Exclusive to our Substack subscribers, we host a weekly Q&A every Monday. Our team of veteran writers, reviewers, and editors hand select a few to answer every Friday. Perhaps you’re having trouble with a specific amplifier, or desire a deeper understanding of transmission line speakers, from the general to the specific, post your questions here and come back on Friday to see them answered!
I installed a pair of supertweeters. I can barely hear sound emanating from them (Is that normal?), but the soundstage is easily manipulated by the slightest toe-in (Is this normal?).
Good question: The job of a super tweeter is to add finesse, to add clarity at the highest frequencies.
A super tweeter does not present discrete separate sounds, but instead enables the full envelope of a midrange note (for example) to be more intelligible and emotionally compelling.
When super tweeter output is part of the energy (including harmonic) envelope of a lower frequency note, super tweeter information at frequencies above (say) an older person's hearing can improve intelligibility.
The frequencies involved are very short. Extremely tiny differences in distance relative to the main tweeter can dramatically change the interference pattern between the 2 tweeters. Same for directionality and toe-in.
There are multiple ways that a super tweeter can affect the perceived sound -- sometimes "effect" is a more honest description than "truth".
Some consciously chosen effects are much of the magic of the best audio systems. And, some effects can totally sabotage a great system.
I installed a pair of supertweeters. I can barely hear sound emanating from them (Is that normal?), but the soundstage is easily manipulated by the slightest toe-in (Is this normal?).
Good question: The job of a super tweeter is to add finesse, to add clarity at the highest frequencies.
A super tweeter does not present discrete separate sounds, but instead enables the full envelope of a midrange note (for example) to be more intelligible and emotionally compelling.
When super tweeter output is part of the energy (including harmonic) envelope of a lower frequency note, super tweeter information at frequencies above (say) an older person's hearing can improve intelligibility.
The frequencies involved are very short. Extremely tiny differences in distance relative to the main tweeter can dramatically change the interference pattern between the 2 tweeters. Same for directionality and toe-in.
There are multiple ways that a super tweeter can affect the perceived sound -- sometimes "effect" is a more honest description than "truth".
Some consciously chosen effects are much of the magic of the best audio systems. And, some effects can totally sabotage a great system.
Thank you. Your response describes my responses better than I can. Your time is of high value. Audioquest matters.