The supertweeter is usually described as a small speaker capable of playing the range of ultrasonic frequencies, that is between 15 and 100 kHz. This definition can be considered truthful, but it's a by-the-book simplification. It doesn't show respect to the potential that such an object can offer compared to a better analysis. To better understand the nature of the supertweeter in the audio field, we need to introduce the topics of harmonics, intermodulations, sound spaces, three-dimensionality and the impulsive response to acoustic signals when they relate to the natural limits of the human auditory system. Don't get scared, I'm not going to bore you to tears in a season where you attention-span is at pre-primordial levels - in which we prefer to move our attention on rather important things, such as sea, mountains, cooling, fresh drinks, and bikinis - but it's only a reference and in a second I'll explain why.
Having added a steady pair of Sopranino ENIGMAcoustics to my sound system did nothing more than fuel my desire to deepen the knowledge of this component which, surprisingly, is produced by a fair number of companies, in different shapes, materials and prices of course, which can be quite often high. I had the chance to use the entry-level model called Batpure, thanks to the opportunity of testing a pair of supertweeters customized by the Castelli Director of the Japanese TakeT. First of all, I wish to say that in contrast with other similar techs, these components are within the reach of many pockets, listing around fifty euros. I assure you that that money will be well spent, especially considering the overall impact they have on the performance of the audio set. These reproducers are really compact: 23 mm in length, 30 mm including the terminal fins, 12 mm of width and 3.8 mm of thickness. Thier small size has allowed, as in this case, their fixing on two carbon block bricks, while for the connection we used a braid of two solid core silver-copper wires.
NdR - The Batpure is connected in parallel to the speaker terminals, without any need for further crossovers.
The presence of the Batpure has from the start a great impact on the audio system, first of all in terms of airiness and scenic space. The sound reproduction was uniform and consistent over a wide frequency range. But what stunned me above all was the tonal effect, so high that it returned the instrumental and vocal performances to their original naturalness. Something I hadn't noticed with this kind of results, with other renowned supertweeter like Murata, Tannoy or Fostex. These, along with other sensations are just the pick of the mountain.
As mentioned above, the Batpure turned out a really nice surprise, leading the editorial ReMusic to set up a test with a battery of TakeT products, to be exact by putting together the supertweeter Batpro II and the woofer-hi-definitioner WHDpure, already kindly provided by the European importer, the French CERES Electronique. I'm hyped up about the idea of installing these components in my listening system. Another summer of intense work is at the door-steps. You, in the meantime, should anticipate the times and get yourself a pair of TakeT Batpure. Just for the price of a dinner out, it will be like getting two new loudspeakers for your home.
Features declared by the manufacturer
SPL - sound pressure level and frequency / efficiency range: 20kHz-150kHz and approximately 70dB / 1m
Maximum holding voltage: 150V
Mass: about 1g
Impedance: infinite = 4kOhm - DC = 100kHz, minimum load for the amplifier due to high impedance
Official European dealer: to the CERES Electronique website
Official current price in Europe: 52.17 EUR
Associated equipment: to Giuseppe's "MinGius" Trotto audio system
