AV Adviser

Used speakers are tricky to price

There's not much to a speaker.  I should say that compared  to an av receiver there's not much that goes into a speaker.  You have the drivers, tweeters and woofers, a cabinet, circuit boards, some insulation, a grill.  That's simplified and hardly scientific but I'm trying to get a point across. 

Your speakers usually last much longer than other audio components.  There's just not much that can go wrong with them.  That is unless you overdrive them and blow out the drivers themselves.  You can tell if a driver is blown by just listening to it.  Or, if it's a woofer, carefully push the cone in with your hand.  Do you feel or hear a grinding or crunching.  If so the speaker is blown.  You'll need to replace it. 

In fact, it's quite easy to replace parts of a speaker that goes bad.  The most common ailment is that the "surround" which attaches the speaker cone to the basket becomes deteriorated.  Here's a diagram.

You'll first notice a bad surround as the speaker will begin to buzz or make a fart sound when there's low bass tones.  On inspecting it you might find that there's actual holes where the surround has decayed.  Simply touching the surround with your finger may cause it to disintegrate as you touch it. 

I've got a pair of McIntosh XR6s that had bad surrounds in the largest of the woofers.  Here's a couple of pictures. 

In the old days surrounds were made of cloth, and though the sound may not have been as good they didn't go bad. 

I removed the woofers from the cabinet and took them in for replacement of the surrounds.  It's much better than trying to transport huge speaker cabinets. 

There's a few places in Cleveland that repair drivers.  I took mine to Audio Craft.  Another downtown shop is Empirical Sound.  I believe that Elctra-Sound on Brookpark Rd. also offers this service.  It's best to call a store first to see if there's a surround available for that sized driver. You could do it yourself but it's a bit difficult and the glue used is somewhat toxic meaning a ventilating mask is needed. 

Once the surrounds are repaired the woofer is as good as new and that's where pricing on used speakers becomes tricky.  If you go by Bluebook, yes, just like cars AV gear has a Bluebook, the price on used speakers aren't reflective of any sort of repair work you may have had done.  Speakers can last a long time as long as you take care of the cabinet and don't crank them too loudly.  It's just that in the used market you won't be able to sell them for too much.  On the other hand, you can find some great deals on used speakers. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

Watch where you put your speakers or what you put on them

I was just looking at a review from CNET's Christopher MacManus on a home theater system he saw at the Consumer Electronics Show, Hands-on with Unity home theater.  He gives a favorable recommendation but it got me thinking about speaker placement. 

MacManus was turned off by the design of the set up where the subwoofer sits vertically in the center and a speaker bar rests horizontally across the top of it creating a T shape where the speaker bar also acts as a place to put the flat panel TV.  His concern is that there's no place for a lower shelf to house a game console and the like.  My worry is vibration from the speakers and subwoofer that are in direct contact with the TV. 

I don't care what the spin is, there's no way vibration is good for your video and audio components.  The idea of my TV sitting on top of a platform that constantly vibrates is just not happening.  Those vibrations can, in time, loosen soldering joints, circuit boards and all sorts of internal components.  That may easily send your TV to an early grave. 

The speaker bar contains the tweeters which, granted, don't create too much in the way of vibration, but the bar sits directly on top of the subwoofer.  A subwoofer vibrates like crazy.  I've seen systems set up where, due to lack of shelf space, audio or video components are set right on top of the subwoofer which usually resides next to or behind the TV.  That is just bad design.

Another thing to be wary of when dealing with subwoofers and large floor standing speakers is what you may place on top of them, even momentarily.  Speakers use magnets.  The bigger the speaker the bigger the magnet.  Most of the time the speaker housing is sufficient to keep that magnetic field from escaping the enclosure.  I'd still be very cautious about laying a watch or your iPhone on top if it. 

I have a mobile DJ business and sometimes the photographer will put his camera right on top of my speaker.  First of all I don't want anything on those speakers because eventually vibrations are going to knock whatever rests there to the floor.  Secondly, there's a chance that the magnet in the speaker is going to do damage to their camera. Remember, speakers aren't tables.  

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Wireless Speakers Still Need Power

A couple of years ago a company called Summit invented wireless speakers for an AV receiver.  Actually wireless technology has been around for years but this was quite an innovation. 

In the past wireless speakers worked via 900 megahertz, the same frequency used on cordless phones.  It was far from perfect.  The signal wasn't clean with some hiss usually detected and you had to have an antenna set up at the source location. 

Then came wireless rear speakers for surround systems.  These usually worked via line of sight which was problematic since most home theater rooms have furniture that might prevent that. 

So Summit invented a technology where the transmitters were built into the AV receiver, sending out separate signals to each of the speakers.  They sold this technology to manufacturers like Aprion who's product using the technology has been showing up on best products of 2011 lists. 

The problem is that each of those speakers that you no longer need to run speaker wire to are powered speakers.  That means you have to plug each speaker into the wall.  In newer homes where building codes call for installing many more AC outlets than in the past it's not that difficult to find an outlet near each speaker placement.  That's not the case in an older home where, if you're lucky, there's one AC outlet per wall. 

If you wanted to mount these wireless speakers on a wall then you'd have to go through the same hassle with flat panel TV mounting, having an electrician install an AC outlet at each speaker location.  And you'd better make sure those wall outlets are recessed so you can mount the speaker while hiding the unsightly outlet. 

A customer asked me earlier this week if there will ever be truly wireless speakers.  Of course, there's wi-fi and the brilliant devices like Sonos but as far as simply wireless speakers, I don't see it happening. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Speaker Sales On The Rise And Continued Growth Expected

I tend to take public relation press releases with a large grain of salt.  I was a communications major.  I know that a press release is created to hype.  But in a fairly stagnant industry like consumer electronics it's refreshing to see projections of good things ahead. So I'll share this press release from PR Web, Global Loudspeakers Market to Reach US$4.5 Billion by 2017, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

The report suggests that we'll see growth in the speaker market because of the popularity of home theater with even more people investing in one as at-home entertainment (cocooning) continues.  It's true that a one time investment in a quality home theater set up can save money in the long run if you and the family spend more time at home as a result. 

I do hope the report is correct.  It would mean that people haven't forgotten what good sound can mean to a listening experience. 

I just counted the individual speakers that are hooked up in my home.  It comes to a total of 20 speakers.  Now if everyone can work toward a goal of 20 per household we can beat these projections. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

MonoPrice Speaker Prices Have Me Stunned

I was only recently made aware of the speaker line up from MonoPrice and their insanely low prices.  I mean these prices are so low as to have my head reeling.  But are they any good?

If you're comparing them head to head with quality speakers then the answer is no.  Would these be the speakers you'd use in your home theater?  That would be a no as well, unless they're for a dorm room or something like that. 

I like to think of them as akin to Ikea.  Ikea furniture looks nice, and as long as you're setting it up once and not moving them they'll last for awhile.  In the end they are throw away items.  A good pair of speakers is not a throw away item.  Speakers can be repaired and the cabinetry is made to last.  Not so with MonoPrice's very low end speaker line.  They aren't built to last.

It's funny though.  Try and find a review of MonoPrice speakers.  Actually Steve Guttenberg just wrote about them for CNET, Before you buy a home theater sound bar, read this.  But reviews of their product are hard to find.  So the question is why? 

I think there's a couple of reasons.  One is that most reviewers imagine themselves too far above such entry level product.  It's a bit of conceit.  The other is that their publications take in ad revenue from speaker companies with prices much higher than MonoPrice speakers.  They don't want to upset these folks by drawing attention to MonoPrice. 

The bottom line is that MonoPrice speakers can fill a niche for someone with very little money, but if you're looking for a good sounding, long lasting system I'd steer clear. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Hooking Up A Subwoofer To A Stereo Receiver

A reader asked me how he could hook up a subwoofer to a typical stereo receiver.  He liked his two main speakers just fine but felt like adding some more low end sound.  He also wondered which one to buy.

There's two ways to hook up a subwoofer to a stereo receiver.  Unlike surround receivers which have a dedicated line level subwoofer RCA type output, there's no such thing on a stereo receiver.  There are other line level RCA outputs suck as a record out.

You could take a stereo RCA patch cord out of the record out and then use a Y cord to combine the left and right channels into one which then plugs into the subwoofer.  The problem with this is now you have two volumes to adjust all the time.  Ramping up the volume on the receiver with have no effect on the subwoofer.  You'll have to adjust that volume from the subwoofer level knob on it.  It does allow you to adjust the sub level differently for various types of music which you may find useful, more bass for hip hop, less for classical, etc.  Still, it's kind of a hassle having to always be adjusting two levels. 

The other solution is to use a subwoofer that has speaker level inputs and outputs.  This was common amongst subwoofer at one time.  In fact, some subwoofers were non-amplifed (called passive) and only had speaker level ins and outs.  There aren't too many subwoofers which still have the speaker level option, but here's an entry level one that fits the bill nicely, Polk Audio PSW-111. 

Simply run your speaker wires from the receiver to the subwoofer.  Then run speaker wires out of the subwoofer to the main left and right speakers.  Now the sub volume and the left and right speaker volume will be controlled by the volume knob on the receiver.  You'll just need to adjust the hertz level at which you want to send sound to the speakers.  This is called the roll-off and it changes according to the room environment and type of main speakers.  You'll want to do some critical listening to find what's perfect for you. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

 

 

Paradigm Speakers Enter Mass Market With "Shift" Brand

Paradigm, a highly regarded speaker manufacturer is bringing part of their product line to the mass market.  The Canadian company who have traditionally sold their speakers soley through specialty retailers are bringing a new brand to market and selling it in big box stores. 

The line, cleverly called Shift will start be available this spring.  The first product will be small, amplified bookshelf speakers.  Paradigm tried marketing amplified speakers once before with little success, but with technology such as Apple's Airplay and a target demo of DIY enthusiasts they see a need for them. 

The rollout will then continue as they enter categories new for Paradigm.  That would include headphones, ear buds, and gaming headsets. 

Paradigm doesn't have the name recognition of Bose or even Polk but in the industry they are looked upon as one of the better speaker companies.  It'll be interesting to see how they approach the more mass market advertising. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Bose Teaches Lessons About Marketing

Ask most any seasoned custom electronics veteran what they think about Bose and chances are you'll get some sort negative response about their sound.  "No highs, no lows, that's Bose" was a saying at one point, specifically back in the 901 speaker days.  Now the converse is somewhat true with little in the way of midrange in a Bose speaker system.  It's nothing but highs and lows. 

I have never been that disparaging of Bose.  Their sound is crisp and the design of their speakers is stealth and sleek.  I use a Bose pro speaker system as a mobile DJ and I love it.  Well, much of it has to do with the ease of transporting it. 

One also has to acknowledge the amazing job Bose does with marketing.  It's easily the best known speaker company to the mass market.  Their ability to attract customers is amazing and lessons can be learned.  Here's a great story from Home Theater Review on what we in the custom business can learn from the folks at Bose, How Bose Can Teach The AV Business How To Sell More Systems For More Profit.

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

What To Do With Your Outdoor Speakers In The Winter

People ask me, "John, what do I do with my outdoor speakers in the winter?".  "Nothing", I tell them. 

With a chance of snow in the forecast and temps around 50 today and tomorrow now is the time I do my outdoor winterizing.  You know, cut the lawn one last time, rake the leaves, put away the hammock and lawn furniture, etc.  A touch of sadness comes with these chores.  I stem those feelings by listening to a good book or podcasts on my iPhone while doing the work. 

Now some would think I should also bring those outdoor speakers inside for the winter.  Why?  There are those days in the middle of winter when the temperature hits a balmy 40 and you may be compelled to grill out or smoke a cigar and enjoy a nice porter outside.  Having the music is a must in my opinion. 

Besides, it's more problematic if you do take those speakers inside.  Now you're left with two sets of exposed wires that, left unprotected, can create a short (the positive and negative leads touching) from ice or condensation running back to your amplifier inside and possible damaging it.  Yes, you could clip the exposed copper to lessen the chances of harm but why bother with the hassle. You'll need to re-strip the leads in the spring.  

There others that think it a good idea to leave the speakers outside but cover them in plastic, say a garbage bag.  Don't do that for the same reason you shouldn't do it with your air conditioner.  It leads to moisture and condensation forming, being trapped,and ultimately freezing, causing harm to the speakers. 

Outdoor speakers, good ones anyway, are made to withstand the elements including cold.  Sure, they may last a bit longer if taken inside but they shouldn't be expected to last as long as an indoor pair of speakers anyway. 

And me?  I get a freakish pleasure of playing Christmas music outside as the snow falls. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service call me at 440.724.0558 or email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal