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New Gallo Strata's sound like tin-cans: break-in time problem?

First time Gallo-user. Have been breaking them in according to instructions for approx 80hrs. Amp: ARCAM P49 (200 wpc in stereo mode), pre-amp Sonus Veritas Genoa, Source, ARCAM CD player (2yrs old), connections and wires all Nordost Tyr-or higher level. The new speakers are eating up the P49, I have the pre at full volume, and Strata's output is only slightly above conversation level. And, the sound I'm hearing is just like listening to the music thru tin cans. A friend commented, "these sound like mid-level television speakers".  Is all this due to incomplete break-in, poor speaker orientation, bad system combination, or.....what?  Any ideas are appreciated, as I had great hopes for these speakers.
Many thanks.
maximoam85
prpixel
876 posts
 
I'm listening to a pair of Strada's as I write this.  I'm using a Wadia 151PowerDac Mini to drive them which is rated at 25W into 8 ohms and it drives them fine in my 10 x 10 office.  Sounds like either the woofers aren't working or somethings screwed in the Crossover.  Did you buy them used?  Have you tried calling Gallo?

I love my Strada's, which are wall mounted and paired with a small custom sub.  My wife hates the retro Telephone Receiver look, but they're in my Office and she doesn't have to look at them.
jnorris2005
185 posts
 
Realistically, these are two four inch speakers with a crossover-less tweeter.  I would be shocked if these things didn't sound tinny - especially in a larger room.  They would appear to be an exercise in artistry, not high fidelity.
itzhak1969
515 posts
 
"I have the pre at full volume, and Strata’s output is only slightly above conversation level. "
What you're describing is not a matter of break-in something is seriously wrong here it may he a bad sinergy with your system but my suspicion is that they are defected or just inferior speakers with very poor design.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
My guess is that both speakers have been miswired internally such that the two woofers in each speaker are being driven with opposite polarities. In other words, one woofer is moving out while the other woofer in the same speaker is moving in.

It might be possible to determine that by connecting wires to a battery holder containing a 1.5 volt battery, then briefly touching the wires to the speaker terminals, and seeing which way the two woofers move.

Regards,
-- Al
bbroussard
189 posts
 
Sounds like something is wrong with the speakers.  Contact Gallo support. 

I bought a used pair of CL4s here and something behind one of the tweeters was loose.  I emailed them asking for the proper screw-head to remove the tweeter.  They had me ship the speaker to them at my expense. They removed the tweeter, fixed the loose item, and shipped it back to me AT THEIR EXPENSE..
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