Knackered yet another speaker....help!
Discussion
I'm on a role here. On top of knackering my PC speakers, I've now gone and done the same with my main living room speakers.
They are a pair of KEF Cresta 2 bookshelf speakers on Ariston stands. After a little "testing", it sounds like one of the drivers is slowly dying. It sounds very crackly with high frequency sounds, whereas the other speaker sounds fine. I've even swapped them to check it wasn't the amp and it's the same.
Since I'm trying to save some money here for my wedding and a new camera lens, I'd rather not go out and buy a new set of speakers and I've already fired off an email to KEF to see if I can get a replacement driver.
However, if the worst happens and the speaker dies, or I'm not able to get a replacement driver, I need to buy a new set of speakers.
My budget would be about £350. I'm only driving them with an Arcam 7R amp so it's nothing special, although recently I've had my eyes on some Cyrus gear. However; back to the speakers....I'd like something decent, but not too pricey.
Since there are a lot of hifi junkies on here and I have no idea where to start....who can recommend some good floor standers or bookshelf speakers for me?
Also keep in mind I live in Austria, so UK shops are totally irrelevant for me here.
Ta!
They are a pair of KEF Cresta 2 bookshelf speakers on Ariston stands. After a little "testing", it sounds like one of the drivers is slowly dying. It sounds very crackly with high frequency sounds, whereas the other speaker sounds fine. I've even swapped them to check it wasn't the amp and it's the same.
Since I'm trying to save some money here for my wedding and a new camera lens, I'd rather not go out and buy a new set of speakers and I've already fired off an email to KEF to see if I can get a replacement driver.
However, if the worst happens and the speaker dies, or I'm not able to get a replacement driver, I need to buy a new set of speakers.
My budget would be about £350. I'm only driving them with an Arcam 7R amp so it's nothing special, although recently I've had my eyes on some Cyrus gear. However; back to the speakers....I'd like something decent, but not too pricey.
Since there are a lot of hifi junkies on here and I have no idea where to start....who can recommend some good floor standers or bookshelf speakers for me?
Also keep in mind I live in Austria, so UK shops are totally irrelevant for me here.
Ta!
Try a bigger amp. What's probably happening is that the amp is going into clipping and the DC component is heating the voice coil which either burns off its varnish and goes progressively short-circuit or the lacquer bubbles up, expands and causes the cone to rub on the magnet. If it's a HF unit (tweeter 
) then this is even more likely as many tweeters are only rated for miniscule currents (regardless of the total power handling of the speaker as a whole).
A bigger amp which can deliver more welly is less likely to go DC.
All this presupposes that you like the thing up loud: if not and the drivers are still blowing, suggests some s
tty quality control somewhere. Probably in the Chinese factory where the 'Made in England' bits come from 
) then this is even more likely as many tweeters are only rated for miniscule currents (regardless of the total power handling of the speaker as a whole).A bigger amp which can deliver more welly is less likely to go DC.
All this presupposes that you like the thing up loud: if not and the drivers are still blowing, suggests some s
tty quality control somewhere. Probably in the Chinese factory where the 'Made in England' bits come from Roger McLittriss said:
Try a bigger amp. What's probably happening is that the amp is going into clipping and the DC component is heating the voice coil which either burns off its varnish and goes progressively short-circuit or the lacquer bubbles up, expands and causes the cone to rub on the magnet. If it's a HF unit (tweeter ) then this is even more likely as many tweeters are only rated for miniscule currents (regardless of the total power handling of the speaker as a whole).
A bigger amp which can deliver more welly is less likely to go DC.
All this presupposes that you like the thing up loud: if not and the drivers are still blowing, suggests some stty quality control somewhere. Probably in the Chinese factory where the 'Made in England' bits come from
Yup, I think you are quite right, but like I said I'm on a money saving mission here! I'll buy only what's necessary!!!!) then this is even more likely as many tweeters are only rated for miniscule currents (regardless of the total power handling of the speaker as a whole).A bigger amp which can deliver more welly is less likely to go DC.
All this presupposes that you like the thing up loud: if not and the drivers are still blowing, suggests some s
tty quality control somewhere. Probably in the Chinese factory where the 'Made in England' bits come from My friend lent me what I think was a Cyrus 7 with a PSX-R PSU and all I will say is phwoarrr!!!
The sound was much smoother, more natural and frankly really bloody good. Especially when hooked up to my Roksan Attessa CD transport. Unfortunately, the Arcam does let the system down quite a bit but it does the job for now and perhaps in a few years I could consider upgrading.
I think however the damage happened during a house party as the volume was turned up quite a bit and at one point I had to crank it back down as the speakers began "clipping". I'm guessing this was the start of my troubles. It's just been getting progressively worse since.
I'll wait to hear back from KEF, however in the meantime (just for the sake of looking), the KEF IQ5's or even the IQ7's seem like quite a good buy, plus they have very positive reviews on What HiFi. This could be one to consider I guess if all goes tits up with the spare parts.
Anyone have these at home?
Are they in a large room? You must have had the volume pretty high on that amp to get into clipping. The Cresta 2 has 90db at 1m per watt sensitivity so you must have had them higher than 105dB or so which is about as much as they'd be able to supply before going boink.
You should be able to find a replacement driver though, pretty easily.
You should be able to find a replacement driver though, pretty easily.
Parrot of Doom said:
Are they in a large room? You must have had the volume pretty high on that amp to get into clipping. The Cresta 2 has 90db at 1m per watt sensitivity so you must have had them higher than 105dB or so which is about as much as they'd be able to supply before going boink.
You should be able to find a replacement driver though, pretty easily.
Yup, they're in a pretty big room. About 30m2, but I think they were just played too loud. The Arcam is rated at 55 watts RMS but clipping easily happens around just after the half way point on the volume so I never turn them up that loud.You should be able to find a replacement driver though, pretty easily.
Unfortunately on the night of my house party, I wasn't in the same room to keep an eye on people playing with my gear. Never mind.....you win some, you lose some!
Not as bad as me last night. Got in, pissed as a fart, hooked my laptop into the amp (Cyrus8 driving a pair of B&W 603s). Couldn't hear anything when I set the laptop playing, so turned it up, still nothing, up again- nothing. Then I noticed the driver units going mental when I played with the volume.
I'de only gone and hooked up the microphone socket of the laptop into the amp.
Thought I'd f*cked the speakers, but they seem OK.
I'de only gone and hooked up the microphone socket of the laptop into the amp.
Thought I'd f*cked the speakers, but they seem OK.
A quick update on this....I just got off the phone from KEF and unfortunately they don't stock any Cresta 2 drivers any longer... 
The only option is to "re-cone" them from a place called www.audioloudspeakers.co.uk which was recommended by the technical specialist at KEF.
To be honest this is starting to sound a little complicated for my liking so I'm going to perhaps see if I get an Xmas bonus, I'll put it towards the cost of some new speakers.
So.....what can I get with a budget of €400??? I've already looked at a pair of KEF floorstanders, but I'd like to see what else I can get.
The only option is to "re-cone" them from a place called www.audioloudspeakers.co.uk which was recommended by the technical specialist at KEF.
To be honest this is starting to sound a little complicated for my liking so I'm going to perhaps see if I get an Xmas bonus, I'll put it towards the cost of some new speakers.
So.....what can I get with a budget of €400??? I've already looked at a pair of KEF floorstanders, but I'd like to see what else I can get.
Parrot of Doom said:
They probably sound impressive but bloody heck do they look fugly!beanbag said:
Parrot of Doom said:
Are they in a large room? You must have had the volume pretty high on that amp to get into clipping. The Cresta 2 has 90db at 1m per watt sensitivity so you must have had them higher than 105dB or so which is about as much as they'd be able to supply before going boink.
You should be able to find a replacement driver though, pretty easily.
Yup, they're in a pretty big room. About 30m2, but I think they were just played too loud. The Arcam is rated at 55 watts RMS but clipping easily happens around just after the half way point on the volume so I never turn them up that loud.You should be able to find a replacement driver though, pretty easily.
Unfortunately on the night of my house party, I wasn't in the same room to keep an eye on people playing with my gear. Never mind.....you win some, you lose some!
beanbag said:
A quick update on this....I just got off the phone from KEF and unfortunately they don't stock any Cresta 2 drivers any longer...
The only option is to "re-cone" them from a place called www.audioloudspeakers.co.uk which was recommended by the technical specialist at KEF.
To be honest this is starting to sound a little complicated for my liking so I'm going to perhaps see if I get an Xmas bonus, I'll put it towards the cost of some new speakers.
So.....what can I get with a budget of €400??? I've already looked at a pair of KEF floorstanders, but I'd like to see what else I can get.
I've got a pair of Kef iQ5 like these http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=sh... and reckon for the money they are the business. Pretty loud too if you've got a big room.The only option is to "re-cone" them from a place called www.audioloudspeakers.co.uk which was recommended by the technical specialist at KEF.
To be honest this is starting to sound a little complicated for my liking so I'm going to perhaps see if I get an Xmas bonus, I'll put it towards the cost of some new speakers.
So.....what can I get with a budget of €400??? I've already looked at a pair of KEF floorstanders, but I'd like to see what else I can get.
I'd have a look at well cared for second hand speakers,
I recently picked up a pair of Anthony Gallo Referance 3.1's in as new condition for around 1/2 retail price really pleased with them far better than what i could have got new and I think they look good to.
I recently picked up a pair of Anthony Gallo Referance 3.1's in as new condition for around 1/2 retail price really pleased with them far better than what i could have got new and I think they look good to.
Edited by andye30m3 on Friday 26th September 22:22
andye30m3 said:
I'd have a look at well cared for second hand speakers,
I recently picked up a pair of Anthony Gallo Referance 3.1's in as new condition for around 1/2 retail price really pleased with them far better than what i could have got new and I think they look good to.
Blimey! They look rather nice, however I think that might be a tad over my budget.I recently picked up a pair of Anthony Gallo Referance 3.1's in as new condition for around 1/2 retail price really pleased with them far better than what i could have got new and I think they look good to.
Edited by andye30m3 on Friday 26th September 22:22
I do however know exactly what you mean with online bargains. I have a friend who is seriously into hifi and he managed to get my hands on a 1998 Roksan Attessa CD transport which will blow the socks of most CD transports. This unit used to sell for £1800 brand new. I paid just £100 for it!
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