speaker distortion

alexberger416 posts02-13-2020 4:12pmLow sensitivity is a trade-off small size and deep bass to bigger size and not as deep bass.
Low sensitivity causes thermal compression that makes heavy, constrained, tiresome sound.
High sensitivity speakers, in contrast, produce easy going sound like a real musicians on stage performance.
It is sad, but a big part of audiophiles don't care about thermal compression despite this phenomenon kills a real musical reproduction and makes music boring and tiresome.
Regards,
Alex.


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Just googled 
 Higher Sensitivity  makes better music (something like that.)
and found this little gem from 
~~~AUDIOGON~~~ topic posted on,,,,,be right back
2-13-2020

READ THIS POST 
Over and over and OVER
How s that for adding something of significant substance to this civil discussion of why xover designs are loaded with midrange 1500-6k hz 
coloration/distortion/listeners fatigue

This post by alexburger says more than I could ever put words, and pretty much sums up why I jumped the xover ship and  would never ever consider a  tweeter as a  source for my midrange in classical music.
Although I am using a  paper tweeter right now, made in china to help out the 4 inch  full range in some 10k+ hz area.
Really a  great lil tweeter. 
But as for woofer/midrange/tweeter xover thing, no thanks.
Been there done that past 40 years. 
Look at the speaker used market, like a  grave yard. 
Why the selling off?
Why few takers??
xovers served us well past 50 years, 
'Its come full circle back to wide band speakers. 

There have I made a  contribution based ona  fair , unbiased critque of this issue of xover distortion?
Low sens  speakers sound like a  wet burlap bag is thrown over the front.
No thanks!!

mozartfan - Your post provides no useful info✌

my son in Hawaii got a pair of McIntosh speakers recently. I think it's a 1990's model which listed for like maybe 5k. I don't know the model number but when he hooked it up he said they don't sound good. he mentioned that the sound has distortion. is there anyone out there who might know what the problem is??g_nakamoto06-05-2018 1:40pm


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In my experience, all xover traditional speakers offer distorted fq's, midrange.
The problem is , your son failed to take into account the new wide band high sensitity speakers which ahve near zero distortion in the midrange CRITICAL fq.s
This is his problem. Get rid of the Mac;'s and  advise him to stay away from any speaker with a  xover. 
2nd advice is to suggest one of the new high tec wide band speakers/drivers. 

Read my comments to try to understand what makesa  wide band so high fidelity in midrange. 

thanks tls49. my son lives on the big island.  they don't have stereo stores, repair locations or even 'tv' repair locations. nearest location is on Honolulu on another island.

If they are 90’s vintage McIntosh, my guess would be that the woofers need to be refoamed or reconed. This is a common issue for many different speakers from the 90’s. Do they have removable front grills? If so, visually inspect to see if the foam surround is deteriorating. Also, gently push in on the center of the woofers to see if you hear a rubbing sound. This sound indicates they need a recone. If no sound, then they may just need a refoam. Not knowing the model, 2 way or 3 way, and if they are 3 way, the midrange may have the same problem. Just do a Google search for speaker repair in Hawaii.

hey tomic601, my son lives like 15 miles from the lava. but he's still not in danger. at least not now!

my son connected his reciever to 2 other speakers he has and they sounded ok. the problem must be with the speakers. thanks everyone!

 I owned a pair of McIntosh XR-16  speaker back in the 80's. But without a model number and I think a description of what "distortion" is being heard, it is not possible to even speculate what's wrong, speakers or electronics.

while maybe not the be-all and end all in high end, Mac employed talented engineers like Roger Russel - the XR series had some virtues

my guess is you will find some blown drifers and perhaps a fried protection network as i recall a few models employed those...

probably worth fixing..

keep them away from Lava....

What is the model number of the speakers? Just look on the back of the speakers and you'll find it. 

What equipment is he driving the speakers with?