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Driver matching vs break in period

I installed a new mid range driver for my B&W 803 SII and noticed that the image shifted to the speaker with the older driver. I got out my radio shack SLP meter and found that the new mid range driver was about 2-3 DB lower than the old driver in the other speaker. I ended up reinstalling the old driver and putting the new one back in the box. The question is: Is this a matter of matching drivers, or is a matter of allowing the new driver to break in, or is a bad driver? Any thoughts?
koryodell
hifitime
715 posts
 
That sounds like a good move.I've had hard,or a little brighter on a couple mids in the past.On woofers,I've had boominess until it broke in.I can't ever remember a quieter one.At least they will know of the problem so you don't get stuck with an unusable driver.
koryodell OP
12 posts
 
Here is B&W's response:

"The speakers are all calibrated to a specific spec. Please check the capacitors and resistors on your crossover network. Too often I have seen this open."

Maybe I'll check the crossover values, but I'm not sure why it would be the cross over when the problems follows the driver when I change it to the other speaker.
hifitime
715 posts
 
It sounds like a typical I don't want to be bothered answer.Just give me my paycheck.They used to work with a customer from what I remember.
koryodell OP
12 posts
 
To check the crossover, do I need to actually get to the resistors, capacitors, etc? Or can I measure the value at the speaker leads and compare it with a new crossover?
face
516 posts
 
To test each component, you need a LCR meter and each component should be removed from the circuit. Before doing that, I would try contacting them again and hope someone else receives your message.
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