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Dunlavy SCIVA'S... Mine sound bland

First of all I am no expert and I just want to enjoy my music.  The room in question has been professionally treated by company with diffusers and absorbtion.  So the room is ok, not the best but I have put money into the room.  The preamp is a tube unit called the dude from tube research labs.  The amps are mcshaned citation II's that are bridged and running as monoblocks.  Last week I paid an individual with over 40 years of audio setup experience to come and help me out.  His initial feedback was the speakers were just very drab...  No life and nothing special.  I then hooked a pair of modified lascalas and he was OMG, they blew the dunlavy away in all aspects.  This can not be true??  So I have been reading....  All drivers are good on my dunlavy.  Could I be underpowering them??  Another theory is the crossovers need freshened up....  I'm at a loss...  Any help would be appreciated.  The last thing I need is to start any flaming on here...  I'm located near Chattanooga, TN and would kill to find someone close by to help me with this issue.
robmag
mrdecibel
2,961 posts
 
To the OP. You mention you have a Crown Studio Reference. I would connect that amp to the speakers. It is also my opinion that the felt material used on the front baffles, to eliminate diffraction, sucks up some of the sound escaping into the room. Many manufacturers used this principal back then ( Snell, Spica and Acoustic Research to name a few ). The Dunlavy designs, ime, are not an " open " sounding speaker. Not suggesting they are not good, nor musical, just not open ( I owned horns back then, and still do ). Enjoy ! MrD.
robmag OP
16 posts
 
I do appreciate all the great info.  Yes I do need to swap amps and run an A/B test.  I have had some hands on experience with rebuilding a X-over with good components.  My infinity RS 4.5s needed a rebuild and I had them done by Soniccraft and OMG night and day difference.  Honestly I love those speakers.  I have read many articles on the SCIVA'S and I'm hesitant to let anyone tear into the x-over because great effort was put into X-over and matching it to the speakers.  If I could find someone that could update critical resistors and caps and still retain the intended design of the X-over, I would do it...  
btg88
21 posts
 
A big Mac.  Monoblocks, if you can afford them (cheaper, if used, abviously). If will deliver consistent power, regardless of the ohms and it will be smooth, as per your taste.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
How long have you owned the Dunlay's ? You stated someone else commented they sounded drab ? But what are your impressions of the speakers ? Flat speakers like the Dunlavy can take some getting used to compared to others that have bumps in bass and treble , don't at first come ff as exciting , but more recordings will play nicer with flat speakers Imo.
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