Silk Dome vs Titanium Tweeters

Two ways to build a dome

A dome tweeter's diaphragm is a shallow dome driven around its edge. The dome material decides much of the tweeter's character. Silk (and silk-composite textile) domes are light and self-damping, which suits extended listening at moderate levels. Titanium domes are stiffer and survive higher power and harsher environments, which is why titanium dominates professional and high-output designs.

What this catalogue publishes

Both materials are present in the specified models. On the silk side, the TSP-166 publishes a silk cone with a neodymium magnet (30 W RMS, 92 dB, response published as 35 Hz–20 kHz), and the TS35 a silk cone in an aluminium housing (40 W RMS, 103 dB). On the titanium side, the specified HST series — HST-46P, HST-44G, HST105-1B and HST107-2S — all publish titanium diaphragms with ratings from 25 W to 90 W RMS and sensitivities from 99 dB to 105 dB, and the GD022 compression driver publishes a titanium diaphragm at 106 dB. One caution from the tables: the TSP-066 is titled a silk dome tweeter, but its published specification lists the cone material as PET — when a title and a table differ, the table is the document to specify against.

Choosing between them

• Factory-replacement and comfort-oriented programmes: silk dome, for its damped top end at modest power.
• High-output car builds and PA: titanium, for power handling and consistency at level.
• Outdoor or harsh-environment use: titanium's robustness usually decides it.
• Either way, compare the full published table — voice-coil size, magnet and sensitivity move the result as much as the dome material does.