There is no question that I pefer the RAAL to the other ribbon tweeters Jim has tried. But that's based in large part on instant A-B comparisons. At last year's Capital Audio Fest, I played the Philharmonic 3's with the RAAL and the Philharmonic 1's with the Fountek (which I find very similar to the LCY's and G2's), and the reaction was mixed. Some definitely preferred the Founteks. They had more content in the treble region assoicated with the sssssssssssss sound. People who preferred the Founteks found the RAAL a little bland. I agree with Jim that RAAL's are dead accurate, and that might come across as bland on some material and to some people. But the bottom line is that
it isn't worth the drama and cost to retrofit a Salk speaker with a G2 or LCY with the RAAL. We're talking modest improvements (and only to the ears of some people) at a very high cost.
I completely understand your points here, but if a retrofit is possible, some of us may really want to consider it. Besides, it's very tough to have Jim Salk and Dennis Murphy state the RAAL is that good, and I don't have them. Again, I've heard the RAAL's in 4 different speakers. I didn't like any of them, but I can't help thinking I'm missing something. Although, there is the off chance you are all just wrong.
Seriously though, I'd love to know what it would take. Retrofitting the driver doesn't seem tough at all for those of us that are capable on some level with tools. Swapping out, or retrofitting the crossovers shouldn't be a difficult task either. So that just leaves the cost/benefit ratio. Isn't that for the buyer to decide? I know most Salk owners value your opinions very highly. I certainly do. But please understand that the smallest details really matter to some of us, and the money might be worth modifying our custom made speakers.
Personally, I'd love to try the retrofit. After all, it would be reversible, and I'll bet selling the parts if I didn't like things would be rather easy.