?)

Here are some 'for examples'; I haven't heard any so I cannot offer any objective comment, save that the prices are moderate.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=297-401
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=275-085
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=297-400
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=277-110
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=277-112

EDIT: Alternatively, how about the cheaper Fostex horns?

THis one looks like it might be a modernized version of the old Radio Shack bullet horn add-on supertweeter (which, at least initially, was Fostex OEM or a knockoff thereof).
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=131&products_id=286

THis one's also a bit more modestly priced than the more serious Fostex horns:
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=131&products_id=290
 
I plan to use Fostex FT17H Horn Super Tweeters ($37.10 ea. from Madisound) with BK16 cabs (FF165K drivers) as soon as the cabinets for the tweeters arrive. They look very similar to the old Radio Shack bullet super tweeters, which are another option.

Sorry, I can't comment on their sound, yet.
 
I have used the FT17H tweeter with a FX200 MLTL build and two Planet10 Half Changs using the FE207E; one pair for my son and the second pair for a good friend. I crossed over high with a single cap with L-Pad per the Fostex PDF for FT17H. Very nice. I would not hesitate to do the same with the FE167E, which I feel needs help on top.

Bill

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/PDF/fostexdrivers/ft17h.pdf
 
That would be my attempt at time alignment; pretty unscientific (and making no allowance for diffraction or reflection).

Thanks for not laughing. :-)
 
FWIW......some of the older alnico Coral/Calrad horn tweeters on flea-bay are really good IMO.

Steve
 
Funny you should mention that Gearhound as there are a couple of pairs of Calrad CT-4 horn tweeters currently listed on a certain online auction site.....

Related Question: Fisher (and even Zenith) used bullet horn tweeters made by Foster/Fostex in some models that look like the early Radio Shack add-on super tweeters from Foster/Fostex. Do these Fisher/Zenith tweets offer comparable frequency response? I do know that when they show up on Fleabay they sell for peanuts compared the the Rat Shack add on types which are always in demand.
 
I'm thinking the planars or any ribbon tweeter would be a good augmenter for hgh end. I've used Heil AMT's with pretty good sucess. Maybe the planar or ribbons are easier to integrate because of their dispersion characteristic. Could be the high crossover point at work, as well.

This is not to take away what was mentioned about the horn use as it must work well as others have posted. I just don't have any experience with using them.

BTW, my Fostex FE126e's are nearly broken in after 6 monthes of occasional use. Man, do these drivers change with time. I had read about the long break in and all that seems to be true.
 
Badwater said:
I have used the FT17H tweeter with a FX200 MLTL build and two Planet10 Half Changs using the FE207E; one pair for my son and the second pair for a good friend. I crossed over high with a single cap with L-Pad per the Fostex PDF for FT17H. Very nice. I would not hesitate to do the same with the FE167E, which I feel needs help on top.

Bill

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/PDF/fostexdrivers/ft17h.pdf
Click to expand...
Bill, did you use the 1.5 uf cap that was pictured in the crossover schematic from Fostex?
 
I was wondering if some of the new planars at PE would work. The price is right, might have to experiement. :yes:
 
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