[launche]

Looking for opinions on how the Gallo CDT II Tweeter compares to other leading tweeters like those from Seas, Scan Speak, Vifa etc...
Is it considered similiar to a ribbon tweeter, such as the G2 and so on?

[Se7en]

I'll say in advanced that this is probably not the fairest of comparisons, but I do prefer my broken in pair of VMPS "FSTs" to the couple of non-broken in CDTs I've heard.

This is not to say that they were not pleasant to listen to, they were, but the break in requirements were a bit much for me.

I cannot speak to the other brands you listed here, but Dynaudio and Morel can also make nice tweeters (if you're shopping).

[TheChairGuy]

I thought I read somewhere, long ago, that the original inspiration for Gallo's CDT tweeter was the Linaeum tweeter made several years ago by that company in Portland, and later licensed to Radio Shack by the millions. 

The CDT is made of superior materials, but apparently similar designs.

[PaulFolbrecht]

I own a pair of Ref 3s and have a pair of Hyperion 938s on the way.

The latter have a fairly conventional tweet, tho it is horn-loaded and supposed to be very good. 

I'll be sure to post thoughts comparing the two at some point (speakers as a whole & the tweets).

I have always loved the Gallo tweeters and consider them to be one of the best features of the speaker.

[nathanm]

The one thing the CDT does that I've never heard any other speaker do is that it "throws" treble frequencies in such a wide pattern that the speaker actually sounds okay from behind!  You can walk all around it and still get some pretty good top end.  The effect was less so on the Ref3s (since they are narrower), but on the Solos it's very wide.  The tweeter is not as bright as I might like, but that seems endemic in my systems for some reason.  Oh, and make sure not to smoke around the CDT, you'll get it all tarnished and nasty looking.

[PaulFolbrecht]

The "tarnishing" happens regardless of smoke: it's the oxidation of the silver to silver oxide.  It's normal and inevitable.

[nathanm]

Makes sense, although mine still look pretty much like they did when I got them (silver), but another pair clearly came from a smoker's house and they were all grungy.  If nothing else, don't smoke around your hifi gear because it grosses people out when you sell it.   Or at least clean it up before you box it!

[PaulFolbrecht]

I completely concur about smoking - nobody smokes in my house!

I got what I said directly from Gallo - the used pair I bought has the beige CDTs and they said it's normal oxidation.  I'd imagine it can probably take quite awhile to form though.

[carusoracer]

I received the same answer from Gallo as well. I believe it might be related to the earlier Ref 3's. Mine are a goldish brown color.