Hertz ML 280.3 Review: The 35 mm Mille Legend Tweeter and How to Use It
Updated: Oct 6
The Hertz ML 280.3 is a Mille Legend tweeter: a 35 mm Tetolon fibre dome with a 28 mm voice coil and a neodymium magnet, rated at 92 dB, 1 kHz to 28 kHz and 180 W peak when high-passed at 1.8 kHz. It is the tweeter in Hertz's MLK 1650.3 kit, which Hertz promotes as an EISA award winner, and is sold here as a pair without crossovers. Its Indian MRP is ₹39,990. It suits builders running an active system, or completing a Legend two-way or three-way, who want the same tweeter Hertz pairs with its ML woofers and midrange. See today's price on our ML 280.3 product page.
Key takeaways
A large 35 mm dome with a 900 Hz resonance, which Hertz says allows a lower crossover point; its power rating assumes at least a 1.8 kHz, 12 dB/octave high-pass.
No crossovers are included: run it from its own DSP channel, or through a Hertz network such as the MLCX 2 TW.3.
In an article Hertz hosts, AudioReview measured a smooth response, and in the MLK 1650.3 kit it blended in without fatigue.
Mounting needs care: one reviewer had to make a bracket because the car's opening could not hold it.
Hertz ML 280.3 specifications
Specification | Hertz ML 280.3 |
|---|---|
Type | 35 mm (1.38 in) dome tweeter, pair, no crossover |
Dome | Tetolon fibre |
Voice coil | 28 mm |
Magnet | Neodymium |
Impedance | 4 Ω |
Power handling | 180 W peak (high-pass at 1.8 kHz, 12 dB/octave) |
Sensitivity | 92 dB |
Frequency response | 1 kHz – 28 kHz |
Resonance (Fs) | 900 Hz |
Moving mass | 0.4 g |
Mounting depth | 13.5 mm |
Weight | 0.10 kg |
Grilles | Included |
India MRP | ₹39,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's ML 280.3 product page and its official tech sheet. The mounting depth is dimension D on Hertz's drawing and matches our listing.
Why a big dome with a low resonance
Hertz built the ML 280.3 to reach low for a tweeter. Its rear chamber is tuned to 900 Hz, which Hertz says extends the low end and reduces distortion around the crossover, and the 35 mm dome is larger than the 29 mm dome in Hertz's Mille Pro MPK 165.3 set. Behind it sit an FEA-optimised neodymium magnet, a pure copper ring for high-frequency extension, a simulation-shaped aluminium faceplate, and a rigid aluminium frame and rear chamber that resist resonance. Dense damping sits under the dome and absorbent material fills the rear chamber.
The practical benefit is flexibility. A tweeter that is comfortable lower down can take over from a 6.5- or 7-inch woofer before the woofer becomes too directional, which helps imaging. Hertz's own MLCX 2 TW.3 network crosses it at 2.5 or 3.5 kHz.
Where it fits in a system
Passive two-way: Hertz designed the MLCX 2 TW.3 to pair the ML 280.3 with the ML 1650.3 or ML 1800.3 woofer. With the ML 1650.3, that is exactly the MLK 1650.3 kit, which supplies the woofers, tweeters and crossovers in one package, so for a passive two-way the kit is the simpler route. Hertz's MLK 700.3 kit also pairs it with the 3-inch ML 700.3 midrange.
Active: each tweeter gets its own DSP-filtered amplifier channel. Respect Hertz's rating condition, at least a 1.8 kHz high-pass at 12 dB/octave, and start higher if you plan to play loud. Our guide to why a DSP matters covers time alignment and crossover setup.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz ML 280.3
When we checked in October 2026, OnlineCarStereo had one customer review, dated April 2024. The buyer, who said they have always been a fan of neodymium tweeters, praised their power, brightness and clarity, called this one pricey but worth it, and put the build quality on a par with other premium brands. One review is not a consensus, and a DIYMobileAudio discussion of the tweeter appeared in our search but would not open.
The magazine evidence comes from tests of the MLK 1650.3 kit. AudioReview's April 2015 test, which Hertz hosts, measured this tweeter's resonance at about 900 Hz and its response as smooth, without pronounced peaks; at 100 dB, only the second harmonic was clearly visible, with the third showing a crossing just above 2 kHz. In listening, the tweeter blended in without dominating and the treble extended without fatigue. The tweeter opening in the reviewer's car could not hold it, so a bracket had to be made. PASMAG's December 2018 kit review found the top end smooth and polite, without harshness, once the tweeter level was raised, though the reviewer wanted a little more sparkle. Placement and taste seem to shape how bright it sounds.
Hertz ML 280.3 vs the ML 28.3 in the MLK 165.3
The MLK 165.3 kit uses a different Legend tweeter, the ML 28.3. Both have 35 mm Tetolon domes, 28 mm coils and a 900 Hz resonance, but Hertz rates the ML 28.3 at 91 dB and 0.075 kg against the ML 280.3's 92 dB and 0.10 kg, and the ML 28.3 is not sold separately by us. If you are buying a Legend tweeter on its own from us, the ML 280.3 is the one we list.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the ML 280.3 if you are building an active Legend system, adding a tweeter to an ML 1800.3 or ML 700.3 build, or replacing a tweeter in an existing MLK 1650.3 setup.
Look elsewhere if you want a ready-made passive two-way, in which case buy the MLK 1650.3 kit, or if you have no plan for a crossover. A tweeter run without a high-pass filter can be damaged.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Typical locations are the A-pillar, sail panel or dash, with the tweeter aimed towards the listeners. It needs only 13.5 mm of depth, but it must be held firmly; our listing includes mounting hardware, and a US retailer lists flush-mount cups and clamps with the pair. Keep clear of pillar airbags, and use heat-resistant adhesives, because a dashboard in a Delhi summer gets extremely hot. If you use the MLCX 2 TW.3, set its Hi-Contour and Hi-Boost switches for the final angle. VA3 Car Studio offers professional installation in Ghaziabad.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz ML 280.3 carries an MRP of ₹39,990 for the pair. VA3 Car Studio often sells below MRP, so check the current offer on the ML 280.3 product page. Crossovers and amplification are separate. Every set we sell is a genuine Hertz product.
The bottom line
The ML 280.3 is the Legend tweeter in Hertz's MLK 1650.3 kit: a big Tetolon dome with a low resonance that Hertz says allows a lower crossover point. A Hertz-hosted AudioReview test and a PASMAG review of the kit describe a smooth top end without fatigue, although PASMAG wanted a little more sparkle, and the one owner review we found is positive. Budget for a proper crossover or DSP channel and a secure mount before you buy.
Hertz ML 280.3 FAQ
What crossover frequency suits the Hertz ML 280.3?
Hertz rates it at 180 W peak with a high-pass of at least 1.8 kHz at 12 dB/octave. Hertz's own MLCX 2 TW.3 network crosses it at 2.5 or 3.5 kHz, which is a sensible starting range for an active setup too.
Is the ML 280.3 the tweeter from the MLK 1650.3 kit?
Yes. Hertz's MLK 1650.3 combines ML 1650.3 woofers, ML 280.3 tweeters and MLCX 2 TW.3 crossovers. The MLK 165.3 uses a different tweeter, the ML 28.3.
Does the ML 280.3 come with a crossover?
No. The pair comes with grilles and mounting hardware only. Use a DSP with a dedicated amplifier channel per tweeter, or a passive network such as Hertz's MLCX 2 TW.3.
Buy Hertz Speakers in India
Check the Hertz ML 280.3 Mille Legend 35mm Tetolon Dome Car price in India, browse more Hertz speakers or compare all tweeters in India. Want it fitted properly? Book tweeter installation at our Ghaziabad studio.
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