[jcaro]

What are the top of the line BA's these days?

I'm working on a 3-way design that hits the Harman target with lots of headroom, low THD, and good extension. Thinking 38D1X, 2389D, and maybe a RAU for now, but not sure if I can do better. Any thoughts?

 

[piotrus-g]

What are the top of the line BA's these days?

I'm working on a 3-way design that hits the Harman target with lots of headroom, low THD, and good extension. Thinking 38D1X, 2389D, and maybe a RAU for now, but not sure if I can do better. Any thoughts?

I think these are good choices, swap 2389D for 2x ED29689 and you'll have better headroom and more of the TOTL-worthy parts

 

[mattmatt]

I think these are good choices, swap 2389D for 2x ED29689 and you'll have better headroom and more of the TOTL-worthy parts

Mind me asking what makes the 2xED29689 better than 2389D?

 

[piotrus-g]

Mind me asking what makes the 2xED29689 better than 2389D?

single 2389 has THD reaching around 2,5-2,8% at 1kHz ED-29689 has it at around 0,6% as far as I remember from the top of my head. For ease of discussion we can assume dual assembly will have 1/2 THD at any given Hz compared to single.
2389 will distort if you put a bit too much power on them and I guarantee any quiet piano music will cause cracking effect. ED is much better.
Now sound wise you could argue that 2389 is softer and warmer sounding, but that might be just down to preference.

 

[swtnate]

single 2389 has THD reaching around 2,5-2,8% at 1kHz ED-29689 has it at around 0,6% as far as I remember from the top of my head. For ease of discussion we can assume dual assembly will have 1/2 THD at any given Hz compared to single.
2389 will distort if you put a bit too much power on them and I guarantee any quiet piano music will cause cracking effect. ED is much better.
Now sound wise you could argue that 2389 is softer and warmer sounding, but that might be just down to preference.

This is . I run a series resistor of at least 10ohm to 2389 when running with the 33/i9. The 2389D works well, and the 2389 as well, if you have it paired with accompanying low end that is able to draw enough power to prevent the THD from rising. Also, with a proper in series capacitor, a LOT of the THD can be mitigated. I use the 2389D as a trade from the 2x29689 due to it having a single spout. It prevents me from having to create a coupler.

 

[jcaro]

Another question: does anyone have a copy of the data sheets for these drivers? Or any drivers in the RAN or RDU series?
They're recommended in the Knowles BA selection guides and they're for sale on Digikey, but I can't find any specs or detailed information anywhere.

RAN-33860-B148
RDU-35000-000

 

[swtnate]

Another question: does anyone have a copy of the data sheets for these drivers? Or any drivers in the RAN or RDU series?
They're recommended in the Knowles BA selection guides and they're for sale on Digikey, but I can't find any specs or detailed information anywhere.

RAN-33860-B148
RDU-35000-000

Message Digi for tech sheets

 

[swtnate]

Another question: does anyone have a copy of the data sheets for these drivers? Or any drivers in the RAN or RDU series?
They're recommended in the Knowles BA selection guides and they're for sale on Digikey, but I can't find any specs or detailed information anywhere.

RAN-33860-B148
RDU-35000-000

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/218/BA_Selection_Guide_Pro_Audio_v031223-3132304.pdf

the RAN and RDU are both tweeters. RAN is a single. RDU is a dual. As far as response data, compatibility with other armatures, I am not familiar. I know of one company that partnered with Knowles to use the RAN in a hybrid design model that uses a dynamic for the lows. Zero data publicly posted.

 

[jcaro]

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/218/BA_Selection_Guide_Pro_Audio_v031223-3132304.pdf

the RAN and RDU are both tweeters. RAN is a single. RDU is a dual. As far as response data, compatibility with other armatures, I am not familiar. I know of one company that partnered with Knowles to use the RAN in a hybrid design model that uses a dynamic for the lows. Zero data publicly posted.

That's what I've found in my research as well, but I'd love to see some FR data if anyone on the forum has used them. I also reached out to Knowles directly but haven't heard back yet.

 

[swtnate]

That's what I've found in my research as well, but I'd love to see some FR data if anyone on the forum has used them. I also reached out to Knowles directly but haven't heard back yet.

The really interesting thing is the max SPL. RAN is quieter than all their other Tweeters. The RDU on the other hand is quite loud for a Tweeter. I wonder if RDU is a dual version of their new single SuperTweeter.

 

[Jedrula1]

That's what I've found in my research as well, but I'd love to see some FR data if anyone on the forum has used them. I also reached out to Knowles directly but haven't heard back yet.

There you go guys - RDU Datasheet

 

[mattmatt]

There you go guys - RDU Datasheet

Thank you, man!

 

[swtnate]

Thank you, man!

Thats pretty loud at 10k. The decline aftet though doesnt seem to lend itself to extension.

 

[Wgibson]

How did they manage that impedance correction?

 

[tonybuild]

this graphs from dual driver iem . Basically CI + ed , Just wired differently to compare.

Which idea should I keep?
Which look normal?