hobbyists's views for hobbyists
Decca London Ribbon Tweeter

Do you use the DECCA London Ribbon horn tweeters or super tweeters? Or do you still have a set of the original Stanley Kelly ribbon tweeters? Or, maybe you are just curious about these products?

At left the original Decca London Ribbon with the metal horn.

Read about how these ribbon speakers work and about the possibility to make new ribbons of aluminum household foil and repair these extraordinary ribbon speakers yourself.

At left the Decca Super Tweeter

STANLEY KELLY

The ribbon loudspeaker as it was developped and commercialised by Stanley Kelly was the Kelly 30 with a relatively small horn. The rectangular mouth of it was positioned vertically.

Stanley Kelly's design was taken over by DECCA who manufactured the DK 30 (=Decca Kelly 30) as pictured on the left.

From there the bigger Decca London Ribbon tweeter was developed.

ACCORDION (HARMONICA)

The ribbon assembly consists of a frame and a strip that is folded like an accordion. It is very thin. DECCA used to advertise with the phrase "1/10th of a human hair".

POWER HANDLING

The ribbon has a very low mass and a very small excursion. The power handling is therefore very low: 30 Watts. Too much power will break the thin aluminum. Without a horn it can be used from 7 kHz (2.2 uF in series) as the DECCA Super Tweeter shows.

ADAPTATION

The ribbon has a very low resistance of about 0.7 Ohm (depending on the mass of the aluminum it varies slightly). In order to make it work a transformer is necessary. The primary windings that connect to the amplifier should have an impedance of 8 or 16 Ohms; those were the values that were used in the nineteen fifties and sixties and DECCA supplied both versions.

The secondary coil connects to the ribbon and this coil is wound of very thick and flat wire. Efficiency, frequency response and distortion levels depend on the quality of the transformer, the magnet and the way the ribbon is combined with other units.

Constructing a ribbon loudspeaker with a higher efficiency is of course possible when using a stronger magnet and a thicker aluminum membrane (strip) and the appropriate transformer. But such a ribbon speaker would be suitable for use as a upper midrange unit that could be topped by a dome tweeter or a ring radiator to reproduce high and ultra high frequencies. As in dome tweeters the thickness of the membrane determines the detail also the ribbon has to be very thin, "one seventh of a human hair".

I have owned loudspeaker systems that incorporated the London Ribbon high frequency loudspeaker and the sound reproduction is exceptional because the Decca Ribbon was - I was told - for a long time one of the two existing high frequency transducers that can reproduce a square wave.

AUDAX TW8 B

The other one was the AUDAX TW8 with aluminum diaphragm well protected by a grid. The maximum power handling is 20 Watt connected via a 2.2 uF capacitor, crossover frequency: 8 kHz. Efficiency is 92.7 dB. (Image and curves taken from the AUDAX catalog of 1973.)

Both the Decca and the Audax produce a very precise and correct sound which is achieved nowadays by tweeters that have metal coated membranes/diaphragms. If compared to a soft dome tweeter, the soft dome is less precise but friendly to the ear whereas metal domes and ribbens do sound very pure. Naturally a correct phase must be achieved.

VINTAGE

Several years ago I bought a pair. But when a friend and I measured the efficiency we were surprised because the impedance did not measure 16 or 8 Ohms but showed a value far above 20 Ohms. Understandably efficiency was very low: 81 dB. 

In order to improve the efficiency of the loudspeaker a new transformer should be made. But since that is quite an expensive affair another friend suggested that he would see if the primary coil could be used partially in order to have a value of 8 Ohms.

Finally he came up with a value of 4 Ohms and an efficiency of about 91 dB which would make the speaker suitable for working together with modern high efficiency units. (At the time I was using  8" woofers, 2 per enclosures which have an impedance of 4 Ohms.) 

When we checked the distortion of the modified ribbon speaker we found that the value was not higher than before. 

HORN

By connecting the ribbon speaker to a horn efficiency, power handling and frequency response will be influenced. The shape and size of the horn determine in what way the sound generated by the ribbon is coupled to the air. 

You all know the importance of a wide frequency response in audio. Quality preamplifiers used to have a bandwidth of about 300.000 Hz. Linear digital media (CD's and CD-players) actually should have a sampling frequency of 400.000 Hz. in order to have the same resolution as the open reel studio recorder as Tim de Paravicini said.

A wide frequency band is necessary for the reproduction of a square wave. Although square waves do not occur in music they are indicative for a good transient response which you can hear in symphonic music and jazz, music that is played on acoustic instruments. 

Measurements (left) as given in the original Decca brochure.

DECCA + McIntosh + Thorens

The image above is of a true vintage audiophile set. Vintage because of the McIntosh integrated amplifier and the use of the Decca London Ribbon horn tweeter and Decca Bass chassis in a DIY cabinet.

The records are played on a simple Thorens TD-160 with original Thorens arm. The set is owned by Ralf Löffler from Germany who sent several images to me. I edited these images, derived the working of the boxes, and made a few drawings to give insight in the functioning of the loudspeaker systems. The enclosures are not originally made by Decca.

Nevertheless these speakers are worth an investigation as the woofers are also horn loaded. In this set along the principle of the Schmacks horn, without the larger part (mouth) on one side as in the original Schmacks horn.

The enclosures have the original Decca bass units which were designed by Decca Special Products, reference DI 8 OHM (740295 is as I understand the serial number). They were to team up with the London Ribbon loudspeaker via the special crossover network which provided a gradually increasing slope so that the Ribbon reproducers could easily be used from 1000 Hz. on without being damaged.

It is not yet known if Ralf uses the Decca crossover network or a different filter.
The boxes measure 85 (H) x 61 (B) x 52 (D) cm. (33.4 x 24 x 20.4 inches).
In several images below you can see the Decca filter, the specifications, images of the Decca woofer, the box opened at the rear, how the unused chambers of the box are damped to prevent unwanted resonances. Pictured is also the flow of the sound in the boxes generated by the woofer. Finally there are two drawings showing the configuration of the boxes constructed by Löffler.

EXTENDED

Loudspeaker systems perform more naturally if the tweeter has an extended frequency band. The DECCA literature of the nineteen seventies mentions a response that is practically flat up to 40.000 Hz. after which the response weakens several dB's and continues to reach the 80.000 Hz. mark.

The dimensions of the horn determine the lower cutoff frequency. The mouth opening of the  DECCA horn measures 14.9 by 28.1 cm (the surface of the mouth opening is 418 cm2) and makes it possible to use the London Ribbon from 1000 Hz. on.

Essentially the London Ribbon can be used in a 2 way system. But generally a higher crossover frequency of about 3000 or even higher is recommended to avoid coloration.

SOURCES

In the days of valve amplifiers with low output power the power handling of 20 Watt and the efficiency of 87 dB were no exceptional values. Although many designers strive for a higher efficiency, this route is being abandoned nowadays by many manufacturers of high end loudspeaker systems like Avalon in the US  That is possible because of the nature of PCM. Digital sources have strong dynamics and designers work on "slimming" the reproduction in order to avoid a heavy sound reproduction. 
If one strives for an efficiency of around 86 dB, the Decca London Ribbon can be used. But the ratio of 91 dB for a modified ribbon speaker is welcome of course.

Another Decca Special Product loudspeaker system was the Decca Kardioid. Jason Clark from Great Britain sent images and details about this 2-way loudspeaker.

• The first speaker jointly developed by Decca Special Products Division and Stanley Kelly.
• It utilises the Kelly Mk II HF ribbon with acoustic lens, mounted vertically
• It is combined with Decca DK 1 12" bass unit
• Romagna Reproducers crossover CO/2/15 (crossover frequency is 2,500Hz)
  Frequency response: 40Hz–20kHz
• Measurements: H914mm × W419mm × D330mm (36" × 16.5" × 13")
• Medium teak finish with black (leather-like) bevel surrounded by a bright metal trim.
• The baffle fabric is tygan.
• The baffle is solid with cut-outs for the speakers and a rectangular (port) slot below the bass unit.
• Built out of 19mm dense particle board like material, with a central brace from front to back.
• The enclosure is largely filled with original fibreglass-type material, without filling the space between the bass unit and port.
• The price was 47 guineas when released; approximately £50, or approximately £750 in todays money
  

Jason Clark: "I have them on the end of a Leak Stereo 30 Plus amplifier (from around 1970), Leak Stereofetic FM tuner, Pioneer PL-41A turntable and Technics SL-PS770A CD player."

There is an archived review in Gramophone magazine: http://alturl.com/tn6nq but it can possibly only be viewed if you have a subscription to Gramophone.

MORDAUNT SHORT

The qualities of the Decca London Ribbon made it an interesting tweeter to be combined with other transducers. The engineers of Mordaunt Short designed a two-way system using Kef B200 units and named their systems MS 737 which was manufactured from approximately 1974 to 1976.

The cabinet measures 33"x17"x12" (84 x 43 x 30 cm.), and has a 1.75" plinth (4.5 cm). The weight of the cabinet was 62 lb. (about 28 kg.).

Earlier a two-way system was designed by Decca with their Decca low frequency loudspeaker. And there was the Decca Volt loudspeaker system. The DIY version was designed by David Lyth. (The original filter is copyright David Lyth.)

If the Decca London Ribbon is part of a 2-way system, it is important to choose the woofer and the volume of the woofer's cabinet (loading) in such a way as to bring about a firm and detailed mid band. Otherwise it is possible to have a midband that does not connect well to the London Ribbon. In that case the sound becomes rather weak, has not sufficient dynamics.

But that is not all. Careful damping of the enclosure is also a must. David Lyth pointed out that the woofer should have a dispersion pattern (lobe) akin to the Decca London Ribbon. That is why he used the Volt BM-250. The filter he designed has a crossover frequency of 2.8 kHz. He states in his article in HI-FI NEWS from November 1982, that the efficiency of the complete system is 90 dB.
His filter and the other filters on this page may give you some ideas when and if you plan to incorporate Decca London Ribbon or Kelly DK30 transducers in a two or three way loudspeakeers system.

PASSIVE FILTERING

Power handling was 45 Watts. The crossover has 18 dB slopes for the Decca and 12 dB for the Kef units.
The crossover frequency is 3500 Hz. The price was £216.76 in 1975. (Thanks to Colin Royle from Great Britain for sending the images of the MS 737 and of the diagram of the crossover network, and for the details.)

The frequency characteristic let you decide what the best crossover frequency can be. The measurement was done with the microphone at 1 meter on axis (in the heart of the horn) and 20 kHz. as upper measurement limit. Although the frequency band extends to 40.000 Hz. at about -3dB, the overall characteristic extends to 80.000 Hz. at - 10 dB. (Measurements from the documentation of the late Jan Th. Endenburg, engineer, creator of the Engasound 3 KF.)

See the overall curve

The polar diagram shows the measurement of 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 15.000 and 20.000 Hz. The dispersion at 2 kHz. and 5 kHz. is more than 60 degrees and is excellent. At 10 kHz. and 15 kHz. it is about 40 degrees. Only at 20 kHz. the dispersion is narrowed down to 30 degrees. The microphone was positioned at 1 meter in front of the Ribbon Tweeter, on axis. (Measurements from the documentation of the late Jan Th. Endenburg, engineer, creator of the Engasound 3 KF.)

See the larger image

EFFECTIVE COMBINATION

You can build a high performance loudspeaker system with this ribbon speaker, but only if you use the ribbon effectively. Since the efficiency is rather low, you best alter the impedance in order to raise the efficiency by several dB. The efficiency will be kept high by using classic filter sections of 12 or 18 dB which are straightforward. Do not add corrective circuits. They are really not necessary. They will lower the efficiency.

It is important to optimize the volumes of the units for the low frequency register and the midrange band in relation to the performance of the ribbon speaker. Too large volumes of woofer and midrange will make the high frequencies soft and sometimes weak. If the woofer has a Q of 0.71 and the midrange the same value or above, chances are that the tweeter will add to the realism of the music with good transients.

ENGASOUND 3KF

A Dutch loudspeaker system was designed with this ribbon and became very famous.
It was built by the late Jan Endenburg from Haarlem in The Netherlands. He introduced his original system (which bore the name 3KF) at the Firato Audio Fair of 1965. He then used the smaller, vertical Kelly Ribbon tweeter.

For the low frequencies up to 600 Hz. he had chosen a 12" Fane woofer which was followed by a 5" (10 cm) unit of the same manufacturer.
During the years he improved the 3KF and in the mid nineteen seventies he used for woofer the Fane 17BF122/17GLR which was followed by the Fane 501 (5") midrange unit.

The London Ribbon had its crossover frequency around 3200 Hz. Until the end of the nineteen seventies Jan Endenburg manufactured and optimized each and every pair that was ordered by music lovers and audiophiles alike. The sound quality was then what you hear nowadays with modern 87 dB high-end loudspeaker system which cost a fortune, like the Avalon systems, but then with an extended frequency band.
The reproduction was even more phenomenal in the nineteen seventies when he added two Janis W1 Subwoofers and two Janis Interphase Cross Overs. See also the Active System page.

The earliest 3KF loudspeaker systems had the Decca Kelly Ribbon vertical horn. Then the "sizzling" Ionofane tweeter was incorporated. As this was a more expensive solution the 3 KF was also available with the Decca London Ribbon.

In order to keep the efficiency high, the filter was very simple and straightforward and its functionality was assisted by a very effective and meticulously applied damping of the extremely sturdy cabinet, filled with Australian sheeps wool.

Phase coherence was established by placing the small midrange under an angle of about 35 degrees. The woofer's excursion was controlled by a mechanical brake on the left and right. This brake also influenced the directivity in a positive way.

At left a drawing of the front of the 1974 version of the 3KF loudspeaker system. Typical features: 1. heavy, non resonant cabinet construction, 2. mid range unit leaning back for optimum phase, 3. part of the woofer cone is covered by a wooden panel with a "slot" which gives directivity to the frequencies up to about 600 Hz. while at the same time restricting the cone excursion (X max) to avoid lumpy bass rendition. 4. damping material used is Dr. Baily's, not stacked away but loosely sewed by hand into sheets which hang from the ceiling of the woofer compartment and fill the entire space. This translates itself in controlled and natural bass, a firm yet limpid mid range (Fane 501/601), and neat high frequencies (Decca London Ribbon). Crossover frequencies were approx. 600 Hz. (later to be changed in 450 Hz.) and 3000 Hz.

Because the appropriate woofers are no longer available it is possible to fit a 12" woofer like Kef B 300 B (if that one is available) into the 100 liter compartment (87 dB efficiency). Or you should find an equivalent with parameters that come close to the Fane units that were in use at the time. Some hobbyists just screw units from a different make on the front baffle when they need a replacement for whatever system they are repairing and they keep the more or less original filter connected. These "re-constructed" systems do of course not deliver the original high end sound as the designer intended it to be. Filters do behave differently when the impedance is altered. New drivers need recalculating the crossover network. If the mid range unit and the ribbon high frequency unit are no longer incorporated and have been replaced by units and dome tweeters with different frequency characteristics and impedance curves, the sound is not at all what it should be. That is why you may come accross a less favorable comment on a (modified) system.

COMBINATIONS FROM FRANCE In most loudspeaker systems the Deccas were used in a passive configuration like in the systems designed by Jean-Claude Fourrière from France. He designed two systems in 1976 when he had his firm Valois Distribution. (Later he was the designer of Audio Référence loudspeakers and finally developed the ALH full range plasma loudspeakers.) Fourrière used the Decca London Ribbon from 2000 Hz. on. Decca Special Products in England authorized him to use the denomination DECCA. He designed two systems. One was the DECCA AL 2000. It was a 3-way system with complementary units from the Audax catalog (HD24 and HIF13).
He also designed a 2-way system at the time: the DECCA AL1500 with a crossover frequency of 1500 Hz. The panels of the cabinets of both models were heavily damped with sheets of lead. The result was that these speakers performed with a high level of precision. The panels damped with lead also obstructed a strong transient performance in the mid band.

USING AN ACTIVE CROSSOVER

An internationally known high-end combination was Mark Levinson's HQD-system. Each loudspeaker system consisted of a Hartley subwoofer (H), two Quad ESL electrostatic loudspeaker panels (Q), and one Decca London Ribbon (D) in a d'Apollito configuration. The Hartley subwoofer (not shown here) completed the system. If you want to see what the system really looks like - but now with the famous Sequerra tweeter, visit the Sound Art l Iwakura Alchi Japan Page.

Instead of the Hartley subwoofer many audiophiles used the Janis W1 subwoofer plus Janis Interphase Crossover with amplifier incorporated.

When using the Decca Ribbon speakers or any other relative fragile high frequency transducer (like a piezo electric unit) in an active configuration, it is common practice to insert a capacitor in series to avoid damage of the ribbon or membrane. A single capacitor keeps correct phase as the slope is then 6 dB/octave.

The value of the capacitor has to be determined in relation to the chosen crossover frequency of the active filter. The -3 dB point should be lower than the frequency of the active x-over. Some experimentation will let you determine the best value to protect the tweeter and keep the sound coherent. If a 12 dB slope (capacitor and coil) is the choice, than also experiments will guide you to the best configuration.

 

The original London Ribbon was a development of DECCA Special Products.
Up till 1977 the horns were of aluminum, but from then on were made of plastic.