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Tekton DI Monitors

Finally got to see the measurements for the Double Impact monitors. I’m a little disappointed.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/tekton-design-impact-monitor-loudspeaker-measurements

This woofer - tweeter - woofer configuration is similar to the style named after the esteemed Joseph D’Appolito. Done well this configuration functions like a single large woofer in terms of dispersion. Less floor and ceiling bounce yield better detail at the listening position. 

Interestingly, the Audiogon craze of criticizing the tweeter array for possible comb filtering is not what I’m sad about. In fact the array appears to be the least of the issues. Look at figure 4. The horizontal plots are superbly clean. Any comb filtering from the tweeter array would be displayed here, and it’s not. Those critics going nuts about the array’s poor performance can apologize for their uninformed criticism right now.

The problem is really the vertical response. It is terrible. Here we do have evidence of comb filtering! See the plot closest to the viewer in figure 5? See the regularly occurring hills and valleys completely absent from figure 4? That my friends is comb filtering. However it’s not coming from the tweeter array, but from the two widely placed woofers. There’s also a great deal of hash above 5kHz on this same plot. This makes me so very very sad.

Part of this is fixable. As Dr. D’Appolito discovered, the designer should have used a higher order crossover slope, which would have taken care of the hash above 5 kHz. However the comb filtering below this is not easily remedied. The issue has to do with how far away the two woofers are from each other. They are so far, and cut in so high that they can’t help but interfere with each other and this woofer to woofer distance is ultimately controlled by the size of the tweeter array.

Should you buy this speaker? I think you should listen to it. See how it sounds to you as you move around your listening space. If you find yourself enamored of the mid-treble resolution and detail, I would encourage you to listen to other Tekton designs that don’t attempt a D’Appolito design, because I'm afraid that the main benefit of this type of design, narrow mid-woofer dispersion, is lost.  A simpler 2-way would avoid these issues and be as good at detail and resolution 
erik_squires
63 responses Add your response
corelli
977 posts
 
Have to agree with teajay on this point---the amount of nit picking that goes on towards Tekton is ridiculous and often by critics that have never even heard the speaker in question.
Yea, you are so right.  Tekton needs to place a warning of their site about only listening in the sweet spot. REALLY.  And so should every other manufacturer.  Never heard a speaker that did not change it's response and imaging as you wander about your room.
And now we need a warning that multiple tweeter speakers blow up. Brother.  I'll never blow a tweeter on my DI's.  In fact, this is the most composed speaker I have heard when played loudly.  No strain whatsoever.  Tell ya what--I'll be the first one to tell you if there is a failure.  Just don't hold your breathe.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Corelli
Agree with your stance on imaging in part, but, some speakers do image a lot better (without having your head in a vice locked in the sweet spot) than others. Tekton isn't one of them....
corelli
977 posts
 
I don’t disagree in part. It’s personal preference in how one prefers to listen. For those on the move when they listen, the Tekton monitor may hot be the best choice. For those that listen in the sweet spot it’s a non-issue. I just resent how some make such ridiculous suggestions that are directed at Tekton when may other speakers suffer similar problems.
There is always give and take when a designer makes a choice. Some speakers that offer wide sweet spots may not image as precisely as the Tektons do in the sweet spot. Obviously we all have our preferences.
ricred1
2,005 posts
 
Sorry, but people talk bad about every popular speaker...have you ever read what some people say about Wilson Audio, Magico, Klipsch, and so many more. 
canibefrank
406 posts
 
more than one?
if tweeter are like girlfriends
they are more than jsut trouble
waiting to happen
they are dangerous
jay23
210 posts
 
@erik_squires 
Actually this and the Enzo XL show there are problems with the tweeter designs. It will be interesting to see any of the upper models measured.

@corelli
Most speakers don't have such vertical limitations.
erik_squires OP
16,056 posts
 
@erik_squires
Actually this and the Enzo XL show there are problems with the tweeter designs. It will be interesting to see any of the upper models measured.

You are making stuff  up. The Enzo measured superbly.

NOTHING about the DI Monitor measurements shows a problem with the _tweeter_ array.
thompsontechs
18 posts
 
Except that is should be called an, "upper mid array." P I made some, slight mods, wink wink... they were amazing from the start, but truly special now. I’m not going into what I did, but I spoke with Eric about it and told him what parts I changed out and after, he got over feeling like I molested his daughter, he admitted the parts I chose were what he would choose, or at least comparable, but would have changed the price point by 3k. I understand that as most of us without an unlimited budget are thankful... but my OCD pushes me to make changes to an already brilliant design and hope we don’t #&^)( it up. It was a process for me as they were NOT right after I got done. I found that somehow I had created some phase issues with my, outside crossover and wiring. Once I figured it out, I sat there with a large grin on my face thinking about my friend who has 60 something K in his system. :)

Tekton-Lyngdorf Bliss. :)

JT

PS Just realized I typed this all in on a monitor thread and I have the  DIs lol. Never mind, nothing to see here, move along. 
wilson667's avatar
wilson667
93 posts
 
Hi everyone I just purchased a pair of the Impact Monitors. I have about 80+ hours on them. They are sounding great. I am wanting to fill in the lower frequency range a bit so I picked up a pair of SVS sb1000’s . My question is to folks using subs where have you found to be a good crossover point to  integrate the subs?
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,043 posts
 
Read your SVS instructions and try to  start on 9 o’clock until you get the right bass. I have wharfedale sub, my DI monitor usually like it up to 11 o’clock...
wilson667's avatar
wilson667
93 posts
 
Jayctoy where does that put you in terms of frequency. Each manufacture has a different starting point for crossover. For example the svs at 9-o’clock would be right about 70hz. 
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@wilson667 It’s a good question. Eric Alexander has strong experience in this area and should be able to guide you based on your needs, room, and the Impact Monitors. SVS will likely have experience with their own subs when combined with Tekton speakers.

Call them up. I find that I (nearly always) learn something new or different when I reach out to the manufacturers.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,043 posts
 
Wilson667 mine is set to 50hz
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