Hardly car related, but I though I would share my thoughts on a system that has truly been affordable, not cutting edge but value oriented. I was the unfortunate recipient of a house fire settlement that afforded me the replacement of my home audio system. I took the opportunity to replace my beloved Boston Acoustics VR970′s with Dynaudio Audience 82 tower speakers. I was certainly partial to this system because it was one that I was able to purchase as a sales associate to the now defunct Good Guys Corp. (It doesn’t get any gooder) what a slogan.. no wonder their gone, nevertheless it was a steal.
I took the opportunity to finally crack open the boxes and see what I have been missing. Side note, I sold my old car that had what I deemed an epic car stereo system that consisted of four Zapco C2K Competition amplifiers with Esotec Dynaudio speakers. Audibly I was forever never the same, musical standards were expected.
I took advantage of some down time to setup the Audience 82′s and use some time away from home to let them break in. Despite those who are critical to true fidelity I chose a value added name in my components of Outlaw audio. I am a skeptic to high priced cables, but I am partial to quality components and cables but am not willing to sacrifice my kin nor my arm or leg.
Upon initial fire, my reactions were of some disappointment, midrange was blaring and fatiguing, tweeter’s were on point, bass muddy and poor. Break in schmakin….
11 Hours break in
Bass response has improved, a touch more punch with more definition, still not up to par. Tweeter’s as only Dyn can do them. Mid, lackluster.
16 hours break in
Mid is finally coming around, I’m sure Dynaudio chose the proper driver which appears to be a 5″ mid, similar in size to the center Audience 122c mid bass driver, which at this point I still think makes for a better mid than what they have chosen for the Audience 82.
18 hours break in, no change, mistake?
The more I listened to the Audience 82′s I felt a mistake in their design was made, the 3″ soft dome mid is what I wanted. The crossover gap between the mid and the bass driver sounded gaping. In frustration with muddy undefined bass I was looking for options.
18 hours break in… scratch head, wow I made some big mistakes… did I really buy crappy components, it can’t be the speakers?
Self doubt about my choices was beginning to set in. Outlaw Audio…. Internet only company, you get what you pay for, they don’t make any of there own products, shame on you. Dynaudio is a reputable name it can’t be their fault… can it?
18 hours break in, two feet away from the wall, ten feet in between, this can’t be.
Bliss.. really have we come that far with such a simple change? Components and cables be damned! I opted for no plugs in the ports on the Audience 82′s. I wanted to run this system in full bypass with no sub and no processing, zero modifications to the intended design. I was hell bent on confirming my purchase and looking for any way to justify it. Poor mid bass, epic tweeter, ever increasing taught bass, I was amiss. Lets move these babies, it has to work. Wow, what a difference.
19.5 hours break in, 1.2 hours solid listening
The lack of defined bass was bothering me, I was impressed with the extension, but left unimpressed with the the overall musical qualities. I opted to “place the towers” in what I deemed optimal position two feet from the back wall, ten feet in between, angled 20 degrees toward the listener. Sublime. Call me an expert, I take cash, call me 222-555-1212.
Mistake? Possibly a mistake in execution, component choices were solid.
Everything I read and wanted, I got. What’s left.. I’m happy. Looking forward to the magic 150-200 hour Dynaudio break in.
Enjoy.
