Tame those metal dome tweeters
I read a post here on CP that you can quiet the tweeters by splicing in an inline resistor to one of the speakers leads.I don't know if it matters which lead + or - and I'm wondering how big a resistor can be used eg (1,2,3,4,5,ohms or more?) I don't know electronics so any advice would be much appreciated.
Post edited by rubin on
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You can "pad down" a tweeter by installing a resistor between the positive binding post and crossover. Adding one elsewhere in the crossover may cause issues."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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You can "pad down" a tweeter by installing a resistor between the positive binding post and crossover. Adding one elsewhere in the crossover may cause issues.
So I can just cut the + wire at the tweeter and splice it in ,correct? How much resistance can I use? -
Have you tried adjusting the treble?
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Start with .5-1ohm.So I can just cut the + wire at the tweeter and splice it in ,correct? How much resistance can I use?
Why add distortion?Have you tried adjusting the treble?"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
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I had a brain ****.
You have to examine the crossover in question first. Is the first component in the tweeter crossover a resistor? If so, two resistors in series do not sum together, in fact it would lower the circuit's resistance. If this is the case, then you should replace the first series resistor with one slightly larger.
If the first item is a cap, then no worries."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Now u got me worried.There are 2 x over boards,one for the bass drivers, one for the mid/tweeter.Too complicated for me to answer your question.Anyway if I do the splice and resistance is reduced will the tweeter be damaged?I had a brain ****.
You have to examine the crossover in question first. Is the first component in the tweeter crossover a resistor? If so, two resistors in series do not sum together, in fact it would lower the circuit's resistance. If this is the case, then you should replace the first series resistor with one slightly larger.
If the first item is a cap, then no worries. -
As a simple experiment, hook the resistor up on the outside of the cabinet first, between the + speaker wire and binding post.
Just raise the volume slowly and you'll be fine."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
As a simple experiment, hook the resistor up on the outside of the cabinet first, between the + speaker wire and binding post.
Just raise the volume slowly and you'll be fine.
Ok thanks I'll get back to ya with the results. -
Just curious, what speakers are they?
If they're SDA's/Monitors, why not switch over to the RD0 replacements?
For other speakers, upgrading the tweeter cap(s) may also fix your problem.
Let us know how you make out."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Did you say they are metal dome tweeters? What equipment are you using with the speakers?
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Did you say they are metal dome tweeters? What equipment are you using with the speakers?
A pair of nad 272 amps and a jolida tube pre -
Just curious, what speakers are they?
If they're SDA's/Monitors, why not switch over to the RD0 replacements?
For other speakers, upgrading the tweeter cap(s) may also fix your problem.
Let us know how you make out.
Paradigm 100 v2,so far after trying a variety of resistor values I like what 4.7 ohms did.10 ohms made them sound CHEAP! no life.I'll try more later and post the results.These resistors are labled 1/4 watt 5% carbon. -
Those are signal path resistors, not speaker level. You want a resistor with a rating of at least 5 watts."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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those are signal path resistors, not speaker level. You want a resistor with a rating of at least 5 watts.
crap!!! Ok so what will happen.Will they just burn up? -
Yes."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Those Paradigm tweets are notorious for sounding bright.You can try a Zobel circuit (small cap in series with a resisto) combo across the +- terminals of the tweet to tame that elevated top octave.The DC resistance of the tweeter would be needed to get starting values to start experimenting with.If you have a multi meter you can measure the DCR of the tweeter.Paradigm 100 v2,so far after trying a variety of resistor values I like what 4.7 ohms did.10 ohms made them sound CHEAP! no life.I'll try more later and post the results.These resistors are labled 1/4 watt 5% carbon.Testing
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Those Paradigm tweets are notorious for sounding bright.You can try a Zobel circuit (small cap in series with a resisto) combo across the +- terminals of the tweet to tame that elevated top octave.The DC resistance of the tweeter would be needed to get starting values to start experimenting with.If you have a multi meter you can measure the DCR of the tweeter.
Sounds interesting but I"m not an electronics guy. Just doing this resistor splicing was a big deal for me!I improved nothing and cut a wire to top it off. Disapointed!!!!! -
Haha this thread reminds me of someone. :rolleyes:
Honestly, if the speakers dont sound good to you, sell them. Use the money and buy some that you dig. I dont believe you're gonna get too far snipping wires and throwing resistor's or cap's here and there. Plus you may kill the value of the speakers tinkering too much, and thats never good.
DaveOnce again we meet at last. -
Modding them requires a basic level of technical ability,lacking that then it might be better to leave them well enough alone so that you don't make things worse instead of better.As Poee7R mentions above you might look at flipping them for somthing more suited to your listening tastes.Sounds interesting but I"m not an electronics guy. Just doing this resistor splicing was a big deal for me!I improved nothing and cut a wire to top it off. Disapointed!!!!!Testing
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after trying a variety of resistor values I like what 4.7 ohms did.10 ohms made them sound CHEAP!
Those values are quite large. Face suggested starting with .5 to 1.0 ohm resistors and I agree.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 -
I think these speakers have a good rep,I simply no longer like a crisp,clear,clean sound.I actually prefer a lack of detail (grunge?).To some people thats the worst kind of sound to have.
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Paradigm engineer some excellent speakers but the series with that particular tweeter have a rep of sounding abit analytically and bright,thus requiring careful system matching and benifit from a well damped(acoustically) room.Testing
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Time to sell them and move on to something with a silk dome tweeter."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Time to sell them and move on to something with a silk dome tweeter.
Your right,The irony is I still have the origional paradigm 9 se speakers(bought in 1983) which are a 2 way with 2 8" drivers and a 1" SOFT DOME TWEETER!!! I bought these... 100"s... because all the reviews said they were so good.At first I liked them a lot but I guess my ears have changed.The 9"s only have 1 set of terminals though. -
I remember them from my retail days. We sold a sh^t load of 3's,7s' and 9's and NAD's to drive'm.Those were early days for Paradigm and those models really got them established.That tweeter had a polymide dome and was sourced from Vifa.,The irony is I still have the origional paradigm 9 se speakers(bought in 1983) which are a 2 way with 2 8" drivers and a 1" SOFT DOME TWEETER!!!Testing
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The room is quite dead 25'x14'x7' full carpet 2 large sofas and LZ boy chair only one window(basement)Wood plywood sub floor.Maybe I could get some acoustic panels or maybe put some kind of damping material in front of the tweeters?
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Yes to the acoustic panels.As I mentioned they will likely work better if the room is on the dead side.A bright speaker and lively room does not a good marriage make.The room is quite dead 25'x14'x7' full carpet 2 large sofas and LZ boy chair only one window(basement)Wood plywood sub floor.Maybe I could get some acoustic panels....
Edit.I should add that placing something other than grille cloth in front of the tweeters will cause more problems than it will cure.Testing
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Yes to the acoustic panels.As I mentioned they will likely work better if the room is on the dead side.A bright speaker and lively room does not a good marriage make.
So you know about those early speakers.I thought the 100"s would have blown them into outer space. -
Yes to the acoustic panels.As I mentioned they will likely work better if the room is on the dead side.A bright speaker and lively room does not a good marriage make.
Edit.I should add that placing something other than grille cloth in front of the tweeters will cause more problems than it will cure.
What type of problems?
