How do you know your speakers aren't broken?

[DesertPilot]

Hey everyone,

Sounds like a dumb question, huh? But, really...I just went out and laid down some hard case for a pair of LSi9s, and LSiFxs, and a LSiC. So...I'm in that "nervous" window of time, wondering if everything works as I expected.

All the speakers were purchased within the last month. I should have my Outlaw AMP (300 wpc @ 4 Ohms) & PrePro any day now. Until the amp gets here, I hooked up my Denon 1804 (90wpc @ 8 Ohms) which sounded very good...but as I've read here over and over...BE CAREFUL with this kind of receiver.

All the speaker packaging looked great and factory sealed, and all speakers were built within the last year, and my out of the box inspection showed they were "visually" in good repair. I'm defering any serious listening tests until the Amp gets here later this week.

When you buy speakers...how do you evaluate them once you get them home? Test CD??? Which one??? How about the crossovers and other "magic" stuff? How does all that get evaluated?

ok...I admit it...just listening should be sufficient. If they sound great to me then I should be happy, right? But, you know, the technology inside these things just seems to make me wonder...did I get a speaker made on Wednesday? or Monday? hahaha...just kidding.

Seriously...how do you evaluate and test speakers you just carted home from the store?

thanks...Marcus

[dragon1952]

Yeah, just don't try and really crank it up and you'll be fine with that receiver until your amp arrives. Ideally you would be comparing the speakers to others you've owned. I mean really, if they make you smile and tap your toe that's all that really counts isn't it? ;) I would start off by selecting some music you are very familiar with and go from there. These are brand new speakers right? You gotta allow a little time for break in but jeez, they aren't going to come straight off the shelf broken if that's what you're worried about!

[jcaut]

There's not much that could be wrong with a speaker that wouldn't be almost immediately obvious. If they sound good, then you're all set!

[madmax]

A word of warning about the LSi's. With the two woofers you can put your ear to one and hear it. If you put your ear to the other one you will not hear it because it is crossed over at a lower frequency. Of course it is still moving (and would be anyway even if it were defective because it is in the same box). Just assume it is working. The tweeters will be obvious if they are not working or defective. Very unlikely any of the drivers will be defective if they are new.

It doesn't hurt the speakers to run them with your receiver. Just don't play them really loud.

One more thing, the sound the LSi's produce is absolutely horible...




















...for the first 70 to 100 hours until they break in. :D


madmax

[billbillw]

Agreed. If they sound musical, they are fine. The will only sound better when the break in and you upgrade the electronics. "Broken speakers" make funny sounds: crackles, clunks, pops, whistles, static, distortions, or no sound at all.

[michael_w]

You should notice that they sound better and better every day and the soundstage should get larger over time, kind of like a diamond that slowly fills in. The break in time is as madmax said around 70 hours so you can just leave them running full range music for a few hours while you're out of the room or something. I suggest that you wait for your amp before pushing them hard or leaving them on for 8 hours at a shot.

[heiney9]

Before I bought my Athena's, it had been a long time since I purchased brand new speakers. Break in is a very important step in the process. I was a bit disappointed w/ the Athena's until they were broken in. Now they sound really great for my office/computer system. You really can't evaluate the speakers until fully broken in. If after the 70-100 hours of break in they still don't sound all that great, then a) you may have a problem, b) may not be the right speaker for you, or your system.

Don't be too critical until after break in; that goes for all other equipment too.

H9

[DesertPilot]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I finally got my Outlaw Amp & PrePro. WOW! What difference "power" makes!!! My LSi setup really sings now. Using the new Amp I feel more confident turning up the volume and each speaker sound fine (no buzz, bangs, noise). So...I feel more confident that the speakers are working as they are supposed to work. More critical listening after 100 hours use...

Marcus