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SC-1 Center Speaker Sounds Terrible! Why?


belial

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I demoed this speaker before ordering one online and it sounded great--best center I've heard. I ordered one online and got it today and it sounds crumby--kind of tinny, is the best way I can describe it, without much depth or sense of expansion. I've heard many people talking about a "breaking in" period when it comes to new speakers -- could this be the problem?

I know the setup in the store was not the same as what I have at home, but I tried to factor for that as much as possible ...

Could I just have a bad speaker? If so I have 15 days to return it if I do.

Are there any tests I could run to determine what might be wrong with it, if anything?

Any advice much appreciated!

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Don't really know what to tell you. I had an sc-1 for several months up until a week ago. It sounded great. I got rid of it to get an rc-3. If you think it doen't sound right return it and try another. If the second one doesn't sound good to you, go for an rc-3. They can be had for not really all that much more, and the difference is incredible. You may want to take your sc1 to a local dealer and compare it to another, that could save you shipping charges.

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Hey thanks, Foost, I appreciate your advice!

I think there might be a bit of "breaking in", because after an hour or so of playing music through the SC-1, it is starting to sound a little better. It still sounds slightly distorted up close though.

I thought of taking it into the local shop to compare, but the reason I bought online in the first place, besides the lower price, is that the local Klipsh dealer here is, well, somewhat sleazy. For instance, floor models--i.e. used models--are only 5% off the already inflated price. And you only have three days to make a return!

That's why I thought I'd rather take my chances on line.

As for the RC-3, I'm sure you're right about it sounding better than the SC-1, but I'm planning on getting the SF-2 towers, and the SC-1 is what Klipsh says makes a good match. Do you think the RC-3 would work with the SF-2 towers? I'm concerned it might overpower them.

Thanks again for your response!

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Hey Belial, I noticed a similar "problem" with my sc-1. I noticed quite a bit of difference in sound if you change the center speaker from Large to Small on your A/V receiver. It sounded tinny. My suggestion is to set the center channel to Larger speaker, even though the Klipsch manual suggests the opposite. It worked well for me.

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Thanks for the advice, AChris. I did try that and it didn't seem to make any difference in the sound quality for me. The speaker sounds both boxy and tinny, and the sound of say a sheet rustling comes off a little crackley. I just hope my dealer didn't sell me a bad one.

I'm either going to try a replacement, or an upgrade to the rc-3.

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belial:

Before you try another speaker (hope it isn't too late) you might want to check the wire connections to it to make sure, first, that you are in phase (+ to + and - to -)and second, that the connections are not loose.

The SC-1 is the best match for the SF-2's.

PhilH

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Hey PhilH, no it's not too late, I ordered the sc-1 online and supposedly have 15 days to return it if it is "defective," which I think it must be because it just doesn't sound anywhere as good as the one I listened to in a local store.

That speaker was crisp and clear, this one seems dull and almost boombox like. I'm not sure what a blown speaker sounds like but I'm guessing it would be very obvious and this isn't that bad -- but it sure isn't good either.

As for getting the + and the - right, yes that was the first thing I double checked. And I've messed with the dB level as well. Sounds a little better with a higher dB, but not that much better.

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