100dB Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 It’s been a few years since I dropped in. Much has happened: Moved. Retired. Got sick. Got better. Came out of retirement. Son went off to college (and took some of my audio stuff), and much more... It’s good to be back. Did you ever date someone and your head is telling you that this should be the best relationship ever, but your heart isn’t in it? Try as you might, the thrill isn’t there. That’s happening to me, with a beautiful pair of Belles I recently picked up as a birthday present to myself. i know the qualities I expected. They sounded good, if not great, when I auditioned them. I knew of the shortcomings. And they’re so beautiful! Still, it ain’t happening. In the past, I’ve had Heresy IIIs, and Cornscala #Ds. Recording monitors, and Maggie’s. With the Belle’s I’ve tried two different tube amps that I made myself, and a good SS amp. I’ve moved them to the wall; away from the wall; toed in; straight across; with eq and without. My soul isn’t getting it. Help! I have the original paperwork, and glass tops for the cabs. I’m not in a position to make them a project for myself. Do I really need new crossovers? Or drivers? Or horns? I love “all original”, and these are all original. 1982. AA crossovers. What am I doing wrong that I’m getting ear bites with every playing? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 What is your associated equipment? BTW, I love your art work..... Shakey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codewritinfool Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 You haven't said exactly what you find lacking. You know, like "if only they had more ......." "If only the ...... were better", whatever. Those are beautiful Belles, by the way. And cool artwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 Nuforce dda-120 SS integrated. Two Elekit TU-H82s, one with a ‘62 Cifte 12AU7, and one with a ‘52 Tung-Sol Black Glass/Black plate 12AU7. Been streaming from Deezer by and large, in 16/44. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 I find that they have a pronounced bump with a center frequency around 7kHz. The lack of bass was something I was prepared for. Imaging is vague, but that’s fine. This was just a great find, and I’m a bit underwhelmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 32 minutes ago, 100dB said: It’s been a few years since I dropped in. Much has happened: Moved. Retired. Got sick. Got better. Came out of retirement. Son went off to college (and took some of my audio stuff), and much more... It’s good to be back. Did you ever date someone and your head is telling you that this should be the best relationship ever, but your heart isn’t in it? Try as you might, the thrill isn’t there. That’s happening to me, with a beautiful pair of Belles I recently picked up as a birthday present to myself. i know the qualities I expected. They sounded good, if not great, when I auditioned them. I knew of the shortcomings. And they’re so beautiful! Still, it ain’t happening. In the past, I’ve had Heresy IIIs, and Cornscala #Ds. Recording monitors, and Maggie’s. With the Belle’s I’ve tried two different tube amps that I made myself, and a good SS amp. I’ve moved them to the wall; away from the wall; toed in; straight across; with eq and without. My soul isn’t getting it. Help! I have the original paperwork, and glass tops for the cabs. I’m not in a position to make them a project for myself. Do I really need new crossovers? Or drivers? Or horns? I love “all original”, and these are all original. 1982. AA crossovers. What am I doing wrong that I’m getting ear bites with every playing? Thoughts? 25 minutes ago, Shakeydeal said: What is your associated equipment? BTW, I love your art work..... Shakey I thought of that too but with this image Have one to sell?Sell on Amazon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 nice speakers by the way ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 18 minutes ago, 100dB said: I find that they have a pronounced bump with a center frequency around 7kHz. The lack of bass was something I was prepared for. Imaging is vague, but that’s fine. This was just a great find, and I’m a bit underwhelmed. what is your room layout ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MookieStl Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 If it ain't going to happen for you, it just ain't going to happen. No speaker is everything to everybody. I for one, love my Belles. You have tried many of the right things but I would not give up until you have a least tried to recap the cross over. The AA is a good crossover but the caps are way past their prime. It would still be original, just new caps. It's like putting new spark plugs in your classic car. Some parts just wear out. I was happy with my first set of Belles and then when I updated the cross over, they hit a new level. Worth a try. Nice looking set. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 What should I expect with “freshened” or new xovers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 Room is 30 ft long, 16 ft deep (from wall behind Belles to back wall), 9 ft ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 8 minutes ago, 100dB said: What should I expect with “freshened” or new xovers? that's where I'm at with the la scala's.. just having the network's in spec... for about $100 or less... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 Just now, 100dB said: Room is 30 ft long, 16 ft deep (from wall behind Belles to back wall), 9 ft ceiling. any corners to place them in ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 No good corners, no. Fireplace and front door on end, kitchen on the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 Just now, 100dB said: No good corners, no. Fireplace and front door on end, kitchen on the other. corners would help with the bottom end... and your speakers should need more room to breath... they are to close together... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 So, spread them out AND come away from the wall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstrickland1 Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 I experienced this very same thing. I was hoping for a pretty LaScala but just got a prettier speaker. Circled back but to LaScala II's and got pretty and fantastic sound. In my room the Belles with refreshed crossovers couldn't touch Lacalas with 33 year old AA's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtmudd Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 2 minutes ago, 100dB said: So, spread them out AND come away from the wall? that should help.. and toe them in a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100dB Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 Gotcha. I might try a little PNC (Pinot Noir Calibration) also. Just to listen a little less critically. 😉 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom b. 57 Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 I lusted after Belle's for years. I too thought they would sound comparable to the Lascalas I owned. I was wrong. In my room they just didn't do it for me. My Cornwalls seem to be the ticket for me. They do a lot right and very little left for me to want. Belle's are beautiful. Good luck. Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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