crappie credos

Posted by: phil. S on 30 September 2001

I have over the past two months become a naimophile through the purchase of my first system:
CD5 - 112 - 150 - flatcap2 - credos

The system sounded superb in the dealers demo room and I couldn't wait to get it home. All the equipment was new except the Credos which were second hand, (with the internal crossover). After a couple of weeks I had the system set up at home except for the flatcap2 and the external crossover upgrade I had ordered for the Credos.
The sound was truly superb and many an evening passed by enjoying my limited number of CDs' (this is my first CD player). I revelled in how similar the sound was to my Sondeck.
Then disaster struck!!!!!!!
My dealer installed the flatcap and internal crossover. Yes the sound opened up, at both high and low frequencies, but the low bass became unbearable. It was one note, bloated, in your face type bass. I tried to live with it for a week to see if the system improved. No chance. I have tried the Flatcap on both CD5 and 112, only on the CD5, only on the 112, and not at all! Still the sound is awful. As well as the bass problem its lost its sparkle, I could easily fall asleep whilst listening....Arrrhh.
So it seems the "upgraded" external crossover is to blame. Has anybody experienced anything similar? I would like to hear from you.
I spoke to my dealer today and he will come around for a listen later in the week.
In the meantime I have replaced the Credos with my 14 year old Rogers LS3/5A's on Linn Kan stands. Wow, now I know why I kept these little beauties so long. Yes I know...... they have no bass to speak of and the top end can get a little ragged, but, they are one of the most musical speakers I have ever heard. The feet were tapping in no time and I wondered why I had decided to sell them. They will stay in pole position until the Credos are sorted out and then I may just put them into loft storage instead of selling them in case they are required again in the future.
I digress, what I really wanted to ask is, has anybody had a similar experience with their Credos, or have I just got a knackered crossover?

Posted on: 03 October 2001 by phil. S
Come on you lot !!! Am I the only person to ever experience this problem?
Posted on: 03 October 2001 by MarkEJ
... is not to fix the Credo crossover units to the back of the cabinets; leaving them hanging free may improve things. I do agree that you should have had loads of informed replies by now!

Your dealer is in the best position to fix this, as he can actually see the room and experience the problem first hand. It may be a positioning issue, or the new crossovers may be duff (not that this is likely!).

Those who actually own Credos would be in a much better position to help!

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

Posted on: 03 October 2001 by garyi
I can offer no technical advice. However I owned Credos for a number of years with the external crossover and too my ears were great, i think as the above says this is an issue with your dealer.

Perhaps the credo bass speakers have had a hard life, (second hand and all) been driven to hard or what ever and the external crossovers have bought this out. Perhaps you have been done with some second hand cross overs.

either way as I say I loved my credos, don't give up on them or put it down to them being crap, this is a cop out, They are good speakers, go see your dealer.

Posted on: 04 October 2001 by phil. S
Thanks for your responses, some great tips there.

My dealer came around tonight and we spent two hours changing various bits. We moved interconnect cables, unravelled speaker cables, moved them from under the carpet, tried the Credos in about 20 different positions (including the middle of the room) unplugged the FC2, plugged it back in, tried an expensive extension socket, put the CD5 on the floor, on a chair, loosened the external crossover,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The PRaT definately improved, but that bass resonance would not go away. Dealer is convinced the crossovers are ok and the fault is with the room accoustics. Next step is to take the Credos to the shop and see what they sound like there. If they sound the same, its the crossover, if they are ok, its my room.
If the room is to blame I will be looking for another pair of speakers, up to £1000, any models I should definately audition???????

Thanks

Regards

Phil

Posted on: 05 October 2001 by Peter C
In my experience, I heard the Credo's when they first come out and they left me underwhelmed.

What strikes me as a better option is a secondhand pair of SBL's.

Older SBL's can be obtained from around £700 upwards and they are definitely a better option than Credo's.