Need help with Kinergetics Subs - Newbie

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...

Hello just thought I would offer some info on my use of the same system. I have the kinergetic SW-100 subs in conjunction with the SW-800 platinum series monoaural subwoofer amplifiers. These Amps have a crossover that will allow the use of other speakers i.e spica TC-50's. These units have selectable crossover slopes and selectable crossover points. The Amperage is 300watts at 2 ohms, however the SW-100's are 4 ohm subs. These amps also have bass level adjustment. This system allows very good integration of the TC-50. The system is exremely holographic and detailed, bass is outstanding in combination with the spicas, HT is not for this system. I am also using the odyssey amp to drive the spicas, thus a very intense and satisfying sound CD and LP. The key is the crossover circuit design. The Subs sit in a stand specifically designed for them with integrated stands that are sand filled and the spicas sit on the stand for a very integrated look.

Familiar indeed. I still listen to my TC-50's, but gave up on the Kinergetics SW-100's sitting beneath them and now use a nice HSU sub with the Spica's. And call me crazy but I do use them for home theater. The system now doesn't sound sound as magical as I remember the Spica-Kinergetics system sounding in its heyday, but it's a way different system and room now, so who knows. But the Spica's are magic enough that the VR-1's are sitting in a box....