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Has anyone else auditioned something that really was terrible?

I decided to check out Rotel on current B&W 804's, since I figured these speakers would be most similar to my older 803"s.Even the sales person had to admit it was not something I would want to listen to for any length of time.Do people buy this for background music?For around $4000 for a CD and integrated amp, it was not impressive. to say the least. It actually sounded like my first preamp, a Crown IC something or other.
Someone gave me a 125 wpc Marantz surround receiver.  I plugged it in and listened for 5 minutes, then permanently re-boxed it to sell, if I ever get around to it. It is totally unlistemable.
Am I just spoiled?
danvignau
coffee-jerk
74 posts
 
My system had no resolution, and I kept having to turn it up.  But it didn’t matter; it just wasn’t right, anymore. I was quite concerned by the dawning realization that my hearing changed (again).  While looking up the number for my ENT doctor, the lightbulb went off, and I discovered that the bi-wire jumpers of my ProAcs were disconnected, so no tweeter.   (I blame my kids!).    Although it sounds like the source of the problem should have been obvious, I was freaking out.   Life is good.  
pjr801's avatar
pjr801
192 posts
 
Had a junior salesman try to impress me with a pair of infinity speakers -can't remember the exact pair but the had a largish woofer .they sure went loud with a little coaxing but the sound was horrid.Needless to say, I was unimpressed with the salesman not understanding what was wrong with them.I'm guessing he was a metal fan and preferred loudness to any other aspect of sound
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
@bob540:
Don’t worry too much about the inexpensive gear thing.

Yes, oftentimes (but def not always) more expensive stuff can sound better, but it is never generally linear and I’d almost say it’s sorta inverse exponential, which probably is meaningless scientifically but hopefully you get my point.

If you have a solid low cost system you often have to spend WAY more for a sound improvement that most normal people (eg, everyone in my family but me) would say is not at all worth the upgrade cost!
mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 
B&Ws with diamond tweeters always force me out of the room within minutes. The Kef LS50s shocked me with how distorted they are. Magician speakers in the M series.
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