Tekton Double Impact & Comb Filtering


Like many of you, I have been pondering purchasing these speakers but am very curious about the unusual tweeter array. I asked the smartest speaker person that I know (he is a student of Sean Olive) about the design and below is what he had to say.   

"In theory it could work, but the driver spacing means that the crossover point would need to be very low.
He is using the SB acoustics tweeter which is 72mm in diameter, center to center on the outside opposing drivers is around 5.7 inches, which is about 2400Hz. This means that combing would stop between 1/4 to 1/2 of the wavelength (between 1200-600Hz) is where the outside tweeters should start playing nice with each other.
Since he is not using low enough crossover points he has created a comb filtering monster. Now while it's not the great point source that was promised, it's no worse than most line arrays and the combing will average itself out given enough listening distance.

The MTM spacing on the other hand is ridiculous. Hopefully he is cutting the top end off on one of those midrange drivers to avoid combing."

seanheis1
@seanheis1

Secret Sauce LOL

Nothing new about anything I mentioned - all this has been understood for 50 years and more. Most conventional loudspeaker designers go a long way to avoid comb filtering - careful driver placement and steep crossovers as well as time alignment of drivers - this is in pursuit of the most accurate portrayal of the source sound. However, companies like Zu and Tekton are defying convention and making designs that offer advantages for those who like a certain style of presentation. The same can be said for tube coloration - much of this coloration is already on the recordings but if you like more of it then get a tube amp and drive it a little into distortion and you get nice harmonics. If you really like the sound of phasing and flanging then a design that adds a little comb filtering will enhance your enjoyment of everything.

As a trick - if you have conventional speakers but suspect you like comb filtering then you can try placing the speakers right up against the side walls so the tweeter is within 3 to 9 inches of the wall.

I would expect the comb filtering on the Tekton DI to be quite subtle and modest - remember that this mostly effects the reflected sound (25 to 40% of the audible sound) as the drivers are all aligned when you listen from directly in front.
All I can say for now,
If you want to hear every little nuance and really hear into the inner detail of your recordings than a Tekton design might be your speaker.

Taking in consideration of the info that has been posted here on the comb filtering issue in the next few days I will wear my audiophile hat and do my best to sort this out.I'ts going to tough to keep that hat on because my system is so engaging in sonics and musicality though.

Kenny.
Sean,

You have so much to say about this and to the best of my knowledge you've never called nor have you made the purchase - the reason you started this thread. To the best of my knowledge you haven't auditioned the DI's either. I encourage everyone to call me directly over just making the online purchase. You also keep lumping me with ZU. Respectfully, I'm questioning your motives here. I think it's time that you make the purchase or move on. At the very least you should call me to discuss the nature of the design and loudspeaker fully. 

Zu and Tekton reside in Utah and that's it. We have ZERO in common with ZU - nothing.

Eric Alexander - audio designer
801-836-0764   
Mr. Eric, I have actually said very little. I have posted the opinions of others, who are much smarter than myself...they don't have the innate knowledge of your loudspeakers like you do...but they understand the math and physics stuff and don't appear to have any conflicts of interest. 

My definition of hifi is improving the original recording. If that means tubes, vinyl, multibit DAC, or a bit of comb filtering to get that feeling of being there in the presence of the music, then in my book that's a good thing. 

There are a lot more speakers that I want to listen to before making a decision, but yours are by far the most interesting and I like the custom colors. 
Much, much, too much nincompoopery here and it is not from Eric Alexander or kdude66. I need to stop reading this particular thread. Best, mikirob