Both Speakers Do Not Sound Clear Anymore

[Dummy01]

Hi everyone,

I am not sure if I am posting to the correct sub-forum, if not sorry for that but I would like to ask for the opinion of the experienced members of this forum as I am a completely noob regarding technical issues.

I have a pair of 10 years old ATC loudspeakers which lately they don't have the quality of sound they had before. Their sound now is not so clear and looks like there is a blanket in front both of them.

Having trying to watch the problem on both of them I think that the main issue is the tweeters where although that there is sound coming out of them, it is very low and not clear. Like not all frequencies are coming out.

If the problem was in one of the speakers with the little I know I could guess that the problem would be exactly on this speaker, the tweeter or the crossover or whatever.

But since the problem is on both speakers I really can't believe that both of them destroyed at the same time since I don't play loud and in general I think I am a good user. So I don't know where to start searching for the problem. Do you think that it also might be an amplifier problem?. Or you know cases where both speakers started not to perform correctly due just to speaker problems?

And just to finalize there is no distortion on the sound that comes out from the amplifier. It is just don't sound crystal clear anymore.

I would appreciate any tips and thank you in advance for that

 

[markw]

Unless you recently had a drunken rave where someone unmercifuly blasted your system at full volume it's unlikely both tweeters would go simultaneously. Is it possible to try your electronics with another set of speakers or even a decent headphone/earphone with which you're familiar?

 

[Nestor]

If there wasn't a step change in tonal quality, it could be your hearing. It does tend to change as we age.

 

[Dummy01]

Unless you recently had a drunken rave where someone unmercifuly blasted your system at full volume it's unlikely both tweeters would go simultaneously. Is it possible to try your electronics with another set of speakers or even a decent headphone/earphone with which you're familiar?

My friends when they are drunk they prefer to sleep anywhere instead of blasting systems. So I guess this was not the cause
Regarding your suggestion, this is what I plan to do, to try my speakers to a friend's system and see their behavior there. Do you believe that in any chance maybe the amplifier is the problem? Thanks!

If there wasn't a step change in tonal quality, it could be your hearing. It does tend to change as we age.

Thanks for the advice. If anything else fails I will go to a doctor. Then I will return here to check if you have any other smart suggestion.

 

[markw]

My friends when they are drunk they prefer to sleep anywhere instead of blasting systems. So I guess this was not the cause
Regarding your suggestion, this is what I plan to do, to try my speakers to a friend's system and see their behavior there. Do you believe that in any chance maybe the amplifier is the problem? Thanks!

It sounds like I'd fit right into your circle friends. Yes the amp is always a possibility.

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

Have you verified that the treble on the amplifier's EQ has not been turned down?

 

[Pepito]

Originally Posted by Nestor
it could be your hearing. It does tend to change as we age.

Man, not everyone has a THTLP like yours... Saw your thread... MEAN!!!

Dummy, testing your speakers with another Receiver is the right way to go... Eliminate variables.
I am a beginner audiophile but science graduate for sure! Eliminate variables is best scientific method to identify the culprist... Go for it.
And if you birng too much booze at your friends receiver, looks like they would let you sleep over! so be sure to test properly... No fasty!!

 

[ReUpRo]

Another vote for trying your speakers on the friends amplifier.

 

[Dummy01]

Thank you all for your answers. I will try the speakers on my friend's system and see what is going on

To be continued...

 

[Pyrrho]

One possibility with old speakers is that the capacitors in the crossover may be failing. I once got hold of a pair of speakers with no sound from the tweeters. I tested the tweeters individually, and they were fine. The capacitors in the crossovers had failed, causing an open circuit, so none of the signal was getting to them. I replaced the capacitors, and then all was well. First, though, try the speakers with another receiver. If they don't work right with another receiver, you might want to test the tweeters by themselves, though you will want to be careful, because they are not designed to get bass and high levels of bass will likely destroy them.

I just had another thought: Do your speakers have any level controls on them? If they do, make sure the tweeter control is not turned all the way down. You might also want to move the controls back and forth a bit, as they can get dirty and cause the signal to be diminished or eliminated. If that is the case, clean the controls with DeoxIT.

And, of course, you should also make sure a high filter on your amplifier has not been switched on, or that the treble has been turned all the way down.