Need help with Kinergetics Subs - Newbie

Rich - Thanks for all the very useful information!

The only thing that doesn't jive is that when I switch the L/R wiring, the R cabinet still clips first even being hooked up to the L outputs.

Again... I'm a total newbie with audio equipment. Is an "outboard amp" just a normal amp (like the Kinergetics amp minus the crossover function)?

Currently I'm feeding 80Hz and below to the input on the Kinergetic amp and then just outputting it to the speakers. I'm not using the Kinergetics crossover right now, just the Denon's built-in crossover.

It would be great if just another amp would improve the problem.

John

John,

Yes, an outboard amp in relation to the Kinergetics amp/crossover unit is just a normal amp, preferrably one with high current for good bass control. The description you give does not sound like clipping, the sound I hear when the speakers clip sounds more like a metallic popping sound. I wish I could help you out but I'm stumped. The crackle static sound seems more electronic to me. Don't forget your summing the output from the receiver so the left and right should be the same. Try lowering the sensitivity knobs to about the 12 o'clock position then raise slowly. I have never had the knobs much past the 2 o'clock position, too much bass and they distort easily.

Rich

Wow! TC50s and Kinergetics...does that take me back!! I bought a pair of TC50s in, I think, 1983 and loved 'em. However, they need good amplification to show what they're capable of. Also one of the most holographic speakers I've ever owned.

That was during my most neurotic phase of audiophilia - owned 9 different speaker systems (including one Janus subwoofer) between 1980 and 1986. Those were the days but of course I wasn't married and could buy anything damn thing I wanted any time I wanted.

Well, I bought the TC-50's and Kinergetics based on my audiophile friend's suggestion. I didn't even audition the Kinergetics because they came so highly rated by Stereophile Magazine (I think).

I'm an audiophile in the sense of I like a nice sounding system, but don't know the first thing about what to listen to when picking out speakers. I remember listening to Enya and Dafos when listening to different systems with my friend (lost contact a long time ago). Don't have any audiophile pals to hang with these days. :(

That's also why I haven't upgraded my system. I rather just give someone some money and have them pick something decent out for me.

The TC-50's (and Kinergetics) do blend very well and are awesome for music imaging. They don't cut it for HT, though.

I'm still confused at what the problem is with my Kinergetics, although it sounds like maybe they are actually performing normally. I'm just pushing them (or the amp) too hard. I never set the knobs past 12 o'clock and in fact now have to set the right output to less than 10 o'clock or it will have the "clipping" problem far too easily. I'll have to listen to the noise again (eeeks)... so I can think of a better description. It may be more of a metalic popping but I've extended it to a nuclear explosion in my head because of how fast I dive for the volume control.

Maybe I'll try to see if I can find a devoted audiophile in my area who could come check out my system. They are such old speakers that I hate to put money in them just to troubleshoot them to find out that they are doing what they were designed to do.

Hey... just had an idea. Would it work to use my spare HK AVR 300 as an external amp to test the Kinergetics with a different amp?

Of course the HK is only rated at 50W (?) so it's not that powerful, but could I set it up to drive the subs as main speakers off the HK just for testing? Or is this pure HK suicide?

I'll wait to hear back from you guys before trying...