Tweeter height variations

[joey_v]

Does anyone know why we have tweeter height variations? The tweeter being at the top of the speaker means that we aren't going to get ear level at tweeter since they are over 42" tall.

The new 802d3 is taller than the old 802d2, while the 803d3 is shorter than the 802d2...


Is there a rhyme or reason? Are we supposed to sit at fst level?

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Does anyone know why we have tweeter height variations? The tweeter being at the top of the speaker means that we aren't going to get ear level at tweeter since they are over 42" tall.

The new 802d3 is taller than the old 802d2, while the 803d3 is shorter than the 802d2...


Is there a rhyme or reason? Are we supposed to sit at fst level?

Joey. It is, of course, the norm, but not a consistent approach. ATC specifically recommend that your ears must be at midrange height in respect of their 3-way designs. Vivid is another manufacturer where the tweeter is way above ear height and recommended it as such. I am not sure what the recommendation is for your speakers however

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Does anyone know why we have tweeter height variations? The tweeter being at the top of the speaker means that we aren't going to get ear level at tweeter since they are over 42" tall.

I just raise the rear a bit to tilt the tweeter axis down to my ear height at the MLP.

[advanced101]

I always heard that the best phase response happens between the tweeter and mid-range. This is the height that you want to sit at when closer than 9' from the speaker. I sit 10-11' away and raised my couch. I have thought about changing the rake of the speaker but I'm not sure how much time alignment is going on within the speaker although I believe B&W recommends this.

Art Vandelay spent a bunch of time taking measurements of the 800s, giving us a pretty good idea of what is going on, he has a thread on these forums.

[joey_v]

So what is the ideal ear height?

I assume BW knows the ideal ear height when they designed the d3... I bet it's way below tweeter. No way tweeter height is at 43+ inches

Average ear height is 37".

[Douglas]

I think Patrick Butler should let us know. B&W does not make reference to this at all in any of their material or user manuals. My guess is that the ideal height would be between tweeter and midrange.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by Douglas

I think Patrick Butler should let us know. B&W does not make reference to this at all in any of their material or user manuals. My guess is that the ideal height would be between tweeter and midrange.

From my own measurements, with 800D2's, optimum height is level with the top of the FST which is about an inch below the centre of the tweeter dome.

And from the measurements I've seen thus far on the 802D3 it looks to be the same.

[Patrick Butler]

Hi Art,

Exactly so, and the spiking system allows a fine tuning based on listening height.

Regards,

Patrick

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

From my own measurements, with 800D2's, optimum height is level with the top of the FST which is about an inch below the centre of the tweeter dome.

And from the measurements I've seen thus far on the 802D3 it looks to be the same.