One of the best upgrades for your system, the Aperion super tweeter 

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i fully agree with you. In the past one year, I bought Emotosound beryllium supertweeter, Aperion Ribbon supertweeter, Fortex T90, Fortex T96, Realistic, and added to my Vandersteen Model 2, Usher Compass, Yamaha NS1000M, ESS AMT Monitor, and ESS AMT-1. The top end sparkles. I am 63 and probably my hearing on the high frequencies has deteriorated, so adding super tweeters add more life to the music. I think it is necessary to try different super tweeters to mix and match what is best on your speakers. They all sound different, so it is best to try different brands/models to see what match best with your speakers. Super tweeters are now permanent fixtures on my speakers.

Great insight, thank you for sharing your findings. I ordered a pair of the entry level Aperions only last week . Waiting for them to come in so watching your review has given me solid hope as I have never experianced super tweeters before. Thank you again.

It’s a great idea, and the concept has been around for a long time. In the early 1970’s I had a pair of Dynaco A25’s attached to a Pioneer SX-727. I loved that system but it could have used a bit more sparkle on top so at some point I got a pair of Microstatics from Micro/Acoustics Corp. Each was an array of 4 tweeters in a small angled enclosure. It sat on top of the A25’s and I could point it in any direction to tune the sound. Fun! Great video Thomas!

Super tweeter is the last thing most systems need. Especially funny to see one on top of a system with a beryllium tweeter. Also adding a dipole on top of a monopole - another brilliant suggestion.

I love the high end like many love the low sound of a subwoofer. Can't wait to get this. Thank you for another great video.

IMHO, you are minimizing the challenges of integrating a super tweeter into an existing system. From what I know, you usually do not want to have it firing forward due to comb filtering effects. Usually, the super tweeter is back firing or upward firing. The dipole super tweeter is interesting, but I do not see how it avoids comb filtering. Integrating a sub is MUCH less problematic. Very often, the bass placement for a sub is not where the speakers are positioned. With a sub, you can move the sub around to the place in the room where it works the best. Personally, I prefer dual subs as this can better address room modes. The other issued mentioned by others is cost. A good super tweeter is costly just as subs can be costly. People should keep in mind that super tweeters mostly operate outside of human hearing range. We experience this range as “airy-ness.” In 2 channel sound, the majority of music does not go below 40hz. So depending on your musical tastes, a sub may not be needed. Finally, before going down this path, I would ask if you are happy with your existing speakers. Maybe what you want is a new pair of speakers that better address your sonic needs as opposed to putting bandaids on speakers that no longer suit your needs.

I've had Aperion Super-tweeters for years now. Love 'em! The really help augment soft-dome tweeters on certain speakers. They really help them to shine. Great video; I am really happy to see someone talk about this. :)

I own the Aperion super tweeter. I combine them with Dynaudio special 40, sub Kef Kc 62....Hegel H300 amp. This combo is a musical experience that exceeds my expectations....

It's funny that this video came out the day I received my midlevel Aperion Super Tweeters. I'm a super fan of the super tweeter. I tested first with a pair of inexpensive radio shack super tweeters to see if it would make a difference then decided to go with the Aperion. Thomas said the exact thing that I felt, 1st MORE bass! It's crazy how tight my bass sounds. 2nd sweet highs and dreamy air/soundstage. I'm a little sensitive so I point mine a few degrees toward the ceiling. Cannot speak about newer speakers but I think that these would make most vintage speakers that tend to sound a little wooly sound much, much better. I run a pair of Bozak B302As. Thanks Thomas !!!

The problem with Super tweeters is placements and phase-coherency. Where a subwoofer improves the sounds by placement, a super tweeter does not have this advantage. Moreover, if you have a good pair of speakers, you don't need the super tweeter because the upper frequencies are already taken care off. So I think they have their place, but not to the point where a subwoofer can always bring improvement to the sound.

I have a pair on order. Looking forward to hearing them!

Agree. Super tweeters are amazing. Learned this from a set of vintage RTR Magnum 12 speakers years ago. Have good results with XO's at 20khz (2nd order) and 23khz (1st order) on two sets of DIY speakers. I use pro drivers for the super tweeters for about $60 a pair + $30 for XO parts.

I do similar setup, to a pair of Klipsch RF3-2, I added a pair of Infinity Qe with its EMT famous tweeter or a pair of Philips MCD700 with its nice ribbon tweeters. It adds sparkle to the Klipsch and its sound stage. It isn't the best match but I can see where the Aperion super tweeter with all the adjustments available comes in on the cheap. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for your review Thomas. I have heard of them but couldn't remember the product name till now. Yay I can't wait to hear them with my Wharfedale Lintons! Happy New Year to you!

Thanks thomas , Happy new year🎉🎉

Hi Thomas, happy new year. Interesting those super tweeters. I see it as a blast from the past. This is how it used to go for audiophiles from the 60's, you buy your speaker with full range driver. And then you would save some more money at which point you could buy a super tweeter. It seems we have come a full 360 degrees, or have we done a 180 degrees U turn? Any way, if anything, it can be entertaining and certainly educational to play with a super tweeter. You could do much worse with your upgrade money.

For years I'm craving for elac Pi supertweters but way to expensive. Very happy with this review . I live in the Netherlands and can order a pair Germany for 999 euro 😊

What a wonderful review, very comprehensive and really gives me an idea of what to expect with them. I've been eyeing these for a while, just not sure how best to integrate them with my dipole planar magnetic speakers-entry are also planar but single sided. Top ones are 'Dual AMT', is that dipole or bipole (back driver in phase or out of phase with front driver)? Wonder if you had any experience with the sound changing if you positioned the supertweeters closer or further from the front baffle of the speaker-different phase relationship?

A sub makes sense since the wave lengths are meters long and you can place it anywhere. A super tweeter produces very short wave lengths. It would need to be placed less than an inch from the the speakers tweeter or else you get comb filtering.

I have a a pair of Supertweeters that ive used on multiple different pairs of speakers, Ive found them to make even average speakers to sound like much more expensive ones.. They are awesome for people who are becoming tired of their old speakers and want a bit of a lift.

Interesting recommendation. Thanks for sharing.

Agree with you on enjoying high frequecies, my current system uses silk dome tweeters and I would consider adding or changing the tweeters if I can properly integrate them.

Super tweeters high in the door near the glass in my old honda really improved it's sound. Car speakers are often placed low in the front door so your ears are our of the tweeters dispersion pattern.

There´s a difference between Subs and these add-on tweeters: Subs are to extend(!) the lower frequencies many (also high-end) speakers are not capable of reproducing loud enough in the room. Those tweeters add /overlay signal to the already existing tweeter signals to add more "sparkle", "air". etc. If you would extend existing tweeter range, you won´t hear or recognize anything. An EQ would be a better solution as you would not have a second tweeter source that produces phase shifts. Could be a solution for broadbandspeaker systems or similar.

I've always used external JBL 077 crystal slot tweeters as super tweeters. These aperion supers tweeters have peaked my interest.

Excellent Thomas...I've had Aperion Audio MKII Planar-Magnetic's on top of my RSL CG5's for a few years...never occurred to me to face them backwards !! Really gave a nice effect. Thank you for the suggestion !!

Great video, I’ve been thinking about trying them for awhile now. What about blowing them from not being able to handle power.

Great video. Two things I like to add. Cabling to ST matters. Experiment with ST placement matters also.

This reminds me of when RadioShack was selling a super tweeter back in the 80s and 90s

I added these to my Wharfedale EVO 4.4, that have a gorgeous mid/high end, but slightly veiled. These were night and day difference! Easy to incorporate with a little work. Good video, but would have liked a bit more detail on the actual tweeters...

Always wanted to try the Aperion super tweeters in my system. Thanx for the review.

I brought 2 pairs of the AMT Dual Firing Super Tweeters for my home theater last week, by far the best upgrade I have ever made. I am in Australia and when the company I brought them from re-stock I will buy a third pair, they are that good.

After 23 years, in 2023 I bought thin-film AMT ribbon tweeter speaker GoldenEar BRX and I love them so much that I bought a 3rd one as the center speaker for the home teater. source=Apple Music lossless

Hey Thomas, Once again, thanks for the brilliant review. as you know, I love my Galion TS120 and My speakers are Totem Signature One with a pair of JL e-110 subs. My gut is to go with the top of the line Aperion DST Dual. That said, you noted that the RST mid level unit performed better with some systems. do you have a line of sight into which unit might work best with my system. Many thanks, Derrick

I remember super tweeters being popular back in the 90's and early 2000's. I wonder why they fell off in popularity.

Happy New Year!! =) I'd travel to Montreal for a audio weekend =)

Very important to note that the super tweeters must be matched with appropriately sensitive speakers published by Aperion. They may end up too bright in less sensitive systrms.

I bought a very nice pair of Aperion ST like the red ones shown here for my Polk LSIM 705s. It helped a lot. I don't think you need to spend several hundred on a pair of ST though. For what they do, a much more affordable pair can get you that much needed 8k + frequency.

I am 62 & can still hear 17 Khrz. I know most can not hear much above that so what I might call it instead of audio hearing I would suggest its etheric feeling, a magnetic infuence entering into the aura field & as such I agree is pleasant & beneficial. I built a pair of speakers years ago & drilled a hole on top for a added Pizo tweeter for Cymbals & high hat sound reproduction. I got many compliments on those Rebuilt Technics cabinets for there sound.

Hi Thomas! EXCELLENT work on the video! I have a pair of the Aperion Audio MKII Aluminum Ribbon Super Tweeters connected to a pair of their Verus III Grand V5B speakers. I have them connected via the top pair of five way binding posts. Set to 0dB 8kHz. They integrate seamlessly with the speakers. From my listening position they sound as if they are part of the speaker. I stream a lot of high resolution Jazz from Qobuz. The super tweeters really open up the top end and add detail. I also get some great vertical extension. I do use a sub to give the give the bottom end a boost. The subwoofer also blends seamlessly into the system. Have a GREAT one! 😎

Happy New Year Thomas! Great info, I recently had that CTJM with subs. Stereo pair is next level! Sounds as though it the same for highs with these. 🙏✌️

For your dream speaker you need great base like from a fast and controlled 12'' maybe augmentet by an even faster LEMIM, fast and transparent mids like from an EMIM and a super tweeter like an EMIT - in other words you are in need of an 26 year old Infinity IRS Epsilon :-)... Happy new years everyone!

You all got to know that Thomas loves the top end ✨️ And a soundstage thats open and Airy ! Thanks Thomas HiFi is all about having fun and trying new things ! Remember the best tool you can have in your Audiophile tool bag is having an open mind ! The #1 thing i learned from Thomas 5 years ago !!

I have a pair there very handy with some speakers

As I get older now 74 I start to miss the speech and other high tones on movies and TV and music. So for us oldsters a great tweeter opens up the world like it was in our 20s.

Makes me want to get these and a pair of Lintons

Yep, I gave these a serious look about a year or two ago. Looked really tempting. But, I just felt that adding these to my tall multi-driver open baffle line arrays (already dipole) with 13 drivers a side already (1 ribbon tweeter) would somehow sound 'artificial'... And, NO! I do not do tone controls, sorry Mr.Thomas. Nothing unnecessary in the signal chain... But... like the speakers you mentioned, IF the top end of one's speaker is indeed rolled off, yes, then these would indeed be handy. These strike me as something to 'FIX' someone's system. FWIW, on my system the sound sample with the super tweeters to me sounded a bit artificially boosted, the sample without sounded more 'natural' to me. But, like you said, if someone's speakers are a bit dark (or kinc of closed in sounding - as opposed to an open baffle dipole system) then yes, I can see how these would 'help'

I just upgraded my Processor and went with Monoblocks. Next Christmas these are in my upgrade list!! ❤

Hi Thomas. Nice video. Any thoughts on whether Klipsch horn speakers (Forte) would benefit from Adding súper tweeters?

In my system, the benefits can only be heard to listeners in the sweet spot. Makes my rig sounds great on both Mozart string quartets and death metal.

It made a difference

Interesting topic and thank you Thomas for covering it. In addition to the potential negatives that you covered, I believe another one (i.e., the elephant in the room) could be listening fatigue. Absolutely no one is worried about listening fatigue when adding a subwoofer into their system, but the same can't be said about a bright tweeter let alone a super tweeter. With that said, I can absolutely appreciate all the benefits of adding a pair to my system, and will keep this option in mind. For now, new SS amp monoblocs paired to a high end tube preamplifier is on my wish list.

I've had a pair of Aperion Audio PST Planar Magnetic Flat Ribbon Super Tweeters MKII since April of 2020. I use them to fill in the treble above 10 kHz on my Caintuck Audio Betsy single full range driver Open Baffle speakers which have a dip at about 12 kHz and start rolling off above about 16 kHz. They work great for my application. It took a bit of tweaking to find the right placement and orientation, gain level, and crossover frequency. Getting those parameters wrong made the super tweeters either do nothing audible to me or made the treble harsh. Getting those parameters right produced more extended sweet high frequency response than the Betsy open baffles could produce alone, even with equalization.

Damn it Thomas, you called me out directly- S400 mk1 owner. I’ve thought about adding super tweeters in the past as I’d like more top end and air. But at these prices (relative to cost of my speakers) I struggle with the thought that maybe a better investment to just get new/different speakers.

Happy New Year Thomas. 🎉 Can bring Focal Utopia headphones is anyone wants to listen if you make a get together.

That’s a great idea for speakers that are too warm or rolled off. They may look a little odd sitting on top of your speakers but if it sounds better then who cares. Are there any phase issues with the acoustic Centre’s further apart? Thanks Thomas,and happy new year 🎉🥳

Omg this looks like exactly what i need for my Q Acoustics Concept 500! I like everything they do, but just missing some air and sparkle at the top. Seems like these Aperions can fix that, but what model should i choose? Room is treated, with absorbers at points of first reflections.

I have electrostatic ML and adding a super tweet is a must 👌🏻 Beston RT002A-Dipolar Ribbon Tweeter

Hi thomas. I have a pioneer s3 ex. Can adding a supper tweeter to it can fix the high frequency details and dark sound characteristics? If it can, what is the crossover point? And i have to point them on axis the listener? Or off axis. Thanks in advance

I use full range drivers with super tweeters for the mids and highs. I have an array of 4 subwoofers distributed asymmetrically . I cross at 50htz. That's my approach. I'm happy.

I don’t like the way they look, but I wonder would you get any benefits if countersunk into the top of a tower speaker pointing upwards, or would this not sound good? Thanks!

In a similar vein, you see hybrid powered flagship speakers where the woofers are powered. In less expensive (non flagship) models, speakers tend to be fully powered or passive. The benefit of this kind of hybrid are clear: you can add power where it is needed to get the most out of your woofers. Why hasn’t this filtered down to more of the less expensive models, at least the larger stand mount speakers or floor standing towers? I just don’t see cost as a viable reason, at least for mid-range (in terms of price) speakers. Decent plate amps are just not that expensive today.

So instead to tweak the sound with an EQ to your liking, you change or add drivers to your liking ? As long the speaker can range between 16hz-20khz I found that for example the Pioneer DEH 50 PRS can tweak any speaker to sound good just with it¨s built in noise calibration

I hear that this also works on surround sound systems. I have one that uses a set of satellite speakers. Would you recommend a super tweeter for such a setup and if so, how would you connect this? Would you just connect it to the center?

I see you have the Aperion Audio V8T tower in this video, please review that!!! Way more interesting than then super tweeter

Another great video Thomas! The demo is effective too...there is a noticeable differentiation between the two.

This is my first time hearing of super tweeters, I may try them out, but not sure I’d be able to hook them up to my newest system, which is very simple, Kef LSX II and a Kube 8B.

Cool review. Definitely hear more detail on demo track even though my hearing dies at 11k. I like the crossover to dial it in. I could add that it would be useful to measure distance from ear to tweeter and match to your existing tweeter. I use a laser measure to time align drivers as a starting point then finish by ear.

Whenever you read Harry Pearson's review between the lines; he "gravitates" toward speakers that go beyond 20,000kh. A prime example is the Murata tweeter from Japan. indeed, there was a paper published in Japan stating the advantages of going ultra-sonic in stage presentation. Thus, this is not just for dogs!

I spent a couple of hours with Max Townshend at his home one evening in 2001, maybe 2002 (picking up my Rock II after some attention) listening to his home system - LP, SACD, DVD-A and CD (on a Rock Reference TT and his customised Pioneer 747 disc player respectively). The Maximum Supertweeters (LoL!) left me perplexed - Max switched them in and out a couple of times and the change in the music really wasn't subtle. I had Max play them back alone, at a volume setting that would have had the police round if the (development) Glastonburys had been in, and from my listening position on the other side of the room I could _just, maybe_ hear something like a pair of earbuds might sound from that distance. One of the A/B's was a jazz ensemble and I really did hear a more realistic stand-up bass, more snap and attack and hence _weight_ to it. Psycho-acoustics.

I wonder if the super tweeter add on to a center channel would add clarity and intelligibility? May be tough to integrate

Wow, this is new! Thanks for the great information!

Thanks for this reminder Thomas, happy new year!

Hi Thomas need your advice. In your opinion, which one of these supertweeters would work with say one of the Lii Audio F15 or Fast 15 or similar , in an open baffle setup? Thanks.

Thanks for the promo code for saving$. Cymbals, piano and harmonica sound better on my wharfedale evo 4.4 speakers with the Aperion planar super tweeter!

Well its the old problem like with sub units, to get all units (Sub/s and Super Tweeters) working with each other correctly one need to be running with an active crossover, its simply the way it is.

I highly (pun intended) doubt I need this for the Infinity 8 Kappas with dual ribbons. However for the Magnepan LRS I like the idea with the dipole one.

I would add one more observation: few speaker OEMs use super tweeters in their designs and I think that is for good reason. If this was such a great upgrade, you would see a super tweeter in far more speakers. For sub woofers, you do not see OEMs offering subs as part of a speaker aside from sub sat systems. HOWEVER, there is a trend in 3-way systems to have the woofer be powered. You are also seeing hybrid systems where the tweeter and mid might be OB, but the woofer sealed or ported and powered. For larger systems in the midrange to upper end price range, I see that as a growing trend.

Well when pointing it back important to get alignment there, moving it forwards and backwards on the cabinet, maybe try it at the back edge of the cabinet. have you tried it on its side so it's working in the vertical more than the horizontal would be a better approach being a ribbon

What would you recommend for someone with a wharfdale speaker where it has bass and treble but lacking in the midrange?

I just love super tweeters, especially when I'm using 44.1kHz digital material and just because microphones rarely pick up anything over 20kHz.

Hope those cables were heavy enough :-) It would be nice if the top half (the driver) could swivel so the terminals could stay in the back. We always want more don't we? Can you comment on how the different models compare? Thanks!

I have a feeling as the new trend direction of these speaker driver will be break down into modules instead of a combo meal.

Well said Thomas. Lovely review. 😊😊😊

Anyone know the minimum distance to the front behind the speakers? And does the space need to be treated? Thinking about DIY OJAs speakers with this supper tweeter instead of the horn upgrade…

Adding a super tweeter reminds me of the Dali Kores which uses a dome tweeter combined with a ribbon tweeter which makes it a very super detailed and revealing speaker but at around 70K I can never afford it.

I'd be interested in attending your get together. Looking forward to it.

How do you think the DST would pair with Magnepan 1.7's that are paired with Rel T/5x's? The tweeters would be quite high if placed on top. Would that cause timing issues? Would mounting them half way down the speaker ( either inside or outside ) help? Would the wiring cause issues with Rel's weird wiring? Would a Maggie actually benefit?

I was struggling to integrate AMT model with my speakers. Then I reversed polarity - switching black and red speaker cables. It made a huge difference. Aperion AMT tweeters now nicely blend with my main speakers. Siblings are reduced making whole sistem enjoyable for long listening sessions while keeping detail and glare on top. Thomas, can you please explain the effect or if it even wise to do something like that? Thank you for the great video.

My horn speakers have supertweeters as an optional extra. They sound super special because of them ❤

For me, the general idea has been; if I need more high frequency (tweeting ….) in my hifi system ==> get better speakers 🧐🧐

Off topic. Donyou still own the Polk Lsim tower speakers? I can buy a pair of 707 for $1100 perfect shape. Would you say they are a step up over the Focal Aria 926 sound wise?

Save your money. Just get a pair of small speakers and wire them in parallel to your stereo pair (amp permitting). Place the small speakers at your feet pointed towards your ears. In this configuration the sound stage opens up, and the individual components of the sound can be better unpacked including the highs. The small speakers should be around 1/10th the watt rating of the main stereo pair and barely audible when listening. Your hearing works on ~30 millisecond buffer so the sound from both the large and small speakers gets interpreted and resolved together as one. The Haas effect is at play as there is a slight difference in when the sound hits the ear from the small and main speakers. Our ears resolve the direction from the first sound the distance from the second. This configuration is particularly useful when it is not possible to position the main speakers 3 feet from the wall or with less impressive gear. Alternatively get a decent DSP which includes harmonic excitation and stage effects to make the most out of any setup.

I have the quad s2. Would these fit in with my system?

I‘m now 50 years old and sadly only can hear up to 10kHz. Because of that i now prefer more analytic, clear Loudspeakers, like the Monitor Audio Silver 100 that are to hard, bright for the most listeners. I really would like to hear those super Tweeters.

Thomas, have you seen a RU-vid video by Danny Richi (GR-Research) on the topic of adding supertweeters? It seems like if not used carefully supertweeters may do more harm than good.

Any thoughts about integrating a super tweeter with a small Magnepan (LRS+, .7)?

Hello I have the intention to buy a new preamplifier and I can't decide between Ladder Bach and Topping pre 90 I know you have had many preamplifiers on test and I would like to know which one you would choose between these two.

Decca used to make a REAL ribbon tweeter. Went good with the old Quads.