I remember when supertweeters were controversial.
OK—for some they still are. After all, the omnidirectional Fyne SuperTrax Supertweeter kicks in at 16kHz and reach up to 60kHz (-6db) and we all know that human hearing doesn’t go anywhere near those heights, especially as some people age. My hearing actually gets better every day but that’s another story (wink).
Let’s let Fyne explain in brief:
“…the addition of a super tweeter will better preserve the harmonic relationship between instruments and is apparent down to low frequencies. This is a very important fact which is not intuitive.”
If you want more of the supertweeter story, check out Fyne’s white paper on the subject.
I reviewed my first and second supertweeters way back in 2005 which is when I learned about James Boyk of CalTech and his 1997 paper titled “There’s Life Above 20 Kilohertz! A Survey of Musical Instrument Spectra to 102.4 KHz ” where he explains “…At least one member of each instrument family (strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion) produces energy to 40kHz or above, and the spectra of some instruments reach this work’s measurement limit of 102.4kHz…” All to say we know, via measurements, that this is the case. Whether or not we need to record and reproduce this ultrasonic stuff isn’t my call. Alas, I listen and describe.
The SuperTrax offer a +/-3 dB (from nominal setting) level control to better mate to your speakers and Fyne recommends sticking with speakers up to 98 dB sensitivity.
That ground lug in between the binding posts is there to “prevent radio frequency interference effects from masking fine detail” according to the company.
In case you’re wondering about placement, Fyne offers details on positioning for all of their speakers as well as a more general guide for mating the SuperTrax with other speakers.
The Fyne Audio SC1 Premium Cable Kit ($449/pair) was included which connect from the SuperTrax to your speaker’s binding posts, in this case the Fyne F501S that are in Barn for review.
I shall listen and report! Stay tuned.
Fyne Audio SuperTrax Supertweeters
Price: $4499/pair
Company Website: Fyne Audio
US Distributor Website: Harmonia Distribution
Specifications
Recommended Max Amplifier Power: 400 W RMS
Sensitivity (2.83 Volt @ 1m): Suitable for loudspeakers up to 98 dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
Frequency Response (-6 dB): 16 kHz to 60 kHz
Driver: 25 mm thin-ply carbon diaphragm (TPCD) with neodymium magnet system
Crossover: 3rd order high pass 16 kHz, Cryogenically treated
Adjustments: +/-3 dB from nominal setting
Dimensions (HWD): 3.4″ x 5.5″ x 10.1” (86 x 140 x 257 mm)