Warning about certain tweeters including ribbon tweeters

[japlytic]

I have read a warning that some tweeters, especially ribbon tweeters can be damaged when a DC voltage is applied to them, such as a DC offset from an amplifier, a DC source such as a battery, or even a multimeter.
Such tweeters require a DC blocking capacitor (which can be fitted in a crossover) to prevent damage.

[b700029]

Re: Warning about certain tweeters including ribbon tweeters

I don't think a multimeter would have enough power to cause damage. CPUs and chipsets are much more sensitive to voltage, and yet people probe motherboards checking for resistance without damaging those.

I also found this:
https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...43ee729f9b.pdf
which suggests ribbon tweeters are even more robust and easier to fix than the normal coil types.

[999999999]

Re: Warning about certain tweeters including ribbon tweeters

Depends on how much DC. No (typical)speaker should be subjected to much, it is an amp fault that should be corrected.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Warning about certain tweeters including ribbon tweeters

Depends on how much DC. No (typical)speaker should be subjected to much, it is an amp fault that should be corrected.

If the crossover is passive, the tweeter will already have at least one capacitor fitted in series. So no DC hits the tweeter. If active crossovers are being used, then the amplifier must be designed with a DC servo and DC protection, so that offset is kept low at all times, even in the event of a fault.