Go with new speakers. Full range drivers suck at reproducing multiple frequencies at the same time. That’s what’s causing the fatigue. Of course they sound beautiful with voices, but add some drums, a guitar or two and it’s a total mess. That dog don’t hunt. A Heritage speaker would be a much better choice.
15 in full range drivers
I built a pair speakers with 15 in full range drivers that drive easily with a 300B set amp. With certain music, (vocals) they are beautiful, but other music can be fatiguing. Wife can only take them at lower volumes. Added great subs to support the base and the 300 B Set tubes, but I am grappling with just investing in a new pair of speakers that are more well rounded or trying to different DAC's and a Equalizer to help the speakers I have. I am thinking like one of the speakers from the Klipsch heritage line would be a great way to go. But getting rid of the ones I made is like putting down a dog that doesn't walk as far as he used to and fells like I am giving up on them. Do I go with new speakers or keep suffering? LOL.
Showing 3 responses by perkadin
@corelli as James alluded to in the first post, I suspect the fatigue OP is experiencing is from cone breakup. His 15in full range driver is literally bending as it tries to vibrate at higher frequencies in the middle and lower frequencies at the outer edges creating phase issues and distortion. The distortion becomes much more noticeable as you turn up the volume leading to a harsh sound. The driver is probably made out of paper to keep weight low to improve efficiency, but that comes at the expense of rigidity. This isn't solvable with component matching, he's already using a low power amp, it's about song or music matching. Pick stuff lacking in complexity, like slower tempo vocals with maybe a single instrument backing so it's mostly midrange and you get an excellent result. When stuff gets complex it will fall apart, especially at higher volumes. |
@corelli At volume does your Tekton system start to outperform your Omega system, playing something like rock or orchestral? 70db? 75? In OPs own words he describes his system as fatiguing. And your suggestion is what, grin and bear it? Maybe read more "expert" opinions on the virtues of single drivers and low watts? There is nothing more audiophile I guess then building a system that mandates a ton of excuses that only a handful of people would appreciate. |