Old speakers - maintenance?

[mkinder]

I recently bought some old Paradigm 9se's online .. about 12-15 yrs old. I always thought used speakers either worked or they didn't.. so if the cone or tweeter was making sound, didn't rattle, and the rubber surrounds were still good.. then it would sound the same as when it was new. But, am I wrong? Is there some re-conditioning that should be done with crossover's etc on older speakers? Or should all that still be ok?

I ask because these speakers certainly have more dynamic range with lower lows and higher highs .. and much better imaging than my old DCM-cx27's, so I think they are working normally. But they seem lacking a little in the upper midrange. I've tried turning up the bass a little and lowering the treble to even it out, and it helps. I think they still sound better than my old DCM's, but I'm wondering if they would sound more balanced if there was some reconditioning I could do... ? Maybe I'm just used to my old DCM's since i listened to them every day for 18yrs.

 

[Swerd]

I recently bought some old Paradigm 9se's online .. about 12-15 yrs old. I always thought used speakers either worked or they didn't.. so if the cone or tweeter was making sound, didn't rattle, and the rubber surrounds were still good.. then it would sound the same as when it was new. But, am I wrong? Is there some re-conditioning that should be done with crossover's etc on older speakers? Or should all that still be ok?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is likely that these speakers are perfoming now as they did when they were new. Crossovers do not need re-conditioning due to age.

Maybe I'm just used to my old DCM's since i listened to them every day for 18yrs.

That certainly seems like the best explanation. It is possible that there is a real difference between these two speakers, and that you have become used to the sound of your old speakers.