The B&W diamond tweeter is fragile material that can literally shatter if something hits it unlike a aluminum dome that will dent.
Diamond vs Aluminum tweeters for B&W 800 series
Anyone swapped their Diamond tweeter for the Aluminum?
I want to know if anyone heard both to tell us the real difference.
I have a shattered tweeter on my 803 D2 and having difficulty on buying new ones.
Diamond is rated aprox. 900usd each. Aluminum you can find around 450usd the pair.
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oh yeah, there’s some Beryllium tweeters out there, that is my preferred cartridge cantilever material, lightest/stiffest .... I just acquired 2 vintage used and 1 NOS, but don’t look at beryllium when thinking unhappy thoughts, it shatters easily, I broke my original Shure V15VxMR’s beryllium cantilever, dropped it 1". Unhappy thoughts came fast. Theory: I believe in matched sets, keeping a working spare. I’m 76, ears far from normal, so it’s more ’good practice’ than needed but who knows when current stock is slightly different, or testing methods slightly different. |
It's a long shot, but before buying anything I would contact Bill at Millersound. He is a premier speaker repair person. All he can say is he doesn't repair diamond tweeters. He does list B&W as a brand they do service. From experience I will mention his repair quality and prices are unbelievable. Millersound Speaker Refoaming, Speaker Reconing and Repair Services |
OP, I wasn’t paying enough attention. I just saw the prices you mentioned, I would not personally spend that unless I had young ears and could readily tell the difference. Hasn’t anybody found a nice SEAS or SCANSPEAK, MOREL, DYNAUDIO, FOCAL VIFA something that costs a heck of a lot less and sounds darn good. You could use my favorite test tools and see what the working diamond one is giving you at the listening position, (and learn a lot more about them and your space). I could help you find a used copy of this CD with 29 1/3 octave test tones you need a hole for tripod mount on the bottom of the spl meter to set it at seated ear level make a chart, see what you are getting now, later see what your replacement’s are producing. //////////////////////////////////////// My JSE Model II’s: The Dynaudio D21 tweeter’s were famous for burning out, and a variety of alternates were eventually touted by the original maker, owners, advice from Madisound, Parts Express ..., 2 of my friends have 3 pairs, 3 different tweeters, crossovers messed with ... they now say they would stick with the lower price, they truly cannot hear any difference except when you suspect yourself of hearing a difference because you want to. I’ve haven’t directly compared, or have they documented measurements, but we heard very familiar music in their and my systems, OEM and variety of substitutes, and all were excellent, involving, not too bright, nothing lacking .... How young are your ears? |
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