Canary-XT2 (the Final Cut)

Canary-XT2

The Canary-XT2 is the final version of the ever popular 6-1/2″ Silver Flute W17RC38-08 and the Peerless XT25TG30-04 Ring Radiator tweeter.

I am pleased to say that after all these years, I finally got this speaker to sound right. Sounding good is only half the challenge. I was determined to accomplish that with a simple crossover. This is where the Canary-XT2 shines. It’s 1st order all the way.

Fig 1 – Silver Flute W17RC38-09 RAW Response • Baffle Width=8-1/2″

I’ll start with the Silver Flute W17RC38-08. The plot in Fig 1 is the RAW response of the W17 installed in a 13 liters bass reflex with a baffle width of 8-1/2″.

As before, there’s a series of sharp peaks in the roll-off. I would usually use a high order Low Pass for this but where’s the fun in that. My targeted crossover frequency is 2kHz.

Fig 2 – W17RC38-08 with Low Pass Filter

The Blue plot in Fig 2 is the W17 rolled off for 2kHz crossover corner frequency. For simplicity, I left the cone breakup peaks at 5kHz unattended. Hopefully, at -20dB below the fundamental, they will not interfere with the treble.

Fig 3 – Blue plot=W17RC38-08 with LPF • Peerless XT25TG30-04 with HPF

The Red plot in Fig 3 is of the Peerless XT25TG30-04 Ring Radiator tweeter with a 1st order High Pass Filter (HPF). The two drivers are crossing at my targeted frequency of 2kHz. 

Fig 4 – Canary-XT2 Passband

The Black plot in Fig 4 is the crossover passband. It shows optimum summing as no cancellations are recorded around 2kHz. 

Fig 5 – Canary-XT2 Frequency Response

Fig 5 is the final frequency response of the Canary-XT2. This is what I call a flat response. From 500Hz to 20kHz, it doesn’t deviate by more than +/- 1.5dB. Incredible. Due to limitations in my room, measurements below 500Hz are in nearfield. 

Fig 6 – Canary-XT2 Step Response

The Step Response (Fig 6) of the Canary-XT2 reveals what I’ve always complained about, the “Slowness”. The apex of the woofer clocks in at 400 microsec whereas other similar speakers is half, at 200 microsec. How much will this impact the music? Only auditioning will tell.

Fig 7 – Canary-XT2 Waterfall

The Waterfall plot in Fig 7 shows excellent performance from the Peerless XT25TG30-04. We can expect a very smooth treble in the Canary-XT2.

Fig 8 – Canary-XT2 Toneburst Energy Storage

The Toneburst plot in Fig 8 shows some unwanted energy at 1kHz to 1.5kHz. They are quite strong, lasting for about 6 msec. The ones in the treble look worse but they are actually harmless.

Fig 9 – Canary-XT2 Spectrogram

As I had anticipated, the Spectrogram (Fig 9) shows strong hot spots at 1.2kHz, lasting for more than 10 msec. I have no idea whether they will end up smearing the midrange. I hope not.

Fig 10 – Canary-XT2 Harmonic Distortion • RED plot=2nd Harmonics • VIOLET plot=3rd Harmonics

The distortion in the treble from 2kHz to 10kHz is at -55dB below the fundamental. I’m relieved to see it’s dominated by the 2nd harmonics (Red plot).

From 2kHz to 1kHz, the 3rd harmonics (Violet plot) dominates. I doubt this will be an issue because it’s not odd harmonics throughout the spectrum.

Fig 11 – Canary-XT2 Impedance

The Canary-XT2 is a super easy load for power amplifiers. Most of the time, it stays at 8Ω until at 20kHz, where it drops to 6Ω. Because of her Nominal 8Ω rating, the Canary-XT2 is suitable for chip amps designed for 8Ω loads.

Sound of Canary-XT2

I honestly did not expect to like this speaker but the Canary-XT2 won me over. She may not be the “fastest” speakers around, but she more than makes up with her other qualities.

The most outstanding feature is her smoothness in the midrange right through to 20kHz. Even after a day of listening, the soothing sensation is still there.

Fig 12 – Canary-XT2 In-Room Response

I was surprised the Canary-XT2 delivers both the upper and lower bass with enough loudness. The bass is not as tight and fast as more expensive woofers but it sounds perfectly fine.

The Black plot below 500Hz in Fig 12 is the In-Room response of the Canary-XT2. It includes my room reflections, meaning whatever room gain that I have is in the plot. Disregard the suckout at 150Hz. That’s an anomaly caused by a floor bounce in my measuring setup. The region to take note of is from 100Hz to 60Hz. They are on par or slightly more than 85dB. Bear in mind that the Canary-XT2 is in Full Space (4 pi). In a smaller room or against a back wall, the bass will be too loud.

The loudness of the bass contributes greatly to the Canary-XT2 tonal balance. This is where the Canary-XT2 beats other speakers. Her smoothness and her tonal balance.

Of all the Canary projects, I strongly recommend this version. This is the one that I got right.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements were made with the mic at 36 ins, tweeter axis. Impulse Window=5ms. No smoothing applied.