Well, if the distortion is very similar between the two speakers, it is probably NOT the speakers. One would expect only one speaker to fail at any time, or for them to have different sounding distortion from each, considering they are mechanical devices. My best guess would be that your cd player is overloading the preamp's input. Or, the preamps tubes or something else in the preamp is definitely going, and cannot handle the higher signal of the cd player......
Are my speakers blown???
I have slowly began to notice that my stereo sounds badly distorted (crackling), mainly in the tweeters of my Alon1's, at a medium to high volume. I REALLY noticed it when I replaced my ancient Sonographe CD player with a Rega Planet. It sounds wonderful at lower levels, but can't handle loudness. I suspect that my Conrad Johnson PV10A (pre-amp) may need new tubes. I am not a techie, so I'm guessing. Amp being used is a BK ST1400 (older). The wierd thing is, my Nak tape deck does not cause any noticable distortion. I aslo suspect that the Planet has a higher output level and a greater freq range than the tape player. I really appreciate everyone's help!!!! Brad - Atlanta