Q. re Gemme Tanto Tweeter Replacements

"...their designer Robert Gaboury quite a while ago, he mentioned that several owners had replaced the tweeters with Eton 26HD3..."    

That is engineering talk for; I didn't design it but I don't see a problem with it. 

 

A Google search came up with the original tweeter (listed for sale- $18/each) @ allicdata.com.

Never heard of the company but was able to place 2 in their shopping cart (they state 900+ in stock).

Per a review of your speaker it uses but a single cap on the tweeter, so maybe try to check the wire/connection to see if it has become compromised?

You might also try checking with Madisound for suitable replacements.

 

DeKay

 

Thanks for the replies.  Though I wasn't able to find an exact replacement at allicdata.com - or anywhere else - Madisound may have a suitable replacement.  I was hoping, however, that there may be some forum members who have actual experience with the Tantos and different tweeters that could comment on how they changed the sound from the originals.  Anyone?

This is a different tweeter?

DeKay

@dekay, apologies, that does look like the correct replacement.  Not sure about shipping from HK to US (or how reliable/trustworthy they are), but it may be something to look into so thanks for the link.

I'm still interested, however, in hearing from anyone about other model replacement tweeters and how they changed the sound.

 

I just looked at the sensitivity spec of around 85dB @ 4 ohms.

The low spec # is how the designer padded it down.

Anyway, good luck.

DeKay

 

 

I just looked at the sensitivity spec of around 85dB @ 4 ohms.

The low spec # is how the designer padded it down.

Hi DeKay.  What do you mean by "padded it down"?  Sorry if this is a nooby question.

I was referring to how he got the tweeter output in decibels to balance that of the woofer (with the only adjustment being a single cap that limits the low frequency signal input to the tweeter).

Typically tweeters have higher sensitivity than woofers (the tweeters play louder) and they are attenuated (their SPL reduced) by the use of a more complex crossover or the use of an L-Pad if the tweeter is connected with but a single cap.

In your Gemme the woofer has a higher sensitivity of 91.5bB VS the tweeter being rated @ 85dB (no padding required and both drivers are rated @ 4 ohms).

The design of your speaker  makes me think that I should try some 90db, or so, tweeters (connected by a single cap) with my single drivers (all of which are in the 95dB range and which are either 8 or 16 ohms).

Before I used an L-Pad or moved the position of the tweeter behind that of the main driver or positioned the tweeter to fire backwards at the speaker wall.

Never thought of using a tweeter with a sensitivity lower than that of the main driver.

L-Pad...

http://diy-fever.com/misc/l-pad/

DeKay

DeKay, thanks for the great explanation!  I generally like the sound of the Tantos and have always believed that a large reason for their clarity is due to the lack of a crossover.  I have no real experience in speaker design, though, so that has always been based on my limited understanding.

It sounds as if I were to change tweeter models, the sensitivity rating would be at least as important as any of the other specs.  Food for thought!

 

I have little technical knowledge - just what I've been forced to absorb when experimenting with various stuff.

After reading multiple reviews of the Tanto V1 I tried to find a good sound demo, but only found bad ones.

I would take a chance on ordering what appears to be the original tweeters while they are still hopefully available.

Once those are in hand (and they work) then experiment.

 

Dekay

After reading multiple reviews of the Tanto V1 I tried to find a good sound demo, but only found bad ones.

I'm not sure what you mean by a sound demo?  Do you mean in-store, at a show, or online?  I tend to think it's very difficult to find anything worthwhile online for hifi speakers, but maybe I'm just not aware of where to look? 

I bought mine used and almost didn't go ahead with the purchase because I didn't love the way they sounded as set up in the prior owner's space.  But the room was very large and sparsely furnished with all hard surfaces.  I tried to listen past the room and ended up buying them because I thought I heard their potential (and really liked both pro and user reviews).  Once I put them in my room which is smaller and has more furniture with a rug, etc., I thought they sounded great! 

I meant Youtube videos with sound.

Not a great reference for speakers not previously heard in person, but better than nothing.

Either the music and/or the room was off in the demos I found (one video showed a wall of glass close to and directly behind the speakers).

Online reviews of your speakers were extremely positive, but what got my attention was how they were described as sounding when listened to way off axis in that they had an extremely wide dispersion pattern that worked.

 

A few stories as to why I would be inclined to purchase OEM replacement tweeters now (I would go for 4 @ least:-).

 

6-9 months ago my wife told me that coffee prices would be going up (we drink an inexpensive espresso brand from Puerto Rico that is our favorite regardless of price).

I then purchased a 12 month supply (it comes in vacuum packed bricks with good expiration dates that have been fine in the past even after the X-dates).

When the storms recently hit Puerto Rico I immediately purchased an additional 24 month supply, which came with mid 2025 X-dates.

It's now a daily treat that I don't have to think/bother with for the next 2+ years.

 

My  wife complains about me dragging in DVD players and flatscreen TV's that I find left out on the street (I test them and if they have problems I put them back out for pickup and I only chose clean/newer models).

Recently our TV was knocked over and the sound was distorted once I hooked it up again.

I replaced it with a larger 26" street found Samsung that ended up having better sound/picture quality (I have another street found 36" LG, which tested fine, as a backup for the 26" - I'm not picky about TV/Video).

We have only purchased one DVD payer since we started using them 20+ years ago (though I'm out of spares @ this point).

 

One night a 3-4 years ago our microwave oven fried in the middle of heating up various leftovers and cooking rice.

My wife didn't know that I had picked up a "street" microwave as I had hidden it in the trunk of my car.

I told her that I would get another one and left the apartment (the found microwave still had the protection stickers and power cord wrap on it - had probably never been used).

When she checked back 30 minutes later the "new" oven was already installed (took me a few minutes to properly clean and ready it to go).

The found microwave was bright red (aside from lipstick I do not like red and my wife know this - she does likes red/a lot).

She said how did you make it to/from the store so fast and I'm shocked that you picked red.

I told her that it was the only color available.

 

DeKay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Either the music and/or the room was off in the demos I found (one video showed a wall of glass close to and directly behind the speakers).

I tend to agree - for the Tantos but also for a lot of other audio gear.

Online reviews of your speakers were extremely positive, but what got my attention was how they were described as sounding when listened to way off axis in that they had an extremely wide dispersion pattern that worked.

This is one of the features that I was interested in as well - and in this regard I think they perform as advertised.

A few stories as to why I would be inclined to purchase OEM replacement tweeters now (I would go for 4 @ least:-).

You convinced me.  And your stories are hilarious - thanks for sharing!

 

Let us know if the purchase works out (they have gobs of parts listed).

Wish I could post photos as the RED microwave went back to the car trunk 2+++ years ago (purchased a replacement/white Sharp unit as the color was driving me nuts) and it's still there to this day, along with numerous containers of kitty litter and TP.

 

DeKay

 

Regarding attempting to buy the tweeters through allicdata, my purchase seems to be in some kind of limbo.  The sight is a bit strange in that you create an order, and they are supposed to get back to you with a quote.  Although the amount for the part is listed, nothing indicates shipping, which I presume would not be cheap as its coming from Hong Kong, and would likely be the piece that needs to be quoted.  I'll keep pursuing, but its been almost a week with no response and I'm not counting on it.

However, as I indicated in my original post, I would still be interested in any experience with other tweeters in the Tantos.  Even if I had 80 spare originals on hand, it would be great to hear what others thought about various replacements.  My understanding is that a few owners replaced working tweeters to try to upgrade the sound.  Any Tanto owners out there who can comment?