Trying to decide between these and would appreciate any input from those of you who have tried any of them or both. Or even general experience from using Morel tweeters. Generally they seem very similar and will be used with a 12 dB filter at around 2200hz.
Beyond overall subjective SQ at normal levels I am keen to understand any experience on if any of them would be cleaner and less compressed at higher power levels.
https://www.morelhifi.com/filecont/CAT328-104.pdf
https://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/d2905-930000.pdf
Beyond overall subjective SQ at normal levels I am keen to understand any experience on if any of them would be cleaner and less compressed at higher power levels.
https://www.morelhifi.com/filecont/CAT328-104.pdf
https://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/d2905-930000.pdf
I've used both, although long ago (years) and at different times (years apart), so I can only speak from memory. Way back when I also used a few times the Morel MDT30, of which the 328 was an update. To my ears the Morels have a certain character / sound which I and everyone I built speakers for using them found rather pleasant, smooth and "classy" but not lacking in detail. Nice but definitely "there". In contrast the 9300s sounded much more neutral to me (no specific character / sound that I could easily describe) and I do remember them taking abuse extremely well, you really had to push them to make them lose their composure. On the other hand I have no particular memory of the Morels in that respect, so I guess I'd have probably considered them average / nothing special when pushed.
I feel like if you are looking at the 9300, then you ought to at least consider the 9500 or 9700. IIRC, these have something that is a step up from the 9300.
While I might take the CAT328 over the 9300, that might be different for the 9500 or 9700.
While I might take the CAT328 over the 9300, that might be different for the 9500 or 9700.
Thanks both and I am aware there are more refined versions of the 93's but they are also a bit more expensive.
The other versions of the ScanSpeak D2905-9300 are slightly better but not by alot. I used A LOT of 9300s in building smaller monitor style 2 ways with 7" midbass unit. They sound great for what they cost and definitely are worth the money.
The Morels are also very good, but have a little more HD and less settled top end. I'd agree they are a bit more engaging to listen to, but not as dynamic or precise.
If I were building a new 2 way with soft domes, the Morel ET338-104 would be my first choice. The D2905-9700 would be chosen if accuracy was most important. I'd consider an alloy dome instead of a soft dome.
The Morels are also very good, but have a little more HD and less settled top end. I'd agree they are a bit more engaging to listen to, but not as dynamic or precise.
If I were building a new 2 way with soft domes, the Morel ET338-104 would be my first choice. The D2905-9700 would be chosen if accuracy was most important. I'd consider an alloy dome instead of a soft dome.
I would not make a big deal out of it. Those are fine products. I'd focus on spare parts availability.
That's a good point. At the moment Soundimports has replacement domes for both in stock:
https://www.soundimports.eu/en/scan-speak-290031.html
https://www.soundimports.eu/en/morel-r-33supreme.html
Rumoh also has the Morel one and in the past they've special-ordered for me stuff they didn't have listed in their web page, I'm sure they could also get you the SS one if you ask them.
https://www.soundimports.eu/en/scan-speak-290031.html
https://www.soundimports.eu/en/morel-r-33supreme.html
Rumoh also has the Morel one and in the past they've special-ordered for me stuff they didn't have listed in their web page, I'm sure they could also get you the SS one if you ask them.
Agreed its a good point on spares.
On the ET338, anyone have a view on how it compares to the Dynaudio D260MKII used in the older Contour 1.3SE?
On the ET338, anyone have a view on how it compares to the Dynaudio D260MKII used in the older Contour 1.3SE?
All of the Dynaudio ranges of tweeters, vintage or contemporary ones, are quality products.
Morels are like their twin brothers. Founders of these companies used to work together before
they started quarrelling.
Morels are like their twin brothers. Founders of these companies used to work together before
they started quarrelling.
Many of the big 4 as I call them ie. Dynaudio, Morel, ScanSpeak (DST) and Seas share technology or license it to one another. Its hard to get a bad product from any of them. Thats what they're still in business and 3 of them (except Dynaudio) support DIY speaker building.
The repair parts are very convenient for tweeters. Until recently, it was harder to repair Morel domes, but they changed their design, so now they're repairable without soldering anything. The worst part on Morels is replacing ferrofluid. That adds to the cost. I find that ScanSpeak repair domes are a little more precise fitting, but they both do a proper job.
I mention the ET338 tweetes because they are a significant step forward in clarity, especially at lower crossover points. Nothing wrong with any of the others. They all makes very good tweeters.
The repair parts are very convenient for tweeters. Until recently, it was harder to repair Morel domes, but they changed their design, so now they're repairable without soldering anything. The worst part on Morels is replacing ferrofluid. That adds to the cost. I find that ScanSpeak repair domes are a little more precise fitting, but they both do a proper job.
I mention the ET338 tweetes because they are a significant step forward in clarity, especially at lower crossover points. Nothing wrong with any of the others. They all makes very good tweeters.
The ET338 is the better tweeter in terms of resolution and accuracy. The newer D260 version (ferrite motor) is a bit darker sounding and reserved in the upper mids. I've mixed and mastered on alot of dynaudio speakers, including the heritage special model. The tweeters in the heritage are a cut above the Morel soft domes, with exception of the neo motor TSCT1044/1104 which is about on par. I've used almost every commercially available soft dome at one point or another from Morel, Seas and a few less from ScanSpeak. The ones I always go back to are the Morels. They just sound right in many ways and can deal with low crossovers without drama. You'll always be able to repair them too and that's why I like to use them in 2 way monitor builds. They're also very consistent.
ScanSpeak and Seas soft domes tend to be more delicate, giving up durability for a tiny bit more resolution on their more expensive models. The D2904/2905 series SS have been around for over 30 yrs and still hold up favorably to more modern soft domes. They're a bit like buying Coca Cola - you always know what you're going to get.
The trend has gone to lower and lower crossover points with matching THD levels. Even so, I still like the D2905s best compared to all the other SS tweeters and for 3 way designs using higher crossover points. They push the envelope of what's possible with soft dome technology. The next choice in line would be going to a larger diameter soft dome, specifically the Seas T35C002. ScanSpeak had the D3806-8200 which is sadly discontinued. It could be used without a supplement tweeter, having enough top end extension for a larger soft dome tweeter.
If ypu want better resolution from a dome tweeter, the next step up are the Audax titanium and Bliesma aluminum or beryllium domes. There is one special sleeper among them from Seas, my new favorite, ⁵ the 22TAF hybrid alu/mg cloth surround dome. That one is a giant killer. Not a soft dome, but worth mentioning due to its amazing value
Thanks profiguy, very informative and I think I will give Morel a chance on this project.
I asked about the ET338 as my D260's are getting old and there are no sparepats, just new tweeters so would like to change them to a more DIY friendly unit.
I asked about the ET338 as my D260's are getting old and there are no sparepats, just new tweeters so would like to change them to a more DIY friendly unit.
Just to report back on my experience with Morel tweeters so far. My initial use-case was to replace 2 pair of Focal tweeters in a pair of JMlab/Focal SR30 dipole surround speakers, the reason to change was that the Focal tweeters distorted heavily at higher levels. I got 2 pairs of the CAT308 as this was not a critical application and with just minor changes to the crossover they performed ok measurement wise and subjectively the result was pretty good with no issues cranking up the volume.
The rest of my system have the dynaudio D-260 contour 1.3MKII tweeter which are good but not great.
So I ordered a set of the Morel ST1108 to do some testing with the thinking being replacing the D260's and they blended in perfectly with no changes to the crossover in my application.
Subjectively the Morels ST1108 sound cleaner and more resolved plus stay that way at higher levels compared to the D260.
The rest of my system have the dynaudio D-260 contour 1.3MKII tweeter which are good but not great.
So I ordered a set of the Morel ST1108 to do some testing with the thinking being replacing the D260's and they blended in perfectly with no changes to the crossover in my application.
Subjectively the Morels ST1108 sound cleaner and more resolved plus stay that way at higher levels compared to the D260.
One of my Dynaudio Countour 1.3 SE (special edition) recently fell and the drivers broke. While waiting for a technician to evaluate the possibility of repairing the cones, I wanted to know if it is possible to find speakers that can worthy replace the original ones (81473 D-260 and 84871 17 W-LQ 04).
Sorry but for the price or these already old drivers you can get something really good and modern like any Satori, Scan Speak 913000, Bliesma T25 or new Scan Speak Illuminator D2004/602200 or older SS D3004/602010.
Should the crossovers be modified to accommodate such different drivers?
Any ideas for replacing the woofer?
Any ideas for replacing the woofer?
Morel CAW 634 may be considered a replacement, although its Re of 3.6 is somewhat different than the original.
Morel should be less sensitive because of it. Some x/o mods are likely desirable.
Morel should be less sensitive because of it. Some x/o mods are likely desirable.
thewoofer was made for this model iirc. So you have directly to ask Dynaudio. The nearest you can find is to ask to Audiotechnology that have the same cone material and had the same founder co-founder of Dynaudio.
Paper cone has a different sounding as well as tweeter dome from ScanSpeak.
The fact is also Dynaudio often is using low order filters if not 6dB and Dynaudio/Morel can handle it, not all the tweeters can.
It is maybe worthing due to the price of dynaudio parts to develop a new speaker on the 1.3SE cabinet. Due to the holes diameters, choices could be short according the genuine driver basket.
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