Hello Audioguy! You are likely correct. I think they were never properly broken in among other things. I previously owned Avalon Eidolons and had no complaints. However, when I first installed them they sounded like transistor radios. It took hundreds of hours to dispel my disappointment and replace it with euphoria. I am quite impressed with your very tasteful and comfortable Music Room/Library. I am about to have a dedicated room built in our basement in our new vacation home. It is a quite daunting experience: so many choices and possibilities.