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New Gallo Strata's sound like tin-cans: break-in time problem?

First time Gallo-user. Have been breaking them in according to instructions for approx 80hrs. Amp: ARCAM P49 (200 wpc in stereo mode), pre-amp Sonus Veritas Genoa, Source, ARCAM CD player (2yrs old), connections and wires all Nordost Tyr-or higher level. The new speakers are eating up the P49, I have the pre at full volume, and Strata's output is only slightly above conversation level. And, the sound I'm hearing is just like listening to the music thru tin cans. A friend commented, "these sound like mid-level television speakers".  Is all this due to incomplete break-in, poor speaker orientation, bad system combination, or.....what?  Any ideas are appreciated, as I had great hopes for these speakers.
Many thanks.
maximoam85

Showing 3 responses by alltrinnov

alltrinnov
9 posts
 
In my primary system, I have 5 Stradas fed by a Sherwood Newcastle R-972 Receiver and an Outlaw Audio 125 watt/channel amp in a room that is 13 1/3 feet wide by 39 feet deep with vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors.  Paired with an Outlaw Audio THX Ultra certified subwoofer, they play well over 100 decibels during movies and do not strain.  The imaging is spectacular.  Something must be defective with your speakers.
alltrinnov
9 posts
 
alltrinnov7;Thank you. Your description of set-up and impressions is very helpful.

A few questions. Did you have the system professionally installed?
Is this exclusively a theater system and if not, how do the speakers perform playing source music? Assuming the system was initially installed by you, what was your first impression> That is, did the system require extended break-in time for full sonic quality?  
Finally, what speakers did you prefer/own before the primary system you've described?

Your information will provide me substantial evidence when I ask my vendor to make his own evaluation of these speakers to determine return-ability.

-M

This system was NOT professionally installed.  Well, I'm a professional corporate finance guy but that probably does not count.  Right out of the box, the Stradas sounded great but they did sound marginally but noticeably better after a week or so of daily use.  They replaced Boston Acoustics CR-8 speakers which are very large bookshelf speakers.  Although the CR-8s are more efficient and have bigger bass drivers, the Stradas did not sound impaired in comparison.  In fact, they sounded superior in every way except bass.  A robust subwoofer easily solves that shortcoming.  The system is used 90+% for UHD Blu-ray, Netflix, and PS4 gaming and below 10% for music.  It sounds outstanding for all of the above.  As I have upgraded components, the difference has been immediately noticeable through the Stradas.  My wife and I use this system 5 or more days per week and I doubt we will ever part with the Stradas.

alltrinnov
9 posts
 
Actually, if they were stored in a facility with poor climate control (such as excess humidity) the speaker components might deteriorate over a six year period.
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