During crossover construction for CNO-T25 (T25C003 tweeter), I decided to take a fresh look at the CNO crossover, thus an mkII version, providing an overall more balanced presentation compared to the "up-front" tuning of the first version. From the feedback on first version, some people like this tuning, despite its elevated upper mid presentation, which may be very engaging, but leaves a few recordings on the shelf. The version shown here will make a flat midrange presentation and both T29CF001 and T29CF002 (Crescendo) tweeters can be used with minor changes to tweeter attenuation.

The T29CF002 Crescendo tweeter is one of the most expensive dome tweeters available. Hence the name, "cost-no-object", for this modest 24 liter floorstander.

These new SEAS drivers have classic paper cones, coated on the rear and applied a rough Nextel coating on the front. Further specifications at the SEAS website http://www.seas.no/. The finish of the drivers is second to none. SEAS is also a true follower of fashion and the magnets are covered with soft rubber boots.

Having a pair of suitable test cabs I only needed to make some new front panels for the drivers. My test cabs have a max. volume of 31 litres and this made some deep bass from the W18, although not too well defined. View cab simulation below. Closing off the lower sections of the cabs, I have some 24 litres left, and this is better. Pure math dictates 17 litres, QB3 alignment, but the W18NX001s can easily handle 24 litres without loosing control and we get better low-end extension. The cab width is a modest 200 mm. View details below.

Before going into details, a little on the sound. To my ears the sound from these nextel coated drivers fall between the SEAS Prestige CA and EXCEL magnesium drivers. This may suggest sound quality inferior to the magnesium cones. It isn't. It's as good as the magnesium cones, only different due to improved responsiveness. I don't think they beat the magnesium cones in terms of neutrality, but these Nextel coated paper cones provide a very neutral, yet vivid sound. The best of both worlds? Well, only your ears can tell.
The Nextel drivers were not only made to look good, but also provide a sound clearly distinguishable from the average. High-end drivers built on classic virtues. As always we apply to the law of diminishing returns when we buy expensive stuff. Small improvements may cost small fortunes. I think these nextel units are the best sounding drivers SEAS has ever built.

A lot of simulation work went ahead of actual set-up and fine-tuning, and both parallel and series crossovers were tried. The crossover shown below is a series crossover and was finally chosen for presentation. Due to drivers' intrinsic performance and baffle geometry, we have a bump in the 700-1000 Hz range and an LCR circuit gently equalises the response here.
For newcomers to series crossovers: These cannot be bi-wired. Read about series crossovers here: http://sound.westhost.com/parallel-series.htm#3.1