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Veiled 'wet blanket' sound from tweeters

Is it my speakers or my amp?

My gear consists of B&W PM1 with Rotel Integrated RA-1570.  

I'm experiencing a lack of detail and separation from the speakers , specifically at the tweeter source.   Switching between headphones (Grado RS1) and speakers, it is like there is a heavy blanket covering the tweeters.  Midrange/bass is fine.

Switching sources between DAC/Turntable yeilds no difference.

I'm actually wondering if the crossovers have been damaged.   

I don't really have the luxury of switching components.  Any ideas on what my next steps should be?




128x128gmckay1960
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Get a DEQX premate or an Anthem STR. They will show you what the problem is and correct it. The speakers won't have quite the detail of headphones but the will sound a lot better. If you want the detail of Headphones in speakers you have to get ESLs.
steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,761 posts
 
try try listening to the speakers in a small, say 3’x3’x3’ triangle with speakers center of room pointed directly at your head. Thats as close as you can practically get to replicating cans on and the direct sound should let you listen to tweeters also download a free db meter and run a 20 to 20k Signal from tidal.
nicemix
1 posts
 
Another possibility is bad ferrofluid fluid in the tweeters. I had that problem with my B&W P5 set after about 10 years. The condition you described is very similar to my experience. I had output, but it was extremely limited causing the speakers to sound lifeless. 
I removed my tweeters from the cabinet, then lifted the diaphragm gently off. I used some alcohol to clean out the old fluid that had hardened, then replaced some fresh fluid from Parts Express. That brought them back to life again. 
Good luck!
jetter
3,033 posts
 
+1 nicemix

Only caveat is that it is my understanding that some tweeters are harder to pull the diaphragm than others.  If difficult, suggest you call Bill at Millersound.  
crustycoot
643 posts
 
PM-1s are very low efficiency mini-monitors with only 84dB sensitivity.  The RA 1570 has 120 wpc...enough for a small room at medium volume with no clipping....but if you get carried away and overdrive tha amp you can damage the tweeter or crossover resistor.  I don't believe there are any fuses or protective circuits, and the network is said to be a simple LCR with top quality components.  If the level is way down I'd suspect that resistor.
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