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If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

Exhibit A for: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

Object Lesson: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Say It's Broke and Damage the Good Reputation of A Well Regarded Company So You Can Make Money on Gullible Viewers

This is a critical review by Audio Science Review regarding a speaker crossover upgrade kit sold by GR Research for the Ascend Sierra-2EX V2 speakers. The video features a neutral A/B comparison and argues, with evidence, that the measurement methodology was flawed, that the performance was made worse, that false concerns about impedance are asserted, and overall there is no objective evidence of improvement and that the Ascend Sierra-2EX V2 is already a well-engineered speaker that does not require aftermarket modifications. 

https://youtu.be/BhTnK0UiGgA?si=WMFcvHliLGh9xxNk

hilde45
wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,475 posts
 

@hilde45 You’re correct that I have a general ASR negative basis. Busted. Will you still be sending me a lavish Christmas gift?

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,587 posts
 

So let’s just imagine for a second that ASR put listening over measurements. 
 

Who would care?  It’s just another opinion at that point.  Everybody has one. 
 

Just the facts ma’am.  I can form my own opinions. So can everyone else.

 
 

mitch2
4,731 posts
 

Speaking in general, and not to the specific issue, the premise of suggesting to a group of audiophiles that they not fix stuff that isn't broken is more than a little amusing. Cables, fuses, de-jitter boxes, damping weights, footers, piezoelectric shielding crystals, outlet covers, fiber-optic conversion, and on and on.  Logic and measurements are not going to fix all the "fixing" that goes on around here!

andy2
1,619 posts
 

The speakers are fairly priced at 1700.00USD.  My take is the upgrade is quite expensive at 500.00USD or more.  It's probably not worth it.  He might have picked the wrong speakers to upgrade the xover.

There might be case to upgrade if the original xover using very high order filters that the improvement may be had if the order is lower order, but looking at the graph it seems the original xover and the upgraded xover is using the same 4th order filter.  Also the ribbon tweeter do not have very good low frequency response so you can only go with 4th order filter.

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