Tri-laminate vs Ring-Radiator?

lackboost
lackboost Posts: 49
in Speakers
Just curious, how would any of you who have heard both, say the Polk Tri-lam tweeter (LS series), stacks up against the Ring-Radiator (LSi series)? If the latter is considered the better sounding tweeter, would a simple swap out be possible / advisable as an upgrade?

I am using XT25's in-car and just love their sound...

I am sure it has been pondered...just thinking out loud...thanks!
5.2 Main: X3500h, BDP-103, UBP-X800, M70-C3, XPA-3, XPA-2, NHT VT-2, VS-2, Super Zero Xu, PB-1000 x 2
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Comments

  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,789
    2 different animals. I'm a big fan of the LS series but LSi's with the rings are a definitely a step above.
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,395
    edited July 2015
    I have had the RTA11TL with the original SL-3000 tri-laminate and replaced with the RDO-198 silk dome and I have the LSi15 with the ring radiator. Hands down, the LSi15 images better and sounds more realistic. One thing that I do notice with the ring radiator is inconsistencies when you move off axis. When I am in the sweet spot, it is truly sweet. Move slightly to either side and I feel there is an attenuation in one side or the other. Move a little more and it is sweet again. It is like there are these zones where the phase of each channel compete. I haven't heard this with the dome tweeters.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • lackboost
    lackboost Posts: 49
    skrol wrote: »
    I have had the RTA11TL with the original SL-3000 tri-laminate and replaced with the RDO-198 silk dome and I have the LSi15 with the ring radiator. Hands down, the LSi15 images better and sounds more realistic. One thing that I do notice with the ring radiator is inconsistencies when you move off axis. When I am in the sweet spot, it is truly sweet. Move slightly to either side and I feel there is an attenuation in one side or the other. Move a little more and it is sweet again. It is like there are these zones where the phase of each channel compete. I haven't heard this with the dome tweeters.

    The XT25's are in-car and way on axis (sitting in a-pillar sail panels pointed at opposite b-pillars) so I cannot comment on off axis response. But they are nice to listen to...5.5 hour drives with no fatigue...

    Looking at some Zaph SB 12.3 for garage duty and they have the dimple dome. Similar response from what I have read and understood...

    So would the crossovers need major modifications for this to work? To adapt a ring radiator to the LS series speakers?
    5.2 Main: X3500h, BDP-103, UBP-X800, M70-C3, XPA-3, XPA-2, NHT VT-2, VS-2, Super Zero Xu, PB-1000 x 2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,816
    So would the crossovers need major modifications for this to work? To adapt a ring radiator to the LS series speakers?

    Different speakers, different crossovers and different tweeters, so absolutely yes.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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