Center Channel Break in period

[jeanseb]

So I got a new set of speakers: Klipsch WF Series.

When I bought the kit, they only had the demo in stock, except for the center channel. I took all the demos while they are ordering the brand new fronts and rears because they offered me to make a switch once all the new stuff will come in.

All the speakers sounds great, but the center (wich is 2 weeks new) seems to have a hard time keeping up.

The sound is sometime harsh compared to the set.

Is it because it is damaged? Or it's "breakin period"?

 

[Seth=L]

It's definitely not break in period. Break in takes only a few moments (seconds if that) from when the driver is first used. The so called "break in" that you read about usually plays to the misnomer that a new speaker takes time to function optimally. The reality is that the speakers are new to you and you as the listener adjust to how they sound (since they don't sound like the speakers you had before).

Is the tweeter different on the center than the other speakers? It's also possible this could be a cross-over issue or amplification issue. On your receiver do you have the center set to small?

 

[son-yah-tive]

It's definitely not break in period. Break in takes only a few moments (seconds if that) from when the driver is first used. The so called "break in" that you read about usually plays to the misnomer that a new speaker takes time to function optimally. The reality is that the speakers are new to you and you as the listener adjust to how they sound (since they don't sound like the speakers you had before).

Is the tweeter different on the center than the other speakers? It's also possible this could be a cross-over issue or amplification issue. On your receiver do you have the center set to small?

I agree with the Amp setting. It does get complicated sometimes with new speakers. So check the settings and make the speakers match in output up front. That may help.

 

[jeanseb]

Ok so I checked my speakers specs. My center channel (WC-24) frequency response is 85Hz-23kHz. My crossover was set to 80Hz, but now is at 100Hz.

Is that a good crossover point for me?

 

[Alex2507]

Is that a good crossover point for me?

How does it sound? You've been around here for a long time so I imagine that you have the channel levels calibrated already. I just wanted to say that for some movies I will run the center 3db-6db louder than everything else and I'll turn the subs down 3db but that's only because I'm a condo dweller. If it's late I try not to bother the neighbours (I hope that 'U' made you happy) but I need to hear the dialog.

 

[jeanseb]

Well the YPAO did the calibration for me. Of course all my speakers are set to small. All the level have been set the the Auto setp up and they seems fine. My 30Hz peak should be solved once I get my SMS-1.

I'll watch Terminator Salvation with these new settings.

 

[sholling]

After using the auto calibration and trying it with those settings, I like to break out the radio shack sound pressure meter and a tape measure. Then I check crossover points against speaker specs, double check distances, and reset levels. Since I live in a house I want all of the levels the same. For example with my speakers I'm able to cross over my mains quite low (40hz), but my center needs to crossover over at 80hz. I set the crossover for each speaker at or just above the low end of the speakers' rated frequency response and then do a reality check with my ear. Then I like to go back and do a phase check on the sub using a pure tone at the crossover point for the mains, followed by another listening test.

 

[Alex2507]

Then I like to go back and do a phase check on the sub using a pure tone at the crossover point for the mains.

Could I get you to talk about this in more detail?
Everything else you said should be printed on pg.#1 of every rec'r manual.

I have a Rives disk that will produce an 80Hz tone which is where all my speakers are crossed. I also have two subs in a stack configuration. Using an Avia II disc to check prefered sub phase had one main speaker one way and the other main speaker the other way based on spl of a test tone but the Rives disc just indicted a nasty peak in one low frequency area if I set the sub out of phase. It just served to confuse and frustrate me so I left the subs in phase and EQ'ed as best I could.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[gene]

Step 1: Turn off YPAO
Step 2: Check your levels with an SPL meter
Step 3: Re-evaluate

 

[jeanseb]

Step 1: Turn off YPAO
Step 2: Check your levels with an SPL meter
Step 3: Re-evaluate

The levels are fine. What I meant is that the center sometimes sounds crunchy. Looks more like a crossover problem to me, right?

 

[sholling]

The levels are fine. What I meant is that the center sometimes sounds crunchy. Looks more like a crossover problem to me, right?

Crunchy? Is the tweeter blown?

 

[gene]

The levels are fine. What I meant is that the center sometimes sounds crunchy. Looks more like a crossover problem to me, right?

Crunchy as in the sound you get when eating Captain Crunch cereal?

You need to be more specific so folks can help understand your situation.

Also, if you haven't done so already, turn off YPAO.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The levels are fine. What I meant is that the center sometimes sounds crunchy. Looks more like a crossover problem to me, right?

Why don't you temporarily substitute one of the left or right speakers for the center and see how that sounds and let us know.