Are Brystons OK with capacitive loads? I had a 7B that tripped the house breaker every time I turned it on...
I also had no issues with my scinnies with most amps (not pushed tho), but most all my amps had a difficult time with my Acoustat Model 3...no issues yet with my 2+2... If bias is low, they will be more difficult to drive.
I played around with bias voltage on my 2+2 and definitely see an improvement with higher bias voltage. Check your bias voltage at the red wire connection - using a standard 10 meg ohm meter, should be around 75vdc (5kv), I added one more diode / cap multiplier "Rung" (adds approx 1kv) and sounds better and amp has easier time...
I also did the Spectra 11 "Ultrasonic Fix" from Andy and was able to raise bias pin to 85v and it definitely was easier to drive and sounded better - I could go all the way to 100v without panel buzzing, but that may lead the panel to be "louder" than the woofers.....they were "voiced" at 5kv...
Andy,
Thank you for clarifying on the diaphragm work. I checked for that random ticking in the left upper panel (sound system in off mode) and that ticking is still there however extremely faint and having your ear on the panel, so I think an improvement there.
On the fabric cover, fabric will be well away from all stock wiring. Thank you for fire safety feedback.
Day off today (in thanks to all active and past military folks), so a power down, dismantle panels from the interface, one last inspection/spot cleaning and installation of the new socks.
John,
Thanks for your note on the bias voltage, more later.
Query: The previous owner installed small casters on the underside of the bases to facilitate moving the 1+1's around (he had several pairs of ESL's). I am curious about general thoughts on the bases up on casters like spike feet of sorts. Any sonic benefits? I am entertaining removing them. Were Acoustat bases furnished with any padding or rubber feet out of the box?
Spiegs
I doubt there are any sonic benefits to having casters on the bases. And, since casters have moving parts that could rattle, they could be the source of extraneous noises. Unless you need to move the speakers frequently, I would suggest you remove the casters. Also, having casters might allow the speakers to be moved inadvertently, after you spent all that effort in determining the speakers' perfect placement.
Some of the early Acoustat models were supplied with a combination of leveling feet and casters, but for the majority of Acoustat models, no feet or pads were supplied with the speaker. Some of the Spectra models have four T-nuts on the bottom of the base, which allow the use of spiked feet.
However, no feet were supplied with the speaker.
If your speaker is sitting on carpet, I would suggest that nothing is necessary. If it's on bare floor, some rubber feet might be a good idea to prevent any chance of vibration against the hard floor.
There's actually a fair amount of force when the speakers play loudly and there is bass (especially), so the lever effect happens. This means that in theory the speaker tries to move in equal and opposite direction to the diaphragm. Since the base is heavy (relatively) and wide(r), the top is fairly light, the speaker wants to rock - it's small motion but perhaps enough to be measured as phase shifts.
Some have reported that adding mass to the base (and/or increasing the surface area of the base), connecting the base strongly to the floor, AND adding a triangulating strut from the top to the base in the rear helps in terms of HF clarity and perhaps bass.
Ymmv, of course.
...alternately, one might apply a screw jack or "lally column" (used for holding up the main beam or floors in the basement) from the top of 1+1 to a joist in the ceiling. That ought to hold it firmly!
Some have reported that adding mass to the base (and/or increasing the surface area of the base), connecting the base strongly to the floor, AND adding a triangulating strut from the top to the base in the rear helps in terms of HF clarity and perhaps bass.
Ymmv, of course.
...alternately, one might apply a screw jack or "lally column" (used for holding up the main beam or floors in the basement) from the top of 1+1 to a joist in the ceiling. That ought to hold it firmly!
Thanks Bear and Andy for addressing my query.
A lally column, and other supplemental supports, I think are not for me. I have read articles noting that spikes actually direct resonances (bass) more directly to the floor and thus the structure, adding to room resonances as opposed to reducing resonances. I see the science fact here, but I'm not completely in agreement.
I think the casters will come off this w/e and I'll keep it honest for a while.
All the wire runs have been cleaned and cell wiring carefully swabbed - Q-tip 'n alcohol, then vac'd again in case of any errant swab fibers were about. That was a headache, really, I got a headache or two while doing that - plus it was a pain in the ***.
Probably worth it though.
The new socks are on and the panels are charging up!
Thanks again, more later.
A lally column, and other supplemental supports, I think are not for me. I have read articles noting that spikes actually direct resonances (bass) more directly to the floor and thus the structure, adding to room resonances as opposed to reducing resonances. I see the science fact here, but I'm not completely in agreement.
I think the casters will come off this w/e and I'll keep it honest for a while.
All the wire runs have been cleaned and cell wiring carefully swabbed - Q-tip 'n alcohol, then vac'd again in case of any errant swab fibers were about. That was a headache, really, I got a headache or two while doing that - plus it was a pain in the ***.
Probably worth it though.
The new socks are on and the panels are charging up!
Thanks again, more later.
Yeah the lally column was a bit tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top.
As far as directing bass to the floor with spikes, perhaps with a hardwood floor, but not with a carpeted floor, where anything on top of the carpet unless it is massively heavy will float to some degree.
Enjoy your 1+1 speakers. They are amp "sensitive" and I'd recommend something else than the amp you presently have. You may find that in time the right set of subwoofers will add icing to your "cake". 😀
_-_-
As far as directing bass to the floor with spikes, perhaps with a hardwood floor, but not with a carpeted floor, where anything on top of the carpet unless it is massively heavy will float to some degree.
Enjoy your 1+1 speakers. They are amp "sensitive" and I'd recommend something else than the amp you presently have. You may find that in time the right set of subwoofers will add icing to your "cake". 😀
_-_-
Give them a good bath BUT don't forget to unplug them 🙂 like Andy said very mild soap ( Dawn ) and rince at least three times let them dry a couple of days just to be sure i have owned Spectra 22s - 33s - 2+2s - and this is my third and final pair of 1+1s they are my favorite BUT if you like your music loud get the 2+2s or 3+3s ( 6s - Spectra 66s / 6600s long live Acoustat i will die before my Acoustats leave my home that's a certainty.
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