Advice please

1) speakers need a lot more time to run in than one or two days, so I wouldn't panic yet.

2) what speakers are they? Most likely there are folks on the forum who have a similar pair, and they could comment on what you're hearing or not hearing.

Herman

You'll always be a more discerning and capable listener in your normal listening environment. Consequently, you'll notice stuff at home that you would never recognize in another environment.

Taking your amp to the store was a good idea, but was the rest of the gear comparable to your home kit? If it was better than yours, then that may explain the relatively disappointing performance at home.

Regarding speaker positioning, start with them really near the wall (preferably in the corners), so that the bass sounds exaggerated. Slowly (a few inches at a time) move them into the room, until the bass seems a bit anemic. Then move them back to a place were the bass seems to be the best balance between those two endpoints.

Then experiment with toe-in. Start with them pointing straight forward. Then slowly turn them in until they're pointing to a spot well in front of you. Then turn them back until the "image" comes into focus.

Are they stand-mounted or floor-standing? If they are stand-mounted, are you using the same stand as they did in the shop? A stand can have a big impact on making a speaker sound "cohesive".

BTW, don't make the mistake of comparing them directly (and repeatedly) to the speakers that you had before. Too many people go out to buy new stereo gear, and end up buying something that sounds just like what they had before, because that's what they consider to be "normal". Instead, leave the new speakers in place for a week or so, and then replace them with your original speakers. If the old ones still sound "better", then probably picked the wrong speakers.

Good luck!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Thanks for the reply.

Although I gave them the 2 days before a first listen they have been in almost constant use for nearly a week which I thought would be more than long enough for them to settle down.

I used the speaker positioning technique and this doesn't help.

The CD Player is superior to the one in the shop.

The speaker stands are also superior and so should improve the performance of the speakers (arguably).

The speakers are PMC DB1's

Rob

[This message was edited by Robby on THURSDAY 13 November 2003 at 14:27.]

You need to talk to the dealer and, perhaps, to the PMC.

My suspicion is that your room is much different from the demo room, and that's the problem.

The dealer may be able to help with the positioning, and he may be able to help with a return. If he can't, a call to the manufacturer may provide satisfaction.

Regards.

Phil

Contact the dealer and get him to come to your home and listen to the results. If he can't get them to work to your satisfaction then get a refund and if he's not willing, contact PMC and complain.

BTW what was the sistem in the demo and what is your sistem.

Yours in Music

Syd

Are your speakers the ones you actually listened to in the shop or was that the dealer's "demo" pair and he supplied you a brand new set out of his stock room.

I have had brand new B&W's followed by brand new Totems. In both casee it took about a month before the speakers really started to give forth their full sound. After about 3 months I would say they were reaching their full performance.

However you should certainly get the dealer to come a listen to them. If he knows the speakers well he will be able to confirm it is just normal run in sound.

GEOFFP

Amazing what reading/listening gets you. James, I doff my hat to you.

Regards.

Phil