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Heil AMT speakers

73.223.126.3
Posted on June 29, 2020 at 09:52:07
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 3002
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 ESS speakers, with the Heil AMT tweeters, first came out in the mid-70s. My college roommate bought a pair, and they had much more presence and projection than the AR-6s we had been using prior to that. But I never really saw the Heil system being used elsewhere, and thought it was one of those technologies that time had bypassed.

Until now, it seems. I saw the recent review of the Audiovector R3 Arrete in TAS, and yep, there was the unmistakable contour of an Heil AMT at the top -the speaker was very favorably reviewed by Andrew Quint, who praised, among other qualities, the transparency of the highs. And, I have noticed that the higher-end Wharfedale lines also use them. I did a quick google search, and didn't find others manufacturers, but curious to know if this is a trend, or if AMTs have always been there, and I just didn't know.

 

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and even DIY, posted on July 13, 2020 at 21:11:52
LtMandella
 the circuit




 

Heil AMT-1 speakers, posted on July 1, 2020 at 11:56:34
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15387
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 i remember them as having a significant peak at ~ 10kHz (then CPS). that and the flabby bass made me leave the room every time.

it took decades of AMT abstinence to be able to accept them again. maybe the golden ears were part of that, then my friend Paul Squillo was selling custom speakers with a large format amt that crossed over at 500Hz with two 12" eminence woofers that was a revelation for me. the dynamic performance was also a big plus.

it's encouraging to see the AMTs in so many makers products but i would love to see the large format amt come to fore to fully take advantage of not having a crossover in the midrange.




...regards...tr

 

Back in '75 the shop I had ordered some Sansui(grrrrrr) speakers from, posted on June 30, 2020 at 15:51:33
Road Warrior
Audiophile

Posts: 21653
Location: Dallas
Joined: August 31, 2004
 lent me some Heils. Damn fine if you ask me. Sadly, my Sansui's eventually arrived and I had to return the Heils. As Fremer would say, the difference wasn't subtle. Some criticized the bass as being flabby, nope. It was just, substantial, exactly how I liked it.
----------------------

"E Burres Stigano?"


 

How many of you have actually heard a Heil tweeter? Or own one?, posted on June 30, 2020 at 14:57:58
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 3002
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 Curious to confirm if my 40 year old (!) impression is correct.....

The hypothesis is - an AMT-class tweeter enhances transparency and presence. All other things being equal, of course.

When things settle down a bit - I want to audition the Audiovector R3 at a local dealer - Audiovision of SF carries them.

 

I own a variation..., posted on July 18, 2020 at 14:28:46
Waxxy
Audiophile

Posts: 2648
Joined: July 19, 2011
Contributor
  Since: November 22, 2011
 ...and would say that your memories are correct. It's certainly one of the best tweeter implementations that I've heard.

ELAC 310ce



 

I own two, posted on July 7, 2020 at 17:49:03
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 One for each channel. (link below)

I'd say your impression of the AMT is correct.

 

RE: I own two, posted on July 13, 2020 at 12:39:28
Capt. Z
Audiophile

Posts: 1272
Location: Mountains of NC
Joined: February 13, 2000
 I was just getting ready to post the same.

 

RE: Legacy, posted on June 30, 2020 at 07:25:44
jaynemo
Audiophile

Posts: 1881
Location: Connecticut
Joined: February 7, 2003
 see link

 

RE: Heil AMT speakers, posted on June 29, 2020 at 19:43:45
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4306
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 Heil speakers came out in the mid 70s, mainly only as tweeters. This is almost still true with one exception I know of. Check Arionaudio.com. They make almost full range AMT speakers crossed over to dipole woofers at 125 Hz(bookshelf crosses around 300 Hz). Highly recommended. Not cheap but sold direct and super deals.

 

Developing quite a list, posted on June 29, 2020 at 14:58:11
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 3002
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 ESS was granted an exclusive license originally - that patent must be long expired, I am guessing.

Audiovector
Burmeister
ESS (looks like they are still around)
Legacy
Martin-Login
Wharfedale

 

Add Monitor Audio to the list, posted on July 15, 2020 at 11:11:24
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 3002
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 The MPD tweeter is their own implementation of the Heil technology.

 

Add Elac to the list, posted on June 30, 2020 at 11:57:12
Brian H P
Audiophile

Posts: 1291
Location: Oregon
Joined: December 18, 2012
 See link.

 

And Parts Express, for DIYers, posted on June 30, 2020 at 12:10:10
Brian H P
Audiophile

Posts: 1291
Location: Oregon
Joined: December 18, 2012
 Four models, from a little dinky one fit only as a supertweet above 5kHz, to the big "pro" one quite similar to the original Heil.

Well before the current proliferation of AMT designs, Aurum Cantus offered their "aero striction" model, and Eton offered a rather pricey dipole version. I'm sure there were a few others.

 

RE: Heil AMT speakers, posted on June 29, 2020 at 14:41:50
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3537
Joined: April 23, 2007
 I have the upgraded music system in my Porsche....Burmeister that uses the Heil speakers. Sounds good in the garage, but as soon as you drive the car the motor noise swamps it.

 

Never Hear an ESS Speaker..., posted on June 29, 2020 at 14:33:53
Sebrof
Audiophile

Posts: 634
Location: AusTX
Joined: July 12, 2002
 ...but I always read that their downfall was the mid/woofer in spite of the very good AMT tweeter.
I have a pair of DIY speakers that I ran Heil AMTs with for years, then changed to Beyma AMTs (TPL-150) that I still use today. If I needed to go back to the Heils for some reason I wouldn't be too upset, they're pretty good IMO.

 

RE: Heil AMT speakers, posted on June 29, 2020 at 14:04:41
goldenthal
Audiophile

Posts: 1001
Location: Ontario
Joined: March 28, 2003
 AMT variants persist & recently flourish -- something to do with patent expiration perhaps? To my ears, the original AMT was an excellent-sounding tweeter (new versions may be even better). I've not had any opportunity to hear one well blended, though, and that was not accomplished in Heil's own AMT-1. The thought of such beckons (like the thought of a non-beaming unfussy electrostat).

Jeremy

 

That confirms my impression, posted on June 30, 2020 at 15:20:23
Vegman70
Audiophile

Posts: 217
Location: N.E. Ohio
Joined: February 20, 2016
 Had the ESS Heil AMT-1s way back when. The tweeter was amazing, but didn't blend well with the woofer. Got to be so annoying that I sold them.

 

RE: Heil AMT speakers, posted on June 29, 2020 at 11:01:49
jaynemo
Audiophile

Posts: 1881
Location: Connecticut
Joined: February 7, 2003
 They really never went away. Also my Legacy Focus SE also employs an AMT, Bill D of Legacy a big Heil fan...

 

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