3 Ways to Attenuate a Tweeter

Ever want to learn how to match the volume of a tweeter to a midwoofer? Or maybe you didn't know there were multiple ways to do it. Watch this video to learn 3 different ways to attenuate a tweeter and why you might choose each method.

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[timealchemist]

“Make sure your impedance isn’t out of wack” that’s a detail that needs its own video now. It would help us noobs out if we saw a good, bad and “what we could get away with” set of examples. Thanks for the content!

[brianraulerson]

Not sure how I missed this. It explains a lot. Thanks!

[jimthvac]

Thank you! I learned a lot especially about the first resistor right after your second order how it can help lower the high end if needed. Good stuff, thanks Toid!

[franciscorompana]

Sound of video is very low () check your mic attenuation

[Renrondog]

A resistor by itself is NOT an "L Pad". The "L Pad" gets it's name from the shape of the schematic symbols used in the layout.
A resistor by itself is an attenuator. Otherwise, another excellent video you have produced. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[petersouthernboy]

For more severe sensitivity mismatches - more typical when using compression drivers; you can attenuate anywhere from 1 to 12 dB with an Autotransformer. There are some drawbacks to using resistors for large sensitivity mismatches.

[avesbilal]

Could you please make some more videos on driver phase and time alignment... Really appreciate your videos...

[גדאור-גע]

this is great man you gave me a lot of information but I really wonder which one of those three options can affect the phase and sometimes my Twitter and woofer don't add up and match.

[edjackson]

If I wanted to try the resistor before the crossover on a 4" midrange 4ohm ( I know you recommended against this) in a 3-way setup getting about 35 watts max per channel, what precautions would I need to take ? I want to use a 5ohm resistor on each mid before the crossovers. Do I use two 2.5ohm resistors to dissapate the heat? Three 1.7ohm? Or don't try it at all?

[nickdibart]

Are the passive crossovers that typically come with component speakers set up in a similar way? If I'm trying to attenuate the tweeter, can I just add a resistor wired in parallel with the tweeter? If so, how do you choose a proper resistance value?

[LCRLive]

Hi there. Thanks for the overview although I am still a novice in full understanding with regards to the details here.
Do you do some course on this from the basics?

[Sovereign_]

I have a question. I’m sure you’re busy so I’ll try to provide all the info you would need here.

Currently I’m using my stock Camry stereo. Non JBL package.

JL Audio 400/4 amp. 4ohm. 75watts per channel.

Kicker Component Set. 4ohm. 10watt minimum. 100w RMS. 300 max rms.

Kicker component speakers, but the crossover was separated from the pair, as, according to the terrible installer I went to, it was pulling too much power from the woofer and causing it to be low volume. So the woofer was wired directly to the amp, and the tweeters were spliced in as well. So the amp is powering both. Without a crossover.

My problem is twofold now. 1. My tweeters are distorting, they tried to remedy this by adding a capacitor. It’s not working. 2. My tweeters are much louder than my mid woofer. And I need to push the volume HARD to get my mids to really shine through the rest of the mix, and at the point my tweeters are distorting, and uncomfortably harsh. Plus, I know that without a crossover they’re likely to die.

My plan is this. 1. Install an Alpine ILXW650. 2. Keep or remove the capacitor but, take that crossover that was intended for both speakers, and connect it in line AFTER the splice that connects the woofer and tweeter to the amp, but before the tweeter. I do this in the hopes that 1. The crossover works as intended, and will effect JUST my tweeters and 2. If it does in fact drain power, and I know a passive crossover does, then maybe it will bring the tweeter volume into balance with the woofers.

Can you, or anyone else hear with knowledge advise if this makes sense?

[DIYBenzGarage]

If you put a single 10W resistor before the crossover, would you also need to change the value of the cap/inductor? If I had an 8 ohm tweeter and an 8 ohm resistor, would I calculate my crossover as a 16 ohm tweeter? I know impedance ohms and resistance ohms are different.

[shawnbrennan]

Either you or youtube can read my mind.

[rogerdunkley]

If you choose the third option and put the resistor ahead of the crossover, does the resistor not also attenuate the woofer or did you mean put the resistor in series ahead of the HIGH PASS crossover only and not the ENTIRE crossover? In my case, I'm replacing a tweeter in a 2-way speaker with another one that has nice flat frequency and impedance responses above the crossover point (2.5 KHz). As the replacement tweeter is a few dB higher in sensitivity than the original tweeter, would option 3 be the best way to go? I only want to knock the tweeter back a couple dB and not effect the woofer.

[karafarinperesentati]

Thanks a lot for the knowledge you share!
I know it's not a right and accurate question, but I built a speaker and I need to attenuate the deep bass in crossover higher! do you have any suggestion?

[rahulkumar-quxo]

i have a 6 ohm tweeter sounds nice but response(sensitivity) is low with respect to woofer ---- should i put resistance in parallel to increase sensitivity or something else ?

[jeremyphilander]

Brilliant, but can you use this on active systems

[mikeables]

Hi! 123Toid I enjoy your vids to the point I decided to try to follow along with you and Kirby and that handsome guy from Canada. lol.... So I got the Omni Mic. I play the sine sweep. Then I think, shoot how loud do I turn up my stereo? How do I know when I have the volume at 1 watt or 2.8 volts? Anyone that reads this please answer. I want to get on with this new hobby but I hit a speed bump right out of the gate. Do I need one of those wire pinchy things electricians use?

[retrorocketman]

your video is great. the information that i waited for towards the end (you said) is not there. I could not understand the Web site you went but that would work fine if they have examples. If you know the math that calculates these things that would be real helpful. I give you a 10 plus for good work. I am just new to this. I also gave you a ten because you do not sound like your riding a camel across the desert not in USA. Thanks