[[email protected]]

Knowing the standards of folks who frequent this newsgroup, I have some
trepidation about even poking my head in here, but I could use some
advice. I have a piece o' crap 20-year old Fisher receiver that pumps
out a simpering 20 watts per channel to 20-year old two-way Altec
Lansing speakers with 10" woofers. One of the speakers appears to be
finally on its last legs, as low bass makes it emit odd
crackling/buzzing noises. I'm fairly certain it's not the stands it's
on, the noise seems to be coming from the speaker itself. So I may
finally be in the market for new speakers.

But the catch is I don't have the money to buy a new receiver as well,
though next year I probably could. At the moment I have $200 - $250 to
spend. Right now Amazon has a sale on Sony SS-MF750H speakers, with
free shipping. Dual 8" woofers, 3 way speakers with a 35 - 50Mhz
range. Consumer Reports has always liked them a lot, for what that
counts. Considering the quality I'm used to, is there any better way
to fill a 13' x 12' room with sound? I know there are bookshelf
speakers of supposedly higher quality I could go for in that price
range. I play music obviously, but the main duty is actually to be
hooked up to my TV set for movie viewing.

So, given a small room, small budget, poor receiver, are there any
better options?

Thanks.

[Arny Krueger]

wrote in message
ups.com

Knowing the standards of folks who frequent this
newsgroup, I have some trepidation about even poking my
head in here, but I could use some advice. I have a
piece o' crap 20-year old Fisher receiver that pumps out
a simpering 20 watts per channel to 20-year old two-way
Altec Lansing speakers with 10" woofers. One of the
speakers appears to be finally on its last legs, as low
bass makes it emit odd crackling/buzzing noises. I'm
fairly certain it's not the stands it's on, the noise
seems to be coming from the speaker itself. So I may
finally be in the market for new speakers.

Four classic words about speakers to contemplate:

Pardigm, PSB, Boston Acoustics, NHT

But the catch is I don't have the money to buy a new
receiver as well, though next year I probably could.

Consider the Sherwood RX-4105.

At the moment I have $200 - $250 to spend. Right now Amazon
has a sale on Sony SS-MF750H speakers, with free
shipping. Dual 8" woofers, 3 way speakers with a 35 -
50Mhz range. Consumer Reports has always liked them a
lot, for what that counts. Considering the quality I'm
used to, is there any better way to fill a 13' x 12' room
with sound? I know there are bookshelf speakers of
supposedly higher quality I could go for in that price
range. I play music obviously, but the main duty is
actually to be hooked up to my TV set for movie viewing.

Never heard them, but there are a lot of favorable online reviews, including
mention of top ratings by CU. One of the guys who tests consumer electronics
for CU was my lab partner in engineering school. I've toured their labs and
talked to their top tech people. I wouldn't dismiss their ratings quickly.

So, given a small room, small budget, poor receiver, are
there any better options?

Find a dealer with good return policies in case they don't work well with
your room.

Also, try reversing the connections to your speakers from left to right to
be sure that your receiver is still fairly blameless.

[Shhhh! I'm Listening to Reason!]

wrote:
Knowing the standards of folks who frequent this newsgroup, I have some
trepidation about even poking my head in here, but I could use some
advice. I have a piece o' crap 20-year old Fisher receiver that pumps
out a simpering 20 watts per channel to 20-year old two-way Altec
Lansing speakers with 10" woofers. One of the speakers appears to be
finally on its last legs, as low bass makes it emit odd
crackling/buzzing noises. I'm fairly certain it's not the stands it's
on, the noise seems to be coming from the speaker itself. So I may
finally be in the market for new speakers.

But the catch is I don't have the money to buy a new receiver as well,
though next year I probably could. At the moment I have $200 - $250 to
spend. Right now Amazon has a sale on Sony SS-MF750H speakers, with
free shipping. Dual 8" woofers, 3 way speakers with a 35 - 50Mhz
range. Consumer Reports has always liked them a lot, for what that
counts. Considering the quality I'm used to, is there any better way
to fill a 13' x 12' room with sound? I know there are bookshelf
speakers of supposedly higher quality I could go for in that price
range. I play music obviously, but the main duty is actually to be
hooked up to my TV set for movie viewing.

So, given a small room, small budget, poor receiver, are there any
better options?

If you're otherwise happy with the speakers that you currently have,
you might consider getting the woofer that appears blown reconed.
Typically you can have that done for $50-60. Search online for speaker
repair. Most metropolitan areas will have at least one, or you can ship
it.

A quick search brought up this:

http://www.simplyspeakers.com/16reconing.htm

Of course, I would verify that this is the problem first...

[ScottW]

"Shhhh! I'm Listening to Reason!" wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:
Knowing the standards of folks who frequent this newsgroup, I have some
trepidation about even poking my head in here, but I could use some
advice. I have a piece o' crap 20-year old Fisher receiver that pumps
out a simpering 20 watts per channel to 20-year old two-way Altec
Lansing speakers with 10" woofers. One of the speakers appears to be
finally on its last legs, as low bass makes it emit odd
crackling/buzzing noises. I'm fairly certain it's not the stands it's
on, the noise seems to be coming from the speaker itself. So I may
finally be in the market for new speakers.

But the catch is I don't have the money to buy a new receiver as well,
though next year I probably could. At the moment I have $200 - $250 to
spend. Right now Amazon has a sale on Sony SS-MF750H speakers, with
free shipping. Dual 8" woofers, 3 way speakers with a 35 - 50Mhz
range. Consumer Reports has always liked them a lot, for what that
counts. Considering the quality I'm used to, is there any better way
to fill a 13' x 12' room with sound? I know there are bookshelf
speakers of supposedly higher quality I could go for in that price
range. I play music obviously, but the main duty is actually to be
hooked up to my TV set for movie viewing.

So, given a small room, small budget, poor receiver, are there any
better options?

If you're otherwise happy with the speakers that you currently have,
you might consider getting the woofer that appears blown reconed.
Typically you can have that done for $50-60. Search online for speaker
repair. Most metropolitan areas will have at least one, or you can ship
it.

A quick search brought up this:

http://www.simplyspeakers.com/16reconing.htm

Of course, I would verify that this is the problem first...

It may only be the surrounds...cheaper yet to repair and easily
done on your own.

ScottW

[Shhhh! I'm Listening to Reason!]

Arny Krueger wrote:

One of the guys who tests consumer electronics
for CU was my lab partner in engineering school.

Why, I had no idea, Arns!

Are you an EE or an ME?

Or are you an SE?;-)

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the advice. I did isolate the problem. One thing I know is
the fault of my receiver, though, has puzzled me for years. When I
first turn the stereo on, both channels crackle. The crackling quickly
subsides. But when I change the volume, I get more crackling, no
matter how long the stereo's been on. It's not constant, but flipping
the volume knob back and forth makes both speakers crackle. Any idea
what's up with that?

Arny Krueger wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com

Knowing the standards of folks who frequent this
newsgroup, I have some trepidation about even poking my
head in here, but I could use some advice. I have a
piece o' crap 20-year old Fisher receiver that pumps out
a simpering 20 watts per channel to 20-year old two-way
Altec Lansing speakers with 10" woofers. One of the
speakers appears to be finally on its last legs, as low
bass makes it emit odd crackling/buzzing noises. I'm
fairly certain it's not the stands it's on, the noise
seems to be coming from the speaker itself. So I may
finally be in the market for new speakers.

Four classic words about speakers to contemplate:

Pardigm, PSB, Boston Acoustics, NHT

But the catch is I don't have the money to buy a new
receiver as well, though next year I probably could.

Consider the Sherwood RX-4105.

At the moment I have $200 - $250 to spend. Right now Amazon
has a sale on Sony SS-MF750H speakers, with free
shipping. Dual 8" woofers, 3 way speakers with a 35 -
50Mhz range. Consumer Reports has always liked them a
lot, for what that counts. Considering the quality I'm
used to, is there any better way to fill a 13' x 12' room
with sound? I know there are bookshelf speakers of
supposedly higher quality I could go for in that price
range. I play music obviously, but the main duty is
actually to be hooked up to my TV set for movie viewing.

Never heard them, but there are a lot of favorable online reviews, including
mention of top ratings by CU. One of the guys who tests consumer electronics
for CU was my lab partner in engineering school. I've toured their labs and
talked to their top tech people. I wouldn't dismiss their ratings quickly.

So, given a small room, small budget, poor receiver, are
there any better options?

Find a dealer with good return policies in case they don't work well with
your room.

Also, try reversing the connections to your speakers from left to right to
be sure that your receiver is still fairly blameless.

[Arny Krueger]

wrote in message

ups.com
Thanks for the advice. I did isolate the problem. One
thing I know is the fault of my receiver, though, has
puzzled me for years. When I first turn the stereo on,
both channels crackle.

Probably due to dirty switch or level control contacts.

The crackling quickly subsides.


But when I change the volume, I get more crackling, no
matter how long the stereo's been on. It's not constant,
but flipping the volume knob back and forth makes both
speakers crackle. Any idea what's up with that?

Probably due to dirty level control contacts.

You can buy contact cleaner at most electronics stores. Unplug the unit and
remove the case to shoot the cleaner into the various contacts. Move the
switch knobs as you do this to dislodge any debris.

[Sander deWaal]

"Arny Krueger" said:

wrote in message

oups.com
Thanks for the advice. I did isolate the problem. One
thing I know is the fault of my receiver, though, has
puzzled me for years. When I first turn the stereo on,
both channels crackle.


Probably due to dirty switch or level control contacts.


The crackling quickly subsides.


This actually leads me to believe some electrolytics are on their way
out.

In short, your receiver needs an overhaul.
Replacing electrolytics, resoldering the PCB boards, cleaning or
replacing switches and potmeters, and perhaps some small signal
transistors.
Types such as 2SC458 etc. are prone to crackling and noise problems,
as their leads are suffering from oxidation.
You can check this by looking at them, the leads will show a black
tarnish that will also affect the internals of the transistors.

And be sure to clean or replace the speaker relay as well.

If you're able to handle a soldering iron, this job will cost you
maybe 2 hours, and some small stuff like electrolytics and
transistors.
Actual replacements for small signal NPN types (2SC, 2SD) are 2SC2240,
for PNP types (2SA, 2SB) are 2SA970.
Readily available from Digikey, Mouser, and perhaps even Radioshack.

--

- Maggies are an addiction for life. -