2. speakers
  3. 147683-80432

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
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Markmuse, the Stradas (not Stratas) are definitely not junk. All of the Gallo speakers are and were worthy.

Anthony Gallo introduced the Strada2 variant a while before he sold the company to its European distributor some years back.  Since then, I have not seen any new models introduced (someone correct me if I'm wrong), just the models that existed at the time of the sale.  Note that I said the company was ESSENTIALLY defunct.  I'd love for someone to show me a new model.
alltrinnov
9 posts
 
alltrinnov7;Thank you. Your description of set-up and impressions is very helpful.

A few questions. Did you have the system professionally installed?
Is this exclusively a theater system and if not, how do the speakers perform playing source music? Assuming the system was initially installed by you, what was your first impression> That is, did the system require extended break-in time for full sonic quality?  
Finally, what speakers did you prefer/own before the primary system you've described?

Your information will provide me substantial evidence when I ask my vendor to make his own evaluation of these speakers to determine return-ability.

-M

This system was NOT professionally installed.  Well, I'm a professional corporate finance guy but that probably does not count.  Right out of the box, the Stradas sounded great but they did sound marginally but noticeably better after a week or so of daily use.  They replaced Boston Acoustics CR-8 speakers which are very large bookshelf speakers.  Although the CR-8s are more efficient and have bigger bass drivers, the Stradas did not sound impaired in comparison.  In fact, they sounded superior in every way except bass.  A robust subwoofer easily solves that shortcoming.  The system is used 90+% for UHD Blu-ray, Netflix, and PS4 gaming and below 10% for music.  It sounds outstanding for all of the above.  As I have upgraded components, the difference has been immediately noticeable through the Stradas.  My wife and I use this system 5 or more days per week and I doubt we will ever part with the Stradas.

cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
I don't really understand all the pro/con strata commentary in here. If this is really true: "I have the pre at full volume, and Strata's output is only slightly above conversation level," then the speakers are simply broken and should be repaired or returned. That's not a break-in problem. As usual, Al and Duke have zeroed in on the reality of the situation.
knever
14 posts
 
Strada 2 speakers really tickle my fancy with the Gallo Floor Stands and a pair of the Gallo TR-3d subs but it took a great deal of time and effort to work out the best placement for the Strada 2's and the subs before everything "clicked". I can understand how someone who likes the Magnepan sound might not go for the Gallos though. I'm a former Magnepan and Martin Logan owner.

I bought my Stradas and subs used and they had several hundred hours of break-in before I owned them. I use them in a 20 x 14 listening room with a 10 foot celing. 
 
You probably know about Mapleshade's recommendations to place the Strada 2's very low to the ground on angled wooden stands. The 6 moons review talks about using the Stradas on the Mapleshade stands both in a nearfield desktop set up and in a full room set up. I have tried the Mapleshade stands but I prefer the Gallo Floor Stands. Two TR-3d subs are best, but I've tried using just one sub and could easily live with that.

I tried the Strada 2's with some Arcam and Rotel amps that I own and they sounded pretty good but they sound fantastic with my PrimaLuna tube gear. I owned the Audience ClairAudient 1+1 speakers earlier but prefer the Strada 2 with the subs overall for the classical music I listen to most often. 

'
maximoam85 OP
15 posts
 
alltrinnov8, your description was exactly what I needed to know. The statement, " Right out of the box, the Stradas sounded great but they did sound marginally but noticeably better after a week or so of daily use" confirms my speakers are something less than normally functioning Gallos. Having read the Mapleshade recommendations, I can believe noticeable improvement is possible, but not to the extent my speakers would require to meet the performance level you have experienced. And, the recommendation for a long break-in period would seem to be additive but not fundamental. However, it is puzzling that both these speakers would have the same mechanical problem producing the same 'tin-can' sound in both at the same time.
BTW, as an audiophile, I have made it a point of life-philosophy not to disparage the sonic experiences of anyone even if they are a "corporate finance guy". All professions are equal in the realm of acoustic physics.
-M
More to discover