Quwiksilver

Thanks for the help! I did find a suspect connection behind the left channel binding posts, but I don't think it was causing any problems. Both woofers tested just fine before fixing that connection. Audiocvk: Interesting to note you've had problems with your sound blaster too. It takes a few minutes to switch between my onboard audio source and the X-Fi source, so it's not a completely sure way to tell but it seems like the onboard audio card is much less harsh then the X-Fi. Possibly a problem in the X-Fi is making my ears discharge fluids (haha...sorry too much information)? Johny: Are you saying 20W from the Marantz isn't enough to drive these speakers? I might have to disagree with that. Does anyone know what parts on these receivers commonly fail and change the sound? Also, can someone explain what the Loudness and Hi-Filter buttons actually do? It's also occurred to me that the SF-1's may have been too bright for me all along, as I've never actually sat in their "sweet spot". Before I'd have them positioned to the right and left of me, as opposed to an equilateral triangle setup.

Hi. I've had a pair of SF-1 floorstanders for about two years now and just recently they've become extremely fatiguing. They're being powered by a Marantz 2220B run by a Sound Blaster X-Fi sound card. I'm wondering is something is failing in the old Marantz receiver or the crossovers in the SF-1 pair. It's to the point where my ears will be ringing after the music stops (even at moderate listening levels) and the sound is pretty unpleasant. I do have young ears so that may have something to do with it, but like I've said these have been around for two years and I didn't notice this before. Any help would be appreciated...thanks.