Hertz ML 280.3 Legend 35mm Car Tweeter

Improving a tweeter that's already considered a reference in car audio is not a straightforward task. You can't just change one thing and call it done — every element that affects sound has to be examined, modelled, and refined. That's exactly what Hertz did with the ML 280.3 Legend. Using FEA (Finite Element Analysis) simulation, their electro-acoustic designers optimised the Tetolon dome geometry, the face plate profile, and the rear acoustic chamber independently, then validated the results through extensive listening and measurement. The outcome is a tweeter that extends lower, disperses more evenly, and distorts less than its predecessor — a genuine evolution of a reference-class driver.

What is this Product?

The Hertz ML 280.3 Legend is a 35 mm (1.38") car audio tweeter from Hertz's flagship Legend series. It handles 180W peak power (Hi-Pass filtered at 1.8 kHz, 12 dB/oct) at 4 Ohm impedance and covers a frequency range of 1,000 Hz to 28,000 Hz. The tweeter is built around a neodymium magnet optimised with FEA simulation, a Tetolon Fiber dome also refined with FEA, a die-cast aluminium face plate with an FEA-optimised profile, a pure copper short-circuit ring for extended very high frequency response, and a CNC machined solid aluminium rear chamber sized for a 900 Hz resonance frequency. The rear chamber uses a dual-density damping system — high-density material under the dome and low-density absorbing material in the chamber — for fluid acoustic emission and controlled low-frequency damping.

Why Choose This Product?

• ✅ Flagship Legend series — Hertz's highest-tier car audio tweeter
• ✅ FEA-optimised Tetolon Fiber dome for lower distortion and improved high-frequency dispersion
• ✅ FEA-optimised die-cast aluminium face plate for improved frequency response and dispersion
• ✅ Pure copper short-circuit ring for extended very high frequency response beyond 20 kHz
• ✅ 900 Hz resonance frequency — 50% larger rear chamber volume for wide low-frequency extension
• ✅ CNC machined solid aluminium frame and rear chamber for mechanically inert, resonance-free structure
• ✅ Dual-density damping system for fluid acoustic emission and controlled low-frequency behaviour
• ✅ 28 mm (1.1") voice coil for strong motor force and high power handling in a 35 mm tweeter
• ✅ Covers 1 kHz to 28 kHz — wide enough to cross over at a low point and extend well beyond the audible range
• ✅ Designed to complete the Hertz Legend series 3-way system with the ML 1800.3 woofer and ML 700.3 midrange

Key Features

• Component Type: Tweeter — designed for use in a component or 3-way speaker system
• Dome Size: 35 mm (1.38") — large tweeter dome for extended, smooth high-frequency response
• Peak Power: 180W — rated with Hi-Pass filter at 1.8 kHz, 12 dB/oct
• Impedance: 4 Ohm — compatible with most aftermarket amplifiers and crossovers
• Frequency Response: 1,000 Hz to 28,000 Hz — wide range from low crossover point through extended ultra-high frequencies
• Voice Coil Diameter: 28 mm (1.1") — large voice coil for strong motor force and high power handling
• Magnet Type: Neodymium — FEA-optimised for utmost control and fast transient response
• Magnet Size (D × d × h): 27.8 × 3.5 × 3 mm (1.1 × 0.14 × 0.12")
• Dome Material: Tetolon Fiber — FEA-optimised geometry for lower distortion and improved dispersion
• Face Plate: Die-cast aluminium — FEA-optimised profile for improved frequency response and dispersion
• Short-Circuit Ring: Extremely pure copper — for extended very high frequency response
• Frame & Rear Chamber: CNC machined from solid aluminium block — mechanically inert, resonance-free
• Resonance Frequency (Fs): 900 Hz — 50% larger rear chamber volume than predecessor
• Damping System: High-density under dome + low-density absorbing material in rear chamber
• Weight (per tweeter): 0.10 kg (0.22 lbs)

Advanced Technologies

FEA-Optimised Tetolon Fiber Dome: The dome is the part of the tweeter that actually radiates sound, so its geometry has a direct impact on distortion and dispersion. Hertz used Finite Element Analysis simulation to model the mechanical behaviour of the Tetolon Fiber dome under real operating conditions, identifying areas where the dome was flexing in ways that introduced distortion. The geometry was then refined to minimise these flex modes, resulting in a dome that moves more as a rigid piston across a wider frequency range. The practical result is lower harmonic distortion and more even off-axis dispersion — meaning the high frequencies spread more evenly across the cabin rather than being focused in a narrow beam directly in front of the tweeter.

FEA-Optimised Die-Cast Aluminium Face Plate: The face plate is the ring that surrounds the dome and controls how sound radiates from the front of the tweeter. Its geometry affects both the frequency response and the dispersion pattern. Hertz applied FEA simulation to optimise the face plate profile, reducing diffraction effects that cause peaks and dips in the frequency response and improving the consistency of the dispersion pattern across the tweeter's operating range. The die-cast aluminium construction also adds rigidity and mass to the front baffle, reducing resonances that could colour the sound.

Pure Copper Short-Circuit Ring for Extended Very High Frequency Response: The short-circuit ring is a copper ring placed in the magnetic gap of the tweeter. As the voice coil moves, it generates a back-EMF that causes the coil's inductance to vary with frequency — a phenomenon that limits high-frequency extension and adds distortion. The copper ring acts as a short-circuit for these eddy currents, reducing inductance modulation and keeping the tweeter's impedance more consistent at very high frequencies. The result is a cleaner, more extended response above 20 kHz — which is why the ML 280.3 Legend reaches 28 kHz, well beyond the audible range, ensuring the top of the audible spectrum is reproduced without roll-off or distortion.

CNC Machined Solid Aluminium Frame and Rear Chamber (900 Hz Fs): Both the frame structure and the rear acoustic chamber of the ML 280.3 Legend are machined from a solid aluminium block rather than being cast or stamped. This gives the structure exceptional rigidity and dimensional accuracy — there are no thin walls or joints that could flex or resonate at high frequencies. The rear chamber has been sized specifically to achieve a resonance frequency (Fs) of 900 Hz, which is 50% lower than the predecessor. A lower Fs means the tweeter can be crossed over at a lower frequency without the rear chamber fighting the dome's movement, which reduces distortion in the crossover region and allows the tweeter to blend more smoothly with the midrange driver below it.

Dual-Density Damping System: The ML 280.3 Legend uses two different damping materials in two different locations. High-density damping material is placed directly underneath the dome, where it controls the dome's resonance behaviour and prevents the dome from ringing after a transient. Low-density absorbing material is used in the rear chamber, where it absorbs the rear wave from the dome without over-damping the chamber's acoustic behaviour. This combination gives the tweeter a fluid, natural acoustic emission at high frequencies while maintaining controlled, well-damped behaviour at the lower end of its operating range — exactly where the crossover region sits.

Benefits

• 🎵 High frequencies reproduced with natural clarity, detail, and spatial accuracy
• 🔊 Extended response to 28 kHz — the top of the audible range is fully covered with headroom to spare
• ⚡ Low 900 Hz Fs allows a lower crossover point for a smoother, more seamless blend with the midrange
• 🏆 Competition-grade engineering — every component optimised with FEA simulation and CNC machining
• 🔧 Mechanically inert solid aluminium structure — no resonances, no colouration from the housing
• 💎 Dual-density damping for fluid, natural high-frequency emission without harshness or ringing
• 🎯 Wide, even off-axis dispersion fills the cabin with detailed high frequencies, not just a narrow sweet spot

Who Should Buy This Product?

• Car audio enthusiasts completing a Hertz Legend series 3-way system with the ML 1800.3 Legend woofer and ML 700.3 Legend midrange
• Competition car audio participants who need a tweeter that scores on accuracy, extension, dispersion, and low distortion
• Listeners who want the absolute best high-frequency performance available in the Hertz lineup
• Anyone running a DSP or active crossover who wants a tweeter with a low enough Fs to cross over below 2 kHz without distortion
• Audiophiles who find that most car tweeters sound harsh or fatiguing at high volumes — the FEA-optimised dome and dual-density damping address exactly this problem

Technical Specifications

Why Choose Dolphin Accessories?

• ✅ 100% Genuine Products — Every product is sourced directly from authorised Hertz distributors. No counterfeits, no grey-market imports, ever.
• ✅ Expert Guidance — Our team understands competition-level system design. We can help you match the ML 280.3 Legend to the right midrange, crossover, and amplifier for your specific build.
• ✅ Pan-India Delivery — We ship to every part of India, with packaging designed to protect precision Legend series components throughout transit.
• ✅ Secure Packaging — Flagship tweeters are precision instruments. Every order is packed carefully to arrive in perfect condition, regardless of the distance.
• ✅ After-Sales Support — Questions about crossover settings, mounting angle, or system integration after your purchase? Our team is here to help.
• ✅ Trusted by Enthusiasts — From daily drivers to competition builds, thousands of car audio enthusiasts across India trust Dolphin Accessories for their upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What size is the Hertz ML 280.3 Legend tweeter?
A: The dome diameter is 35 mm (1.38"). This is a large tweeter dome, which contributes to its smooth, extended high-frequency response and wide off-axis dispersion.

Q: What is the power handling of the Hertz ML 280.3 Legend?
A: It handles 180W peak power when used with a Hi-Pass filter set at 1.8 kHz with a 12 dB/octave slope. Always use the specified high-pass filter — it protects the tweeter from low-frequency signals that could damage the dome.

Q: What frequency range does the ML 280.3 Legend cover?
A: It covers 1,000 Hz to 28,000 Hz. The 28 kHz upper limit extends well beyond the audible range, ensuring the top of the audible spectrum is reproduced without roll-off or distortion. The 1 kHz lower limit gives flexibility for low crossover points when used with a DSP or active crossover.

Q: What is the resonance frequency (Fs) of the ML 280.3 Legend and why does it matter?
A: The Fs is 900 Hz, achieved by a rear chamber that is 50% larger in volume than the predecessor. A lower Fs means the tweeter can be crossed over at a lower frequency without distortion in the crossover region. This allows a smoother, more seamless blend with the midrange driver and gives you more flexibility when setting crossover points with a DSP.

Q: What is a Tetolon Fiber dome and why is it used?
A: Tetolon Fiber is a synthetic textile material used for the tweeter dome. It combines the lightness needed for fast transient response with enough internal damping to control resonances. In the ML 280.3 Legend, the dome geometry has been further optimised with FEA simulation to minimise distortion and improve off-axis dispersion compared to a standard Tetolon dome.

Q: What does the copper short-circuit ring do?
A: The copper short-circuit ring sits in the magnetic gap and reduces inductance modulation as the voice coil moves. This keeps the tweeter's impedance more consistent at very high frequencies, reducing distortion and extending the usable frequency response beyond 20 kHz. It is one of the key reasons the ML 280.3 Legend reaches 28 kHz.

Q: Why is the frame and rear chamber machined from solid aluminium?
A: CNC machining from a solid aluminium block gives the structure exceptional rigidity and dimensional accuracy. There are no thin walls or joints that could flex or resonate at high frequencies. A mechanically inert housing means the tweeter's sound is determined entirely by the driver itself, not by the housing vibrating around it.

Q: What is the dual-density damping system in the ML 280.3 Legend?
A: The tweeter uses two different damping materials in two locations. High-density material under the dome controls dome resonance and prevents ringing after transients. Low-density absorbing material in the rear chamber manages the rear wave without over-damping the chamber. Together they give the tweeter a natural, fluid sound at high frequencies and controlled behaviour at the lower end of its range.

Q: What crossover point should I use with the Hertz ML 280.3 Legend?
A: The specified Hi-Pass filter point is 1.8 kHz at 12 dB/oct. With a DSP or active crossover, you can experiment with crossover points between 1.8 kHz and 3 kHz depending on your midrange driver and system tuning. Contact our team at Dolphin Accessories for specific crossover recommendations for your system.

Q: What speakers does the ML 280.3 Legend pair with in a 3-way system?
A: It is designed to complete the Hertz Legend series 3-way system alongside the ML 700.3 Legend midrange and the ML 1800.3 Legend woofer. This combination represents the top of the Hertz car audio lineup for competition and high-end audiophile builds.

Q: Is the Hertz ML 280.3 Legend part of the Legend series?
A: Yes, the ML 280.3 is part of Hertz's flagship Legend series, which sits at the top of the Hertz car audio lineup. Every component in the Legend series is designed to work together as a system, with matching engineering standards and voicing across the woofer, midrange, and tweeter.

Q: How do I buy the Hertz ML 280.3 Legend from Dolphin Accessories?
A: Add it to your cart and place your order online. We offer pan-India delivery with secure packaging. If you need help with system matching, crossover settings, or mounting advice, our team is ready to assist before and after your purchase.