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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
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
1,523 posts
 
Sounds like a plan! Please post results.
audiokinesis
2,743 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

maximoam85 OP
15 posts
 
Update:
 After checking with the vendor; he maintains the Strata's need "at least 200 hrs" break-in time.
So, in order to maintain my option to return the items for refund, I'm going to run these speakers a while longer......   maybe he's right, but I've had Magneplanars that needed less break-in time.

audiokinesis
2,743 posts
 

Maybe it’s none of my beeswax, but 200 hours seems like a stretch. That’s over six hours a day every day for a month. You might want to contact Gallo directly for a second opinion.

I would never tell a customer it will take that long for his new speakers to finally sound good. Improvement over time, yes. But not that much improvement.

I used to be a Gallo dealer. Never had the problems you’re having; all of my customers were very happy with their Gallo speaker right out of the box.  (I became a speaker manufacturer, that's why I no longer sell the Gallos.)

Note that your legal right to return something for a refund also has a clock ticking. Unless you are confident the vendor will take the speakers back after 200 hours regardless, you might want to find out when that clock runs out. For items purchased "mail order", my understanding is that it’s 30 days.

Duke

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