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Problem Solvers Needed-Got my New XOs installed and am worried....

I think I made a big mistake. I loved the sound of my 1988 Tannoy FSM Dual concentric 15'
speakers. So I thought an expert could analyze the existing XOs and make improvements.
I installed the new XOs expecting a 300-400 hour burn in period. Herein lies the problem.

After 30 hours or so the initial sound has no high end to it. I expected to initially hear sound as good as I had
which would continue to improve as the burn in continued. But no. 

I am tempted to reinstall the old XO and kiss off the $2k invested. 

I am very open to some suggestions from anyone who has been down this road.

Thanks,
chorus
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,603 posts
 
$2K sounds like an "expert" in the confidence racket.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Are the tweeters connected? is any sound coming out of them? Did you make a mistake in installing networks? Did the new xover factor in insertion losses?
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
Some good suggestions; 1) Contact the expert and describe your issues. Crossovers don't need burn-in to sound good, just get better. 2) Good suggestion mijostyn, maybe error. My thought; Hope the original iron core inductors were not replaced with air cores, especially for the low frequency drivers. Iron is usually better than air for woofers. Ask "expert" for a detailed schematic for the crossovers he made for you.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
I will tell you this, I have TRT teflon caps in 3 pairs of speakers I currently own. If you wanted to listen to them you could, I COULDN’T for over 200 hours. 500 hours was considered broke in.

So we are clear the manufacture told me to put the speakers under moving blankets for 24/7 with a SS amp and 10-30 watts going through them. Turn them off and on every 2 hours for the DC tickle on startup. It was the only way to break in teflon caps, it worked every time for me.

Two pairs of speakers I owned were sold BACK to the manufacture because of the BAD sound, and the customer said so.. "It should sound good when they’re delivered". I agree 100%, but I also paid 50% less for a break in..

I still like teflons the best.. Copper foil are pretty good too for mids in the band pass, a lot easier to break in to. 50 hours tops.

I’d make darn sure they were hooked up correct and let them percolate for 2-300 hours... All the time, stay in touch with the guy that sold you the XO. Did YOU asked him to do something silly? OR are the XO changes his idea?

His idea, his problem.
Your idea, your problem.

Be patient..

Regards
speakermaster
738 posts
 
The only way to upgrade a crossover is to put higher quality parts in place of the old parts using the existing values, if you try to change things bad sound could be the result, as you have found out, lesson leaned i guess.
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