Rta 12c tweeter comparison/review
Faustin
Posts: 1,149
I had mentioned in a previous post or two that I would compare 3 different tweeters in the RTA 12c's that I have. I don't consider myself to be an audiophile or an expert in regards to speakers, stereo equipment etc.....I just like listening to music and have been sucked into that long rabbit hole. So, the 12's have had the crossovers rebuilt with Clarity ESA on the high pass, Dayton on the shunts and low pass with Mundorf resistors. Work was done by Dave (Westmassguy). Drivers and passives have had Dynamat applied, and also new gaskets. Hurricane nuts and ss black oxide machine screws have also been installed, The only other "tweaks" are new binding posts and Blackhole 5 to be installed after the cabinets are re-veneered. Anyway, I ran the 12's on an Adcom GTP 500II pre amp and an Adcom GFA 555 amp. I don't spin vinyl anymore but use a Marantz CD5004 cd player. Nothing fancy or exotic.
The 3 tweeters I compared were the American made Peerless (5514 serial number), the Peerless clone from Midwest Speaker, and the RDO-194. I ran the 12's in mono mode with a different tweeter in each speaker and switched back and forth between speakers. I played several different songs that to me, display and use a lot of higher frequency sound. Like flute, cymbals, bells, etc. Some Jethro Tull, Steely Dan etc was used. In my opinion when I compared the Peerless with the Peerless clone, the Peerless sounded better. It sounded more mellow. The clone was detailed but was a bit harsh. As I have gotten older my left ear will actually hurts if the sound is harsh. My wife also listened to the comparison and without knowing which tweeter was which, she said the Peerless sounded better. I then switched the clone with a RDO-194 and compared it to the Peerless. The Peerless was again more mellow than the 194, but the 194 was not as harsh as the clone. The 194 had great detail and sounded good. For me I would say that using the Peerless where and when it can be used is the way to go. If you have no choice, the clone is your next option. The 194 is a great tweeter also and I will use it as a replacement for SL1000, SL2000 etc. Keep in mind this is only my opinion.
The 3 tweeters I compared were the American made Peerless (5514 serial number), the Peerless clone from Midwest Speaker, and the RDO-194. I ran the 12's in mono mode with a different tweeter in each speaker and switched back and forth between speakers. I played several different songs that to me, display and use a lot of higher frequency sound. Like flute, cymbals, bells, etc. Some Jethro Tull, Steely Dan etc was used. In my opinion when I compared the Peerless with the Peerless clone, the Peerless sounded better. It sounded more mellow. The clone was detailed but was a bit harsh. As I have gotten older my left ear will actually hurts if the sound is harsh. My wife also listened to the comparison and without knowing which tweeter was which, she said the Peerless sounded better. I then switched the clone with a RDO-194 and compared it to the Peerless. The Peerless was again more mellow than the 194, but the 194 was not as harsh as the clone. The 194 had great detail and sounded good. For me I would say that using the Peerless where and when it can be used is the way to go. If you have no choice, the clone is your next option. The 194 is a great tweeter also and I will use it as a replacement for SL1000, SL2000 etc. Keep in mind this is only my opinion.
Post edited by Faustin on
Comments
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Thanks. Nice comparison.Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c -
Nice write-up Bruce. Wonder how the Denmark compare to the US made Peerless?Home Theater/2 Channel:
Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer
dhsspeakerservice.com/ -
Nice write up, thanks for posting. I still have the SL1000's that came with my speakers. From what I have read, while they're offensive to a lot of folks, there may have been production changes that make some sound better than others.
I keep trying to talk myself into getting the 194's, but the 1000's aren't offensive. One day . . ."Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer -
westmassguy wrote: »Nice write-up Bruce. Wonder how the Denmark compare to the US made Peerless?
Interesting thought Dave. I will have to give that a listen when I have time. Might try that in the 10's. -
I also have SL1000's in my 12's. I think they sound great. I also have debated getting 194's.Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c -
I also have SL1000's in my 12's. I think they sound great. I also have debated getting 194's.
The 194's sound great. Have to drill a couple of new holes on the mounting board to get them installed.
