I just recently had an amazing upgrade that didn't cost a dime. Loong (And boring) story short, I purchased a pair of Dali Spektor 1s a couple years ago and they had been floating around used and unused in various incarnations of systems I had set up around the house. Space needs finally dictated that I use these really small speakers as the mains in my "best" setup. They did a good enough job that I only questioned my choice to use them as mains daily as opposed to multiple times a day. During one of my daily bouts of potentially rearranging the entire system with different speakers (Probably ones I don't own), I happened across a review online where the gentleman described these speakers as "giant killers." He compared them to much more expensive speakers (as well as other budget luminaries which were on my short list of speakers I thought might actually be a better choice than the Spektors) and said they were actually better. I read, and reread his review. I don't know if it was driver break-in, changes in barometric pressure, or my 16 gauge ancient lamp cord finally burning in, but the Spektors started to sound better. Not just a little better too, but incredible. The more I re-read the review, the better these now reference monitors began to sound. I plan on continuing to re-read the reviews until these Spektor 1s are as good as any speaker ever made. This totally free upgrade has got me pulling out records I hadn't spun in years and hearing them for what feels like the first time. I am now searching for other positive reviews of other gear I own to see if it works for more than just speakers. I'll report back if it does!
No cost massive upgrade
- Thread starter dualhead
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Who are you calling a psycho!? Have you been talking to my wife? I'll keep posting my findings! I was thinking if there was a way to market this phenomenon, I'd make a killing. Heck, one could even offer it as a publication or something.
Genius observation. I suffer from the same affliction. I blame the internet.
jayvis
Addicted Member
You should never rely on the internet to justify your actions. Go with your gut and accept the results, good or bad.
What you are suggesting runs counter to everything I've read (On the internet) and could bring one dangerously close to contentment. I'm quite frankly frightened by what you suggest.
jayvis
Addicted Member
I'm assuming sarcasm? If not, you have my sincere condolences.
grindstone
Well-Known Member
Yeah better safe than sorry, dualhead--trust the internet--that's your real gut talking to you
Absolute sarcasm with genuine appreciation for your post. My gut is often ahead of my brain.
Yeah better safe than sorry, dualhead--trust the internet--that's your real gut talking to you
I think I may have given myself an ulcer.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
On the serious side, it can take some time for some speaker drivers to break in.The spiders and surrounds can lossen up some over time. Full range speakers are a good example. I've read where some people will set a new pair of full range speakers up in the garage and let them play non stop for 100 or more hours before even bringing them into the house. If they have electrolytic caps in the crossovers and the speakers haven't been used in awhile, it may take a little time for the caps to reform? I've done this with old tube equipment that has sat for a very long time unused. Slowly bringing up the voltage over time on a veriac.
I was wondering if this may have been at play as well. They are in fact getting more use since my revelation and may be benefitting from that. They have some wood fiber cones in the LF drivers that seem kinda chunky, so perhaps they need an extra lap around the course to settle in. I think Dali recommends 100 hrs. With all the variables in a stereo chain, the device between our ears plays such an important role. It's fun to tweak and see the effect on our perceptions. It really does change the sound of our gear we spend so much time enjoying. And it's free! Or at least cheaper nowadays with a medical card.