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Questions About Speakers

I had a pair of SF Strads which I loved. I relocated to the UK for a few years and couldn't fit them in my place there. I sold them on the basis that, by the time I returned to the States, they'd be 15+ years old. Questions:

1. Is it correct to assume speakers have a shelf life (moving parts, rubber etc) and if so, what is a good estimate of life expectancy?

2. Has speaker technology (carbon fiber, Beryllium etc) improved so significantly that older speakers cannot compete?

3. I replaced the Strads with Kharma DB11s which I like but don't love. I did not purchased SF after being told by some that SF post Franco Serblin was not as good as before. Views on SF post FS?

4. If you have auditioned the new Stads G2, can you please share your impressions?

5. What is a good rule of thumb when trying to match speakers to a given size room? How much SQ & scale is lost by selecting a smaller speaker suited for a smaller room?

6. Any recommendations on speakers that play well with dTZ 18NS & 108 both mark 2? 

Thanks

 

 

rpmpam
bassbuyer
107 posts
 

I agree with the comments.  I’ve had speakers last a long time but not forever.  I have had a bad experience with high-cost powered speakers not lasting as long and needing repair or replacement.  I’ve had passive speakers last for 20+ years with no significant maintenance or issues.  I say if you are happy with the sound keep them for as long as you can.  I have no experience with the specific speakers you asked about.  Enjoy! 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,879 posts
 

I recently gave my brother a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto from around 2000.   Still look and sound great.   

A lot has to do with the inherent quality of parts and materials used and the climate/ environment they are in , but speakers can last a long time 

 

 

beernut's avatar
beernut
297 posts
 

Oh  boy, here we go. You'll benefit much more greatly with speaker placement and/or some room treatment. Cables can't correct those issues no matter how much $$ you spend. IMHO, they can become expensive tone controls. That's just me and my experience but my system may not be (nor my ears) resolving enough to detect these minute differences. That being said, have some fun!

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
171 posts
 

If you get a chance, I'd suggest trying some virtual 'point-source' speakers, which have a much larger sweet spot than conventional speakers with physically separated drivers, and are not so room critical.  KEF and Fyne come to mind.

Quad electrostatics from the 63 on are exceptions to the speaker / room size rule.  They are big panels but can be used for near-field listening, because they emulate a point source of sound.  They won't fill really big rooms with high volume sound, either!

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