Tweeters are small speakers that are specially designed to reproduce high frequencies. They reproduce sound in the frequency range of between 2 kHz to 20 kHz. They’re small in size since they reproduce smaller wavelengths of sound than regular speakers and woofers. Tweeters are either used independently in component speaker systems or integrated into full-range coaxial speakers. But why are tweeters important in a sound system? Read on to learn how tweeters can improve your overall listening experience.
Producing Upper-Range Sound
One of the ways tweeters improve your listening experience is by reproducing upper-range sound. This refers to high frequencies, which include high-pitched sounds or treble. With a tweeter, you’ll be able to clearly hear high notes from vocals, horns, guitars, keyboards, drum effects, and other music equipment.
Consequently, tweeters allow for full-range sound. They complement other speakers that cannot reproduce highs. For instance, if your sound system comprises woofers and midrange speakers, you’ll miss out on important sound details that exist in the high-frequency range. By adding tweeters, you’ll hear all the music details more clearly. Besides, tweeters make the music feel more natural and enjoyable.
Enhances Stereo Imaging
Stereo imaging refers to the way music is recorded, then played back with the aim of giving spatial cues. If a group of musicians records music, the recorded music may have instruments playing in the right, left, and center channels. In this case, tweeters come in handy to reproduce high-frequency cues and allow you to know where sounds from musical instruments are coming from. They do so by creating a form of a stereo image.
Besides, music is often recorded in stereo. Stereo recording places sound instruments in their respective channels such that you’ll easily tell what you’re hearing and determine where the instruments are located without seeing them. Thus, tweeters are essential in enhancing stereo imaging.
Sound Balancing
Tweeters are essential in sound separation. They ensure that midrange speakers and woofers don’t get the burden of reproducing high frequencies. Thus, they minimize distortion by reproducing high frequencies and leaving lows for the woofers and midrange for midrange speakers. Consequently, you’ll enjoy listening to well-balanced sounds.
Enhancing Sound Accuracy
Tweeters are designed in such a way that they are stiff but extremely lightweight. This design ensures that they stop vibrating as soon as the music ends, an effect known as dampening. Tweeters are highly dampened such that they enhance sound quality and accuracy of sound. They minimize distortion when playing music loudly since they stop vibrating immediately after the music is paused or when a song ends.
Besides, high frequencies are highly directional. They travel on a narrow path such that a listener may be limited to the listening locations they’ll enjoy the unlimited sound. Tweeters come in handy to disperse high frequencies optimally such that you’ll easily hear high-frequency sounds throughout the listening space.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to upgrade your sound system, make sure you include tweeters to bring out high-frequency notes. They’re ideal for sound staging to bring out high-pitched sound details that woofers and midrange speakers cannot handle. Thus, if you want to enjoy the full-range sound and more sound accuracy, consider investing in tweeters.
Michael Evanchuk is a San Francisco-based sound engineer with 20 years’ experience installing, troubleshooting, and repairing commercial, automotive, and household sound equipment. Evanchuk owns an auto stereo center, where he offers highly competitive car audio installation and repair services. He has written dozens of articles on different sound engineering topics, all of which have been published in leading journals, blogs, and websites.
