Anti diffraction rings (for tweeters)

135

Comments

  • stevep
    stevep Posts: 327
    That's a SL 2500 or SL 3000. Their bezels are molded so that the screw mounts are flush with the rear edge. The RDO tweeters aren't for some reason.
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,635
    VR3 wrote: »
    Inquiries not invoiced yet -

    @xschop RTA8TL (one pair with the tab and one without)
    @honestaquarian 3.1tl (one pair with the tab and one without)
    @JayCee 3.1tl (one pair with the tab and one without)
    @Drumingman (one pair 2.3)
    @gudnoyez (one pair 2.3?)
    @muncybob (2b)

    Not sure if I missed anyone else??

    Send PayPal info. Looking forward to them. Thanks Trey.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    PM sent thanks.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    PM sent
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 16,832
    Trey,

    I will try a set for my 1.2tl's, and CRS+'s

    Let me know cost..
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,635
    From someone that likes to build custom stuff....
    NICE job Trey. These are quality craftsmanship with nice engraving. The angled flap sets @30 degrees like the flimsy plastic piece does.

    IF you have classic Peerless silk dome tweeters, I'd suggest grabbing these....

    oqwpuasalew5.jpg
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,133
    edited March 2021
    Yes thanks so much Trey! Listening now with the grilles back off. I dare say the highs sound a bit smoother. Tamed a certain sensation of harshness. Will have to listen to my full range of material to be more definitive. Using scotch tape loops for the time being.

    ljqph3txtvzq.jpg
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    Glad to hear you guys are enjoying them! 😁
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    Mine showed up today thanks.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • jonicont
    jonicont Posts: 277
    Taking them for a test run kxgele73ifk6.jpeg
    SDA 2BTL, VPI Prime, Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII, Rogue Ares Magnum, McCormack DNA 0.5 Gold, ARC LS-17se, Cambridge cxn v2, MIT AVT MA ic’s and speaker cables, ps audio stellar power plant 3

  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    edited March 2021
    Newest beauties. Excellent work, Trey, and absolutely speedy shipping.
    hm9gnerr96pz.jpg
    Velcro dot placement. I went overkill and secured more points than recommended. I used 4 temp squares of bulky scrap Velcro, centered and between the bezels, before going out to get the dots. Not being flush seemed to mess with the sound stage. Listening impressions to follow.
    oaziivqy4lkf.jpg

    Cross threading here...I really like the newly installed "Rob's Tweeter Bezels", too. I custom pimped them out with a rattle can and the black paint is way more impressive in person. Dare I say it's, "None more black..."
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSkGtW-fQ3s
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    o8qrckmeoi7p.jpg
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,635
    "I see a tweeter and I want it painted black"
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 9,969
    My whole world is black
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    Unlike pluto - everything black feat Mike Taylor

    Pretty good song with good recording quality!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 16,832
    Mine showed up today, look much better in person IMO. We have a big snowstorm heading in not sure when I can get the Velcro dots to try them out..

    Thanks again!!
  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    Must have bought the wrong Velcro. Doesn’t want to stick to the diffraction pads - suggestions?
    "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
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    That is very odd, do you have pics of the velcro or a link?

    Stay safe Larry!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    edited March 2021
    drumminman wrote: »
    Must have bought the wrong Velcro. Doesn’t want to stick to the diffraction pads - suggestions?

    This is what I purchased and it's worked out. Walmart...$2.97 for 20.
    gl2rxh2mqjdx.jpg
    They also have a low profile oval that I almost picked up, and would be more flush, but it's heavy duty and I was afraid it might take off the paint from my newly painted bezels if I decided to move/remove them.

    Edit to add...look at the center install pic I posted on 9 Mar and you can see the grip side (non "fluffy) dots between each tweeter in the array. Attach the fluffy side, mate to the Velcro pair, to the tweeter dot and then align the felt. Push together and work the material; it'll contour, as Trey explained, and help bond the adhesive. I also added a bit of rolled over Scotch tape on the outer edges to ensure there are no gaps.
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    This is what I'm using on mine

    1adrn4a9qsnh.jpeg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    Damn, I have a box of 100 of those, just remembered.
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    edited March 2021
    n377fduoroqs.jpg
    I got these at Menards today and plan on putting the pads on tommorow are you guys using both parts of the velcro pads or just the velcro part to let it attach to the felt diffraction themselves? I can't imagine putting the adhesive side on to the felt diffactors as it probably wont stick.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    You just need to use the hard part of the velcro, I would guess it's the "hook" part of the hook and loop.

    I'm looking forward to everyone's feedback. This was a first run, I know @JayCee has some good thoughts to post

    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • stevep
    stevep Posts: 327
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    We have a big snowstorm heading in not sure when I can get the Velcro dots to try them out..

    It's only a couple of feet, you can slog through that. :)

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    So I designed it where the bolts for the mid woofers have a route so everything sits flush, turned out nice I think

    dajmsuix3k9z.jpg
    xgnm1ca4m0ui.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,635
    I'll take 4ea please.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,964
    Ok, cool. Ill send you a PM!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    edited March 2021
    The past 2 weeks have been very busy for me. Anyone following the thread on @Xschop’s billeted bezel’s will know I replaced my RD0198 OM plastics with his. I noticed an immediate improvement in air, space, detail and believe it’s relevant to understand my baseline. https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2638260#Comment_2638260

    @VR3’s (Trey) felt dispersion pads…I have 1.2tl’s and because of the large real estate the tweeters occupy, believe there’s a lot of surface area that may negatively play w/diffraction. Polk’s original tweeter in the 1.2’s was the SL-3000 and they incorporated a diffraction ring in the design. The replacement RD0198 (and 194) don’t have this. Always assumed it was because of the “better” design but now speculate if it was a cost cutting measure.

    I read Trey’s Focal thread re. experimenting with diffraction pads and thought the SDA’s would benefit. I was the first SDA’er to jump on them and, because I’m naturally a curious and interactive person, became Watson to Trey’s Sherlock skills. Received them earlier this week and now have four good days of listening.

    Trey and I did a lot of PM’ing after my initial install. So, in an effort to get this post out and not have to write more than I need to, I’m going to pull from our PM’s. Keep in mind, this is my experience and my speakers are uber modded. However, I believe it’s relevant as other’s are installing their pads for the first listen. Also, Trey encourages sharing feedback w/everyone.

    First impressions…
    JayCee
    Immediately, the sound stage changed. Moved much more forward F/B vs L/R with L/R moving inward but definitely did not collapse. Bigger (larger) image...think floating head/singer analogy, at first, but now I'm not convinced. Also, much more weight, meat-on-the-bones to the sound. Last point is good!

    Soundstage's not so wide anymore but a bit more natural. I've had to recalibrate my brain w/SDA and, being objective, it's actually better. I love the wide-open spaces that sometimes are not realistic with previous SDA experience. But doing A/B comparison w/the pad's on/off, see where it's more in-line with what a speaker should do. Interestingly, these differences I've also experienced w/cables.

    The detail, even after Rob's plates, is a big change. Details are much more subtle and I'm left wondering if it is delicate....or am I missing something? Also found myself listening at a much higher volume. Lowered the volume and as long as I don't adjust it louder and get used to a certain SPL, lower volume is just as enjoyable.

    I know Gardenstater modified for off-axis. My 1.2's are in a sweet spot and I'm the only one that listens to them. But, off-axis, not a factor for me, may be for someone else.

    As a whole, I absolutely love the change...but can't help wonder if there's room in the design to experiment for an even better outcome? I repeat, I've really stepped back and tried to objectively put aside my bias and "recalibrated" my brain. In that vein, I believe, Trey, you've helped get these closer to negating the faults non-SDA lovers find w/SDA.

    One last caveat. My SDA's are uber modded and I'm a firm believer that small positive changes have a BIG cumulative affect.

    VR3
    Great feedback and oddly similar to what I experienced with the Focals. The focals super cleaned up with the design similar to yours but I lost a bit of flare and air so to speak. The oval cut out I modified gave me the best of both worlds. I also think an oval cut out would help with off axis response as well.

    So, the width of the stage issue can definitely be resolved by enlarging the cut out. If you have a real nice pair of scissors, cut the cut outs to 2.25 h x 3" w and let me know your thoughts. I think this will give you more of the width back without taking away any of the benefits you experienced. I really think the larger singular pad is the answer for these large Polks if someone wanted to try to address diffraction.
    Took Trey’s suggestions and got to work…
    Working on modding the pads. Just made a template and have a really good utility knife to cut. This look good?
    66q76dekw52f.png
    VR3
    That should be close enough. The issue with the round cut out seems to be some horizontal dispersion that is desirable is being adsborbed versus just the undesirable stuff. May not hurt to be a little "rounder".
    JayCee
    6qimgxiil30a.png
    Much better. I've amassed 92 tracks that are on a demo list. All have brief things I key in on. I've moved so much since getting these speakers and have honed down to the following 5 tracks when I redo my system. Always in this order.
    uke1268l02wr.png
    1. Bonnie Raitt: Left/right and center placement. Cymbals/percussion/shimmer in left channel, female voice and drums that muddy if nodes in room, acoustic guitar natural and well defined outside the right speaker.
    2. Cars: Heavily mixed track that has wicked fake echo/space, singer's voice pans across the soundstage and then moves away to deadcenter and deep. Recorded to sound like a church, cave, etc...big hall effect. Tells me in 10 seconds if SDA's off.
    3. Cyndi Lauper and Tony Bennett tracks: Female & male voices, jazz instruments. Placement, realism, percussion, snare drum, clarinet & placement. Voices sound more real the better my system gets. Voices collapse when it's off.
    4. Cheap Trick (CT): Not your average CT. Very synthed spacey soundstage and bass line. Then come in crunchy guitars. Would never guess it's CT.
    5. Dire Straits: If above is GTG, this track is a dream for subtle details, dynamic range and soundstage. Interestingly, after I purchased my MIT S1's from Joe Abrams, he recommended this song. I laughed because I was listening to it when I read his email. I own different mixes on LP, CD and SACD x2. I prefer the CD mix. Saw them in concert the first time they debuted the album.
    Feedback: Space and shimmer I was questioning has returned. First impression is modding wider is not a mistake.
    .......Later
    JayCee
    I've moved on in my demo list and 2 songs had me looking outside and down the hall. Details I've never heard. Honestly, thought it was something around my house. Thanks, again, and I think we're locked in. Good work.
    VR3
    Excellent, yeah that dimension seemed to be perfect for the focal as well. You can post your thoughts on the forum, if anyone wants a new pair with the revised design, I can ship them out or walk them through to alter it! Part of the process!
    As of this morning, here’s the much purdier replacement for the hack job I did on my felts. Trey refined based on my feedback.
    g274lbj2s2i1.png
    The RD0 is clearly a better tweeter, vs SL’s of old, but the new faceplate and felt mods are a welcome fine-tuning and exceed my expectations. The felt brings a balance to the speakers I’ve never heard in SDA’s. The highs are sublime; space and air are the most relaxed and natural I’ve experienced. A secondary improvement is the midrange and bass. Can’t help but believe it’s a result of the cleaned up highs and secondary absorption properties with respect to location and the MW’s. The mids are so well defined. Much cleaner, too. Third improvement is the cumulative effects also lend to low bass and tighten. This is the most balanced and natural I’ve ever heard an SDA. So much so that I mentioned to xschop in a PM…gear & xo mod preference aside, “I'd venture to say, at this point in time, I have some of the best sounding 1.2's on the planet”. All this mod stuff goes to prove Polk designed/sold these speakers based on price point. The design far exceeds the original materials.

    Shameless plug...One of the many reasons I like Trey, met him at Polkfest ’12, is his genuine passion for this Vr3 gig he does. Helped me in the past, really a nice guy and took all the above back-and-forth in stride; gracious and willing to go the extra mile.

    Next chapter….revised replacement's and new ring felts incomming. More to come.
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,133
    edited March 2021
    Cored out the pad for the large protruding screw heads on the Peerless and I'm pretty happy with the way it looks. Imaging is very good also with the 30deg bevel I trimmed them to, both on and off axis. I used 4 little square velcro pads (hook side) and it is holding very nice and flush to tweeter bezel. I still have the little fuzz cylinders where they were cored out and I'll keep them in a ziploc bag. For now I'm leaving them out.
    Now for some more critical listening!

    Edit _ @JayCee Dire Straits "Critical Investigations".......WOW! Super airy and deep deep soundstage. Unfortunately I never heard it before, but still!

    1hlca5qe3ij3.jpg
    Post edited by Gardenstater on
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform