Since I've been using it for 4-5 years, I think I can say a word or two. a magic. As you said, another layer is forming in the air. It's hard to give up after using it once. Especially the string instruments are incredible. My advice to you is don't waste your time with those around you who say that those frequencies cannot be heard and who know everything. Add it to your system and enjoy.
Super video mate. I thought the difference was extremely clear, but then I've used these super tweeters as you know, so I might know where to listen? Anyway seemed obvious to my ears. Great stuff again Kev.
Very interesting video Kevin. I listened 3 or 4 times and I think I could hear a subtle difference. Your theory on how they improve mid and low frequency response sounds feasible to me. Thanks for making such an enjoyable and informative video. 👍
Thanks for watching. Alas the video clip can’t really pickup the effects very well. I could have turned up the ST’s but that would be a very false demo.
An interesting assessment. I like hearing the hf detail in my music. I run a pair of AMT based supertweeters on top of my Neat Motive 3s. These are placed horizontally on a shelf about 2m high. I angled them downwards at about 15 degrees to try to get the tweeters to fire more directly at my ears in the seated position but its not quite enough to get all the detail so I added the tweeters angled down even more and angled in to focus on my head. In contrast to the Townshends they kick in at about 4k and have a very noticeable output. I am aware of the likely comb filtering effect but in practice they work. I am now contemplating the Townshends as after migrating from Spotify to Tidal I can now sometimes hear sibilance that was not there before so maybe a tweeter upgrade is in order. I also use a BK Ekectronics XXL 200 df sub which has completely transformed the sound. Without it the sound is very insipid. It is true that subs need a lot of tweaking to integrate well. I also have an office system using Spendor SA1s as desktop monitors with a similar sub and tweeters. I recently ran the SA1s without the sub and it was just awful. No body at all to the music and little hf without the tweeters but altogether its absolute bliss to hear.
I believe an integration of any supertweeter with the original system tweeter may be a way more challenging than integration of a subwoofer. The problem is in the very short sound wave lengths at hight frequencies. Those waves sum up unevenly and due to interference may cause huge frequency responce irregularities. Danni Richi with GR-Research shows that in details in his RU-vid video about supertweeters.
Have used the Townshend Superteeters for many years and I love them. Definitely add more air and width in the soundstage. A little tricky to get the phase correct. And less is more. I use them at level 2 . Any higher and they are "noticeable" in my system. Highly recommended!
Congratulations with your new tweeters. I have a personal favorite theory of why super tweeters can improve the sound and it has nothing to do with extending the frequency range above what we can hear. If I am right it’s about improving the speakers dispersion. If we look at the frequency response displayed in your video and ignore the response above 20 kHz then it’s clear that the Townshend run along Spendors tweeters from roughly 8-10 kHz and up. Being substantially narrower than the Spendor tweeters obviously means that it will disperse anything above 8 kHz way better. If one looks at the loudspeaker measurements taken by John Atkinson for Stereophile it becomes blatantly clear that the dispersion above 8 kHz is almost non exciting for speakers with forward facing 1 inch drivers. I believe the Townhend tweeter to be maybe a half inch wide (?) in that case it’s going to spread its wings (sorry sounds) an octave higher or 16 kHz. For that extra bit of perceived high end openness and air. Enjoy!
Interesting stuff. Generally I'm pretty happy with the treble from my Classic 3/1. Particularly if the recording is a bit bright or edgy! There's lots of detail there, they sound pretty open, and it's forgiving too. By comparison, something like the ATC SCM11 is similarly detailed, but is definitely a bit more incisive and challenging on poorly recorded material. Always a compromise I guess. That said, on 'darker' tracks, I would be intrigued to hear what some super tweeters may add. By the sounds of your review though, it seems like they benefit across the board, regardless of music choice.
I think your 3/1’s might have slightly better tonal balance than mine being a smaller driver to the same tweeters. The super tweeters definitely are missed when not in use.
Hi. Just watched your video on the Townsend Maximum Super Tweeters. Thanks. Question: Do you think adding the Super Tweeters will be of benefit to my Spendor 4/5? Cheers Corey
Hi Kevin, what’s the vinyl front end that you’re using there please? I found I could clearly hear the difference with the Townshend super tweeter in place. Thanks for posting this interesting video.
I wonder what they would be like if they are turn around placed on the back of the speaker pointing to the wall and turned up. or actually fix them to the back of speak and pointing vertically up adjusting your elevation from the top of the cabinet. give it a go! also changing phase pointing backwards. can you adjust frequency or just intensity
I’ve already tried switching polarity.. My initial thoughts were to run out of phase as the Spendor HF design is also out of phase. It wasn’t as effective and collapsed the sound stage/lost depth.
@@dittonworks that sounds more like comb filtering issue, have you tried setting then back a bit and possibly tilting them up at the back with a bit of blu tack. alignment has to be in 0.8 of a mm to eliminate comb filtering, try moving them back till the level with plate/baffle of the tweeter. and then further back 1mm to 2.5 mm. where do they kick in at 15k?
May I make a suggestion on listening material try an album by john Martyn (the church with one bell ) good vocals nice drum work & surprisingly good bass.👍
The Townshend Supertweeters are very expensive but physically they look unintrusive. Aperion Audio makes more affordable supertweeters (ranging from 300 to 1000 Euro) but they are hard not to see. That and the issue of comb filtering are the reasons why I never tried supertweeters.
