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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
bbroussard
188 posts
 
Never considered that.

Try the speakers in a different system that is known to be functioning properly.
maximoam85 OP
15 posts
 
Thanks to everyone for all these suggestions.
A few are answered in my previous update when I moved the speakers to a completely different electronic system (Onkyo receiver and CD player using different wiring and connectivity in a different, smaller room) with the same results as I related in my first message.
almarg: suggestion is a good diagnostic but I am hesitant for fear of invalidating the warranty (they are new speakers) and/or damaging the speakers.
db212: for these speakers interconnects are not required, only speaker wires are used. With the optional subwoofer, the system can be run using HF connections (again with speaker wires) into and out of the sub itself. Between source components pre-amp, amp, CD player, I am only using XLR connectors which I am fairly certain eliminates possible coax vs interconnect confusion.

So. Here's my strategy. Return the speakers to the vendor (I prefer not to identify the vendor in print here) and ask them to audition the speakers. If the speakers sound  normal to them, then I will return the speakers for refund, since after much break-in and adjustment it's obvious I personally do not like the sonic character of the speakers. But, if they find the speakers defective, replace them and I will try again. If anyone here would like to learn the results, I'll be glad to re-visit this discussion in the future.
Thanks again to all.

cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Agree with all that said the speakers appear to be non-functional. Would love to hear the final update, please do post.
tomcarr
1,468 posts
 
Sounds like a plan! Please post results.
audiokinesis
2,718 posts
 

Maximoam85 wrote: "almarg: suggestion is a good diagnostic but I am hesitant for fear of invalidating the warranty (they are new speakers) and/or damaging the speakers."

The 1.5 volts almarg suggested translates to less than 3/10ths of a watt into the Strada’s nominal 8 ohm load, and the speaker is rated at 150 watts. The crossover will route the battery’s DC current to the midwoofers; the tweeter will not see any of it. In other words, what he suggested is perfectly safe and would give you valuable information.

Every speaker I make is polarity-tested with a comparatively brutal 9 volts (ten watts into 8 ohms), because once upon a time I shipped a speaker with the woofer's polarity inadvertently reversed due my using the wrong color wire coming from the crossover board.  In other words, it can happen. 

I can understand you wanting to go to the dealer regardless of what the battery test reveals, because opening up the enclosure might very well void the warranty. But the battery test that almarg suggested is safer than playing them at normal volume.

Duke

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