Do Old speakers means Bad speakers?

[curiousashish]

Friends,

My old Denon X550bt died so I replaced it with Denon XT1800H.

Guy who came to install said my speaker models look very old so he checked.

I have:
5-channel Denon center, bought in 2008
3-channel Denon front towers, bought in 2008
2-channel Sony surrounds, bought in 1998
All 6ohm

We opened front covers of all and checked.
Found tweeter on Front-left damaged, so removed tweeter.
All else looked ok.

Now, he said:

Point 1. I should NOT connect Front-left to AVR otherwise it will damage my AVR.
Is this true? Can a missing tweeter damage AVR?

Point 2. All speakers are old, so I should replace all
Is this true? Does old means bad?

Point 3. After buying AVR, out of money, but can manage 50k more for speakers.
How should I spend it?
(Quotes I got: Fronts Polk T50 30k ; Center Polk-T30 15k ; Sub Polk psw-10 30k ; Polk MXT-10 34k)

My main use is movies.

My limited knowledge and budget limitation says: Replace fronts ; add Sub ; Rest keep as it is.

Please help!
Thanks!

 

[rwnano]

My speakers are Irving m Bud Fried Signature A6 transmission line speakers from 1997. Old is good

 

[General_sound]

I agree with Rwano. Speakers last a long long time. However due various factors the speakers may develop the following problems.
1. Degradation of cone material and /or surrounds due to atmospheric degradation or even materials used during manufacture. For example the surround of a well known speaker company developed cracks in the surround after 5 years.
2. Paper cone tweeters may simply disintegrate over time. Replacement is the solution
3.Ferrofluid cooled dome tweeters may develop defect due to ‘hardening’ of the fluid.
4. Speakers may develop problems due to overdriving, spikes or other amplifier related problems.
5. That being said, proper storage, careful handling and replacement of electrolytic capacitors and defective components will ensure your speakers work for decades. Many old Tannoys are still going strong.

 

[arunkvivek]

Friends,

My old Denon X550bt died so I replaced it with Denon XT1800H.

Guy who came to install said my speaker models look very old so he checked.

I have:
5-channel Denon center, bought in 2008
3-channel Denon front towers, bought in 2008
2-channel Sony surrounds, bought in 1998
All 6ohm

We opened front covers of all and checked.
Found tweeter on Front-left damaged, so removed tweeter.
All else looked ok.

Now, he said:

Point 1. I should NOT connect Front-left to AVR otherwise it will damage my AVR.
Is this true? Can a missing tweeter damage AVR?

Point 2. All speakers are old, so I should replace all
Is this true? Does old means bad?

Point 3. After buying AVR, out of money, but can manage 50k more for speakers.
How should I spend it?
(Quotes I got: Fronts Polk T50 30k ; Center Polk-T30 15k ; Sub Polk psw-10 30k ; Polk MXT-10 34k)

My main use is movies.

My limited knowledge and budget limitation says: Replace fronts ; add Sub ; Rest keep as it is.

Please help!
Thanks!

Old speakers aren't bad... The AVR guy has managed to successfully sow the seed for upgrade.

Broken tweeters breaking AVR - unsure as I am not qualified electronics person. But, I do have a pair of speakers with broken tweeter running fine for 6+ years.

If you succumb to upgrade itch, please do buy LCR of same brand. Upgrade SW based on room size. Need not buy everything in one go

 

[Passive_audio_enthusiast]

My speakers are Irving m Bud Fried Signature A6 transmission line speakers from 1997. Old is good

Bud fried is rare. Never sell it

 

[rwnano]

Bud fried is rare. Never sell it

Transmission line speakers have an interesting sound...deep tight bass. Bud Fried used series crossover too... slightly smoother. Great for acoustic guitar etc..live music. I'm using it with an Old 2004-05 Harman kardon AVR amplifier which are high current capacity philosophy. Good sound. @sandeeprao has heard them.

 

[Hari Iyer]

My spkrs are from 1955 soviet era drivers

 

[curiousashish]

Thank you friends for your inputs. So:
Point 2: It is clear I do not need to replace speakers just because they are old.
Point 1: Can missing tweeter damage AVR? Can some expert please guide?
Point 3: I will add sub (Polk psw-10 30k unless you say Polk MXT-10 34k is much better). I can spend 35k for sub.

 

[Analogous]

I have a pair from 1960s the Acoustic Research AR2ax.
The previous owner replaced the surrounds. It sounds very good for a vintage speaker. It can not obviously compare with modern well engineered speakers with better technology and measurements. The high frequency response is rolled off and it never sounds harsh or sibilant. The base is quite satisfying if not as fast as newer 10” woofers. If I am not analytical and just want to enjoy music it does provide this well.

 

[sandeepmohan]

Guy who came to install said my speaker models look very old so he checked.

For the love of god, please do not entertain such retards in to your house.

If you do not connect your front left to the AVR, how exactly is it going to play? Where is it going to get power from?
How did they determine the tweeter was damaged?
Quality loudspeakers do not require replacement. Ever.

As long as all the loudspeakers are working alright, you do no need to replace them.

The speaker with the blown tweeter can be fixed, that is, if its actually blown. If its just a punched dust cap, leave it as it is.

 

[General_sound]

My spkrs are from 1955 soviet era drivers

This is from the year I was born. Need to hear them

 

[prateekatasniya]

Not necessary..
And even new speakers can be bad..

 

[Hari Iyer]

This is from the year I was born. Need to hear them

This is from the year I was born. Need to hear them

Sure, I stay at Thane. Your location shows Noida. Whenever you come Mumbai side, you can plan.
Thanks,

 

[chander]

Point 1: Can missing tweeter damage AVR? Can some expert please guide?

Not sure what you mean by damaged tweeter. Possible to post a picture?

Also you mentioned the guy removed the tweeter - I hope you have it handy and it has not been binned.

 

[General_sound]

Sure, I stay at Thane. Your location shows Noida. Whenever you come Mumbai side, you can plan.
Thanks,

Hi. I am in Mumbai till the 7th Feb. Let me see if Thane is feasible. Thanks a lot