2. speakers
  3. 1415731757

Remoding Speakers Has An Effect On Resale Value

Hello everyone,

I just came across an interesting discovery concerning my relatively recent purchace of a pair
of Gemme audio Tanto V2's.Approximately two or three weeks ago,I had invited my best friend who happens to be an audiophile like me,for a sitdown to listen to my newly aquired purchace.

His first remark was when I had put on a cd of Hadouk Trio(that has more bass than one could ask for),
led him to believe that there was some boominess occuring within the room.Escpecially at higher listening levels.We both agreed that I would need to do some further room treatment to reduce or even elimeinate this problem.The Tanto V,2s have a tuning ring that could be added or removed to adjust the bass output according to your needs and specification.This did help somewhat,but I seemed to be going back and forth,all depending on the type of music I was playing,and at what level.After this was discovered,I purchaced a pair of 24" by 48" by 4" bass traps that I had placed right behind where the firing ports are situated.Its seemed to help to some degree.But after some further critical listening,and sampling cds that had exaggerated bass.It came to my attention that the Gemmes were not quite holding it down(the bass part) as they were acclaimed to be able to.Furthermore,it also became apparent to me that the high frequencies started to grate on me,also at higher listening levels.

So I decided to call Solen Audio for where most of the inner parts came from anyways.The tech said bring in both speakers,and we will test them.On the phone he admitted that there is a probability that there is some high frequencies getting tied up in ther midbass driver due to the lack of no crossover whatsoever!

One hour later I was at Solen audio in the back of their store,with both speaker being put on graphs and some kind of mike to detect certain problems.The result was that the midbass drive(Silverflute)
was the culprit.And I was asked to put my ear close to one of the speakers.I heard this sort sound like glass was being broken.One of the techs said "that my friend is absolute distortion you are hearing",
and probably why you were hearing this form of resonance in you own room.

The whole team could not believe that Gemme audio would have used such a cheap midbass driver in an $8000.00 enclosure.Granted,the vifa tweeter were not expensive either in comparison.But the main guy overseeing this said "they use them in $30,000.00 Sonus Fabar's" so we will keep them,in relation to a possibilty of even changing them for a pair of Morel tweeter that went for $350.00 a pair.
They decided to put in a pair of $350.00 USD midbass Satori drivers that should correct this problem
As for the highs being detected in the midbass was on point,and having to build a two way outboard crossover should solve this issue too.

Has any body out encountered this form of "cutting corners" where your speakers cabinet is of exceptional quality inside and out.Yet some the other moving parts were to be desired.

Lastly,do you think this could effect my resale value somewhere down the line if I would wish to sell them one day?
128x128zyac39
yakbob
478 posts
 
The founders of Gemme Audio we're never reluctant about sharing their driver types and their sources. Robert even posts here occasionally to help owners with questions.

True, the wool impregnated woofer and Vifa tweeter can be had off the rack at Madisound for less than $100 (this was well known) and are wrapped in a $5000 (original retail) cabinet. I'd take that option any day over some unobtainable driver pair from a manufacturer that is no longer around in it's original form...currently Arteluthe)

While I won't deny your pair having issues, I have to wonder if your 700 watts and "at higher listening levels" had something to do with it. The Tantos are very easy to drive to uncomfortable volume levels with 150 watts in my large room. They're pretty efficient, and as you're learned, have no internal crossover and only one cap protecting the tweeter.

As to modding them, have at it and let us all know how it works out. As long as you're honest about the swap and "reverse swap" when it comes time to sell, they're yours to do as you please.

Didn't you think this issue was originally your amp selection? Regarding boominees, have you played with speaker placement? How far from the rear wall are they?

While the Tantos produce a prodigious amount of bass (that R&D thing again), have you considered passing the low frequency duties off to a sub? I'm wondering if you're asking too much of this pair for your particular needs.
zyac39's avatar
zyac39 OP
49 posts
 
Well Im not exactly ready to sell them just yet.And if I do..

I would almost make it a prerequisite that you have to hear

them before buying.I would almost be ready to share the ticket

to come down and audition(only if you've heard them before modding).I trust Solen that much..

Last must is,they can only be sold if buyer promises not to go
pink!

Red,Green,yellow,purple...but please not pink!!!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,333 posts
 
REsale value is based purely on buyer perceptions. Buyers tend to look for things they are familiar with, a certain brand, model, feature etc.

Once a product is modified, it is no longer the same product technically. It may be much better...or not. It s much harder and rarer for a buyer to be able to percieve and recognize the value.

So there you go.
zyac39's avatar
zyac39 OP
49 posts
 
Hi Yakbob,

If you remember correctly that my first issue was finding the right amp.Due to high impedence curves on account of no crossover,this is quite a demand on an amp.
Provided your dampening factor is high,and slew rate is on point,150 wpc will make them sing.But try 400 500 or more per side and watch the Tantos transform your room even at low listening levels.Provided you feed them with clean and unadultered power.Indeed,their is the law of physics we have to respect here when dealing with a 6.5 inch driver.But as you well know its the cabinet itself that is producing this massive like bass too(due in part to a full transmission line enclosure,coupled with a V/Flex design.
I have so far used half of the amps full capability(power wise) and the Gemmes took it without a hitch.Its when I was trying certain cds(like Hadouk trio,patricia Barber) that this "boominess" became more and more apparent.But Solen assured me that this issue will be resolved.But nonetheless i will still have to respect the Tantos and keep it at under 12:00 just to be on the safe side,my ears included!
As for speaker placement,I have them currently at 24" from rear wall,with 4" thick Bass panels for where the firing ports are located.I have them at about 7 1/2 to 8 feet from each other and i am seated approx 10' away.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,017 posts
 
Viridian,
Speaking as you did of "just plain wrong", that's what you are when you suggest that Zyac39 sell speakers without disclosing that he has changed the original drivers. It's called fraud.
More to discover