Horn tweeters V.S. aluminum dome tweeters

[The sound guy]

Which tweeter provides the bigger sweet spot, the horn tweeter or an aluminum dome tweeter?

My local high-end theater equipment store just told me on the phone that horn tweeters have a very narrow listening area, while dome tweeters have a much wider sweet spot. In contrast, I found a few internet articles that say just the opposite . . .

I'm forced to have far from ideal room conditions for my theater set-up (stuck in a corner, but rotated about 30 degrees), so I was wondering which tweeter would provide me with the wider sweet spot, enabling me to accompany more guest seating positions?

Thanks for any and all your help.

The Soung Guy

 

[avaserfi]

Generally the sweet spot will be determined by off-axis response of the tweeter coupled with room interaction. In general horn tweeters have extremely poor off axis response due to limitations of their design. So in most circumstances you would want a typical dome tweeter for a wider sweet spot than a horn tweeter.

As far as room interaction goes a horn tweeter would be perferable if being placed near (1 ft or so) the boundaries in a highly reverberant room otherwise a dome tweeter will likely be what you want.

 

[gus6464]

Aren't ribbon or planar tweeters the ones with the biggest sweet spots?

 

[avaserfi]

Aren't ribbon or planar tweeters the ones with the biggest sweet spots?

The same fundamental concepts apply to these tweeters as well. There are dome tweeters that measure extremely well as there are planar and ribbon tweeters. In the end you would have to really look at each individual tweeter and see how it measures as each type will have poor performers and those that exceed its class.

Nearly any type of tweeter is capable of having an equally wide sweet spot as another. Its up to the engineer who designs them to control dispersion characteristics. The only reason I say nearly is because some designs simply have inherent flaws that could possibly not be overcome with proper design.

 

[peerlesser]

Not all horns have high directivity. There are also constant directivity and tractrix waveguides (which look a bit like horns). The shape of the tweeter is usually dome even if is equipped with waveguide. And the materials does not contribute much to the directicity. Horns and waveguides can be equipped to aluminum tweeters. It is best to check the directivity pattern for off-axis from the datasheet of the driver manufacturer.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

The only horn tweeters that I have experience with are in Klipsch speakers. I find them bright, harsh, and generally unpleasant to listen to.

 

[bandphan]

understanding the coupled material with the horn, and the off axis response is a good way start, ie an aluminum horn tweeter.

father in law had a pair of electrovoice 4 ways w/ horn tweeter from the 60's that seemed to be very accurate

 

[Soundman]

Generally the sweet spot will be determined by off-axis response of the tweeter coupled with room interaction. In general horn tweeters have extremely poor off axis response due to limitations of their design. So in most circumstances you would want a typical dome tweeter for a wider sweet spot than a horn tweeter.

As far as room interaction goes a horn tweeter would be perferable if being placed near (1 ft or so) the boundaries in a highly reverberant room otherwise a dome tweeter will likely be what you want.

I agree. I couldnt have said it better myself.

 

[Soundman]

You may want to also research specific tweeters that are known for their great off-axis response. If a certain brand of speaker is using that tweeter, there's a good chance the off-axis response will be good. For example, av123's Rocket speakers use the ring radiator tweeter, known for good off-axis response. The Rocket's also have great off-axis response b/c of this. ...Just something to look at.

disclaimer: I am in no way endorsing the Rocket brand. It was merely used for illustrative purposes.

 

[avaserfi]

You may want to also research specific tweeters that are known for their great off-axis response. If a certain brand of speaker is using that tweeter, there's a good chance the off-axis response will be good. For example, av123's Rocket speakers use the ring radiator tweeter, known for good off-axis response. The Rocket's also have great off-axis response b/c of this. ...Just something to look at.

disclaimer: I am in no way endorsing the Rocket brand. It was merely used for illustrative purposes.

A speaker that is simply known for its quality off-axis response is not indicative of a speaker that actually has a quality off-axis response. If one is interested in finding a speaker that actually has a quality off axis response the best option would be looking at credible 3rd party measurements.

From the one measurement I have found on a specific model of the Rockets found here* a few posts down. I wouldn't say they qualify for having good off-axis response beyond 15 degrees where there seems to be substantial drop off.

*From what I have observed the user IrritateGuy takes measurements in a manner of sufficient quality.

Also, as I have previously pointed out having a specific design of tweeter does not mean there will be quality off-axis response. Lastly, Each single application must be measured as there are more factors than just tweeter choice that will control dispersion such as baffle compensation.