Most type of sq splits with price more than $600.00 contains metal dome tweeter, such as Kortec from Boston, Tioxid from Focal, Titanium from MB Quart, and so on.
So my stupid question is : the diferent between those two (silk&metal) really audible in sq term?
On specs, i found the highest freq of silk tweeter is 32,000hz, and the metal one is 22,000hz ( i hope im not right ).
So actually which one you guys prefered ?
I know the answer is of course the more expensive one, right? Or just coming back to the personal taste?
Need your opinion(s) cos im planning to upgrade my split(that contain silk dome tweeter from Pioneer), and all my choices are split with metal tweeter.
Cheers

Silk Dome is softer and more natural I find, Metal domes generally sound harsher, and really need to be setup right, with good crossover networks, else they sound like @$@#$ (Low-end MB-Quarts prove this for a fact). Ive had both types now, latest is a silk dome, and I wont be looking back. A number of High End SQ splits feature silk dome tweeters, Dynaudio and DLS to name two that instantly spring to mind, and do quite well in SQ comps.

Best listen to a few and see which you prefer. I wouldnt pass too much judgement just via the silk-dome in your pioneer splits, pioneer are not renound for their tweeters

There is no right or wrong or better or worse, just what you prefer. I tend to prefer soft dome but have heard some great hard dome too. The material has nothing to do with quality, as many high end speakers use both types, depending on the brand.

Anyway try and get an in car listen, as demo boards wont tell you as much, before you commit to any speaker
peace
Cyberpunky

Thanks for your replay HyperXL and Cyberpunky.
I run my split actively with my 4ch earthquake amp around 75 rms per channel (i think ?). Its sound really much better than passive using standard x-over, cos i got benefit for use the active x-over amp. The tweeter sounds soft, i set the highest freq of hp filter for avoid any voice ( specialy female's voice) coming thru tweeters. I dont realize if some brands still using the silk tweeter for their top products.
Actually if silk one sounds more natural than metal, ill really stick with this type, because my main reason to upgrade is im looking for better mid bass ( mid range), i want driver that can produce strong voice, this pioneer looks very weak.
Or you reckon i just change out the pioneer mid bass and replace with better one ?
Need your opinion again.....
Cheers
EDZ

The primary differecne between metal and fabric (silk) dome tweeters and one of resonance. Metal dome tweeters tend to have resonances within the audible range of frequencies while fabric dome tweeters resonances normally appear above the audible range of frequencies. This can have audible effects on the sound of tweeters using different dome materials. Silk domes are generally regarded as smoother, more natural sounding while metal is usually associated with a harder, edgier sound. If everyone agreed on what sounded best there would only be one brand of speakers on the market, and as there are currently about 500 brands I suspect that a decision is yet to be made...............

Midbass certainly isnt one of pioneer's strong points. If you want strong midbass, go with either Dynaudio, CDT, OZ Audio or Adire. Try and stick with the same brand with mids and tweets as they will usually work very well together, regardless of what the tweeter is made from

as everyone says its to your own taste, i prefer metal dome tweeters for their sharp accuracy, but silks do sound smooth and more transparent.
If you do use metal dome tweets you will see any weaknesses in your system in relatin to amp selection and noise. if you have an amp that is a little brittle in the top end metal tweets will show this more than silks.

One of the big differences is the on and off axis frequency responses - metal dome tweeters tend to have a larger bandwidth, which can extend to over 20khz++ even somewhat off axis. Soft dome tweeters on the other hand generally only extend to 20khz on axis and roll off earlier when off axis. This is the major reason why *SOME* metal domes have a reputation of being harsh or soft dome tweeters being smooth etc..

The install has a lot to do with it - in some cases off axis response is very important (ie stock mounting locations), other times it may not be so desirable (think about all of the reflections in a car.. or when they are mounted more on axis)

Then personal preference comes into it - not all people like tweeters that are flat to 30khz. Some people prefer the "natural" sound of it starting to roll off at 10khz or whatever.. etc etc..

As Cyberpunky said, "There is no right or wrong or better or worse".

Its all about the application...

[ August 02, 2003, 20:04: Message edited by: Bassaholic ]

Im using some active Oz Audio components for my front stage, these couuld be classed as >$600 rrp and i got mine with Oz Audio top of there line Silk Cotten tweeter.

I have read on some american tech sites, that silk and metal dome tweeters also offer diffent on and off axis angles, if my PC was up i would give you the links to where i read this stuff, but thats going off the top of my head.

Cheers for your reply guys

silk. definately silk. all these points are good and true. and i've had long discussions with lotsa people (including the distributor for MBq).

metal tweeters esp cheap metal tweeters just plain hurt. besides, gotta keep the silkworms employed! HA!

Thanks again guys for the replies.
Just received the Cliff design Catalog from Mr Rick van Bree, Zylux Audio Visual Manager (heaps of Thanks!!) including the rrp list as well.
Found all speakers product line with silk dome tweeter. Seems like CD-6.5C splits is my target for next upgrade. With the rrp $ 650.00 is this a good buy ? Or you guys reckon other brands ?
I've got CDT, Dynaudio, OZ Audio in mind.

Maybe i will bridge my Earthquake 4 ch amp (arround 150 rms x 2) for run the future splits.

Cheers.

i've got metal dome (Focal Utopia's)
and they are not harsh at all.
they aren't EQ'd at all either.
Cyberpunky will back that up, he judged my car at AutoExpo (Sydney)
I find Critter's Morel Hybrid silk domes a little too bright for my taste (but not painfully bright)
again, it's all down to taste, and installation
my tweeters are in teh kicks (which probably helps)
Critters are where his window winders would be, if he had them. (electric)

Thats kinda wierd. I've been listening to my speakers for a long time now...last thing i would call the tweeter is bright...in fact i find it blends very naturally without being in-your-face. The few people who have auditioned my humble setup seem to concur. Probably because my tweets are kick mounted as well?

Focal's are usually the ones which get called bright, not that thats a bad thing of course. Depends on the listener's preferences.

Anyway so far at least, i prefer silk domes. But i think its kinda unfair to judge a tweet based on silk or metal dome. I think there are many harsh silk domes and smooth metal domes. Depends on the manufacturer i guess

Obviously there are no hard and fast rules as every speaker sounds a little different, and considering they are all trying to do exactly the same thing, it means nothing is perfect. Only perfect for your tastes.

Dont write off any type by what others say is better and just listen for yourself, as your ears are the ones you need to like the sound.

peace
Cyberpunky