Ok - hello all. I’m a long time music lover whose life was taken over by family and career but who - at the age of 54 - is breaking cover once again with a new job, end of marriage and basically a whole new life. And my attention has turned to my sound system.
Back in 1995 I invested in an NAD 304 integrated amp, a marantz CD player, 5120 turntable and a pair of TDL RTL3 floor standing speakers. The CD player has long since departed, the turntable I have had to to replace - and I’m left staring at my amp and speakers. After some years with my son at university and also a period stored in the garage (my soon to be ex wife didn’t like the look of them!) my amp and speakers are back out and being run.
Things aren’t good. I also knew the 304 was underpowered for them, but now the sound is thin, tinny almost and high frequencies aren’t great. All seems to lack bass. Basically - I’ve got to do something.
I’ve been out the loop too long… so some advice please. Is it worth investing in new drivers and new tweeters for the floorstanders? Or should I get rid and get new. And what about my NAD 304? Works fine. I seem to remember folk saying it was a very good pre amp if used in that way, but with such a low output maybe I should also move it on?
All thoughts appreciated. Won’t be doing anything with it until 2026 - need to move house, start my new job and sort post divorce finances out. But in 2026 I’d like a decent sound platform operating again. I like my Sonos Bluetooth speaker at low to mid volume… but I crave that room filling, floor bouncing sound that floorstanders can give. I need to revel in Bon Scott and Angus Young again!!
Back in 1995 I invested in an NAD 304 integrated amp, a marantz CD player, 5120 turntable and a pair of TDL RTL3 floor standing speakers. The CD player has long since departed, the turntable I have had to to replace - and I’m left staring at my amp and speakers. After some years with my son at university and also a period stored in the garage (my soon to be ex wife didn’t like the look of them!) my amp and speakers are back out and being run.
Things aren’t good. I also knew the 304 was underpowered for them, but now the sound is thin, tinny almost and high frequencies aren’t great. All seems to lack bass. Basically - I’ve got to do something.
I’ve been out the loop too long… so some advice please. Is it worth investing in new drivers and new tweeters for the floorstanders? Or should I get rid and get new. And what about my NAD 304? Works fine. I seem to remember folk saying it was a very good pre amp if used in that way, but with such a low output maybe I should also move it on?
All thoughts appreciated. Won’t be doing anything with it until 2026 - need to move house, start my new job and sort post divorce finances out. But in 2026 I’d like a decent sound platform operating again. I like my Sonos Bluetooth speaker at low to mid volume… but I crave that room filling, floor bouncing sound that floorstanders can give. I need to revel in Bon Scott and Angus Young again!!
Hello and welcome to diyAudio!
Getting different drivers to work in an existing enclosure and even with an existing crossover is not worth the hassle. You would need some serious measuring equipment and then why not build entirelly new speakers?
How do the rubber surrounds look and feel like? Old rubber can harden and change the driver parameters for the worse.
The tweeter has (had) ferrofluid in the magnet gap that can dry out after dome time and change (worsen) the response.
Speaker technology has advanced quite a lot since those speakers were built. But maybe they have a sentimental value for you?
Speakers are 8 Ohm and if you don't drive them really hard, any amp should be fine.
No, rather build a new pair.
Getting different drivers to work in an existing enclosure and even with an existing crossover is not worth the hassle. You would need some serious measuring equipment and then why not build entirelly new speakers?
Did you try moving the speakers around in your room?
How do the rubber surrounds look and feel like? Old rubber can harden and change the driver parameters for the worse.
The tweeter has (had) ferrofluid in the magnet gap that can dry out after dome time and change (worsen) the response.
Speaker technology has advanced quite a lot since those speakers were built. But maybe they have a sentimental value for you?
I don’t think sentimental value is a factor. From the sound of it some new speakers might be the way to go. Any suggestions at around £500, or maybe a touch more?
Maybe someone with market knowledge can chime in ...
Some specifications would be useful:
- Diy speaker following instructions?
- speaker kit?
- finished commercial product?
- speaker size restrictions?
- room size and desired spl level (background ... party level)?
- listening situation: one defined listening spot?
- music genre/taste?
- also used for home cinema?