Hybrid Audio Imagine Series Tweeters

Intrinsic Material Damping

Silk textile exhibits exceptional internal damping characteristics (loss factor η ≈ 0.10-0.15) that suppress unwanted resonances across the audible high-frequency spectrum. Unlike rigid metal domes (titanium, aluminum) that display sharp breakup modes above 18-20 kHz—audible as harshness and listening fatigue—silk's fibrous structure dissipates vibrational energy through intermolecular friction within the textile weave.

This intrinsic damping translates to smoother frequency response through the critical 8-16 kHz range where human hearing is most sensitive to timbral coloration. The result: cymbals, hi-hats, and vocal sibilants reproduce with natural texture rather than metallic edge.

Impregnation Treatment Technology

Raw silk textile requires chemical impregnation to optimize stiffness-to-weight ratio and provide environmental protection in automotive applications. Hybrid Audio's proprietary impregnation process:

• Increases dome stiffness without adding excessive mass (critical for extended high-frequency response)
• Provides moisture resistance against humidity, condensation, and temperature cycling
• Maintains textile's acoustic damping properties (unlike heavy polymer coatings that stiffen excessively)
• Ensures long-term dimensional stability preventing dome deformation over years of thermal stress

The treatment delivers automotive durability with audiophile sonic character—a balance unattainable with untreated organic materials or purely synthetic alternatives.

High-Loss Rubber Surround Engineering

The I1's high-loss rubber suspension complements the silk dome's damping properties by controlling edge mode resonances—standing waves that form at the dome-surround junction above 10 kHz. Standard foam or cloth surrounds lack sufficient internal damping, allowing these edge modes to color response with peaks and dips.

High-loss rubber's visco-elastic properties dissipate edge vibrations as heat, extending smooth response to the I1's 22 kHz upper limit. This engineering detail separates professional-grade tweeters from budget alternatives that sacrifice upper-treble linearity.

Ferrofluid Cooling & Damping

The I1's voice coil operates immersed in ferrofluid—a magnetic liquid containing suspended nanoparticles. This engineering feature provides dual benefits:

• Thermal Management: Ferrofluid conducts heat away from voice coil to motor structure, increasing power handling and preventing thermal compression during sustained high-level playback
• Mechanical Damping: Fluid viscosity damps voice coil resonances that would otherwise color frequency response, contributing to the I1's smooth off-axis behavior

Ferrofluid technology is typically reserved for premium tweeters—its inclusion in the Imagine I1 demonstrates Hybrid Audio's commitment to reference-grade engineering at accessible pricing.

Acoustic Isolation

• Zero rear radiation: Sealed design prevents back-wave leakage that would otherwise cause comb-filtering with front-wave radiation
• Placement independence: Can be mounted in shallow door panels, thin A-pillars, or directly on dashboard without acoustic penalty
• No enclosure required: Unlike open-back tweeters requiring minimum rear volume, I1 performs identically in any mounting depth

Installation Versatility

Sealed-back architecture enables installation locations impossible with open-back designs:

• Thin dashboard locations with minimal behind-panel depth
• A-pillar pods with restricted rear clearance
• Custom kick panels without dedicated tweeter chambers
• Motorcycle fairing applications (Imagine I57-2V2 Harley-Davidson® integration)
• Sail panel locations adjacent to window mechanisms

This flexibility allows optimized acoustic positioning without compromise for mechanical packaging constraints.

Passive Crossover Configuration

Imagine Component Set Integration:

• Built-in crossover: Mylar capacitor affixed to midbass frame
• No external crossover box: Reduces complexity and potential failure points
• Tweeter connects to midbass terminals: Simplified two-wire system
• Polarity reversal option: Swap red/black to adjust tweeter level +3 dB (6-10 kHz boost)

Recommended High-Pass: 2,000-2,500 Hz @ 12-18 dB/octave (optimized for Imagine midbass integration)

Active Crossover Configuration

DSP-Controlled System Integration:

Advanced Configuration: When using I1 with custom midbass or midrange drivers, active crossovers enable precise phase alignment and amplitude matching impossible with passive networks.

STRONG BUY RECOMMENDATION

Best value silk dome tweeter under $200

Imagine Component Owners

• Converting Imagine coaxials (I51-2, I61-2, I69-2) to component mode
• Replacing damaged/lost I1 tweeters from existing Imagine systems
• Upgrading from factory tweeters while keeping Imagine midbass
• Need sealed-back design for space-constrained installations
• Value silk dome tonality over metal dome brightness

Expected satisfaction: 9/10

Custom System Builders

• Building active 2-way systems with DSP crossovers (2-2.5 kHz HPF)
• Seeking audiophile silk dome character at budget-friendly pricing
• Need compact neodymium motor for shallow-mount applications
• Appreciate three mounting options for installation flexibility
• Running moderate power (20-50W RMS per channel)

System integration rating: 8/10 (verify crossover compatibility)

Competition SPL Applications

• Power handling limited to 50W RMS (suitable for SQ but not extreme SPL)
• Silk dome optimized for accuracy, not maximum output capability
• For high-power systems (>75W), consider compression drivers or pro tweeters
• Small 25mm diameter prioritizes detail over absolute volume

SPL competition rating: 6/10 (SQ competition: 9/10)

Hybrid Audio Imagine Series I1 Tweeters

✓ 25mm Silk Dome Design

✓ Neodymium Motor with Ferrofluid

✓ Three Mounting Options Included

✓ Sealed-Back Architecture