Tweeter Attenuator Question

[Blue_Whistle88]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering, if I have a cabinet that has a tweeter in it, and I switch it totally off using the attenuator, do any of the frequencies that would normally go through the tweeter get diverted to the other speakers?

This might sound like a silly question, as I recall that the signal gets split with a crossover prior to the attenuator, but I'm asking because when I switch my tweeter totally off there seems to be a funny tonal shift with the amp. It's difficult to describe, but it sounds like high-end sibilance suddenly vanishes yet the lower portion of it still comes through, only in a less bright way that does sound as though it's the same frequencies, only coming through the 10" speakers rather than a tweeter. Again, only sounds like a portion of those higher frequencies doing it, but I swear it sounds like the speakers get just a few extra high frequencies when I notch the attenuator to zero.

Anyway, thanks for your input guys. The cab in question is an SWR Goliath Senior 6x10.

I am thinking of getting a smaller cab though as I don't need something so big, so while I'm here does anyone also know what a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 sounds like paired with an Genz Benz 8 ohm Neo 2x12?

[KJung]

Depends on the crossover design, but in general, yes, the woofer typically does not run full range. If you don't like the extra treble exension you get with a tweeter, it is best to purchase a one way cab without a tweeter versus buying a tweeter loaded cab and turning the tweeter off.

Of course, many say the 'best of both worlds' is getting a two way cab with a mid driver versus a tweeter, but that is pure personal choice.

There are some designs, like the various 15/6/1 cabs, where the tweeter is controlled by a simple hi pass filter, so that when you turn it off, the mid driver runs full range.

[will33]

Originally Posted by KJung

Depends on the crossover design, but in general, yes, the woofer typically does not run full range. If you don't like the extra treble exension you get with a tweeter, it is best to purchase a one way cab without a tweeter versus buying a tweeter loaded cab and turning the tweeter off.

Of course, many say the 'best of both worlds' is getting a two way cab with a mid driver versus a tweeter, but that is pure personal choice.

There are some designs, like the various 15/6/1 cabs, where the tweeter is controlled by a simple hi pass filter, so that when you turn it off, the mid driver runs full range.

In a good design, this is true. It is common however in many, many typical woofer + tweet bass cabs that the woofer does run full range. There is no filter rolling highs out of the woofer, just the filter keeping lows out of the tweeter.

[KJung]

+1 Depends on the cab.

[Blue_Whistle88]

Right, I had a feeling that might be the case, different cab designs will warrant different systems. As stated, my cab is an SWR Goliath Senior 6x10, so does anyone know what particular system it (or any of the other cabs in the same family obviously) uses? Or at least a hazard guess from other SWR cab owners?

[LowEZ]

I have an SWR Golight 2x10 and when I kill the tweeter with the attenuator I most definitely lose the high frequencies that would normally be passed to the tweeter.

[will33]

Originally Posted by Blue_Whistle88

Right, I had a feeling that might be the case, different cab designs will warrant different systems. As stated, my cab is an SWR Goliath Senior 6x10, so does anyone know what particular system it (or any of the other cabs in the same family obviously) uses? Or at least a hazard guess from other SWR cab owners?

Your 10's will already be recieving a full range signal. The filter parts are to block the lows from the tweeter only. If you wish to remove it, remove the filter (circuit board) and wire the 10's straight up to a jack. Leave the tweeter mounted in the cab, or block that hole with a piece of wood or something so it doesn't throw off the box tuning. Can't have an empty hole there. If you want, you could install a simple on/off switch before the filter/tweeter everything so you can shut it completely off if your dial on the cab doesn't have an actual off setting.

[will33]

Originally Posted by LowEZ

I have an SWR Golight 2x10 and when I kill the tweeter with the attenuator I most definitely lose the high frequencies that would normally be passed to the tweeter.

You certainly will but yours is likely made the same way. As you go up in frequency, the 10's will naturally lose a lot of their response before you get to where the tweeter picks up.

[levis76]

The Goliath Sr. has the woofers wired up full range. I know, I swapped the blown PAS drivers in mine and had to rewire it. I did as stated above and left the tweeter disconnected since I didn't need it and reconnected it before I sold it.