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Cambridge Audio Minx Loudspeaker Discussion Thread - Page 35

post #1021 of 1431
1/10/13 at 8:24am
Hi All,

Just a tit-bit of info for you - As the New Year Sales are in full swing here in the UK, I visited Richer Sounds who has been heavily advertising their "Sale" & all the amazing bargains to be had but I noticed the Minx speakers were still at full price. I asked why these never seem to be discounted or on offer even during the sales & was told that they are what is termed "Discount & Sale Exempt" Products whose prices will not ever go down! As I suspected it seems the prices are fixed in stone but hopefully all the folks outside of the UK can strike some deals with any dealers/online stores that might be offering them as here in the UK we will not have that option!

Bazzy!
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post #1022 of 1431
1/10/13 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazzy View Post

Just a tit-bit of info for you - As the New Year Sales are in full swing here in the UK, I visited Richer Sounds who has been heavily advertising their "Sale" & all the amazing bargains to be had but I noticed the Minx speakers were still at full price. I asked why these never seem to be discounted or on offer even during the sales & was told that they are what is termed "Discount & Sale Exempt" Products whose prices will not ever go down! As I suspected it seems the prices are fixed in stone but hopefully all the folks outside of the UK can strike some deals with any dealers/online stores that might be offering them as here in the UK we will not have that option!

It's pretty much the same in the US, only they call it "adhering to MAP" (Manufacturers Advertised Price). CA is one of the few companies stilling holding on to that antiquated policy; at this point most other companies have long since realized discounts are critical to product sales, so they've abandoned the practice. If a distributor is found to have violate the policy -- and sold product for less than the advertised price -- they can actually lose the ability to sell all CA products.
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post #1023 of 1431
1/10/13 at 9:15am
Hey hoping you can maybe help me...I purchased the min11 with the x200 sub and am running them with a new Yama RXA 1020

I find I can barely turn them up - I like music a little loud..not crazy..but they pop and crackle...do I need to run them for a certain amount of time before they work proper??

I thought with the sub the speakers would mostly be used for tweeter / mid range etc..but soon as there is some bass in the music they make a popping sound???

They sound great when at low levels...but.....
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post #1024 of 1431
1/10/13 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff2112 View Post

I thought with the sub the speakers would mostly be used for tweeter / mid range etc..but soon as there is some bass in the music they make a popping sound???

The popping sound is only coming from the speakers? What do you have the crossover set for?
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post #1025 of 1431
1/10/13 at 10:23am
Quote:
... I purchased the min11 with the x200 sub and am running them with a new Yama RXA 1020

I find I can barely turn them up - I like music a little loud..not crazy..but they pop and crackle...
According to the product page for the speakers:
Quote:
Using a high powered amplifier lower down its volume scale results in lower distortion and better sound. Of course if you hear a distorted sound or mechanical ‘crack’ as the speakers hit their end stops, you are playing the speakers too loud and this may cause damage. With an AVR the Min11/21 speakers should be set to ‘small’ with a crossover frequency of 140Hz.

Edited by eljaycanuck - 1/10/13 at 10:40am
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post #1026 of 1431
1/10/13 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff2112 View Post

Hey hoping you can maybe help me...I purchased the min11 with the x200 sub and am running them with a new Yama RXA 1020...

...They sound great when at low levels...but.....

As a rule I would never crank up the volume on new speakers. All speakers need a break in period, and this is particularly true of the Minx.

And, as others have said, you may have the crossover set inappropriately, putting too much burden on the BMR.
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post #1027 of 1431
1/10/13 at 11:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimWilson View Post

If a distributor is found to have violate the policy -- and sold product for less than the advertised price -- they can actually lose the ability to sell all CA products.

Hi Jim,

It is precisely this attitude why Colonies of The Americas was lost by the British 200 odd years ago - some habits just refuse to die on this side of the pond! - sorry to digress!

Bazzy!
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post #1028 of 1431
1/10/13 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

According to the product page for the speakers:

Quote:
Using a high powered amplifier lower down its volume scale results in lower distortion and better sound. Of course if you hear a distorted sound or mechanical ‘crack’ as the speakers hit their end stops, you are playing the speakers too loud and this may cause damage. With an AVR the Min11/21 speakers should be set to ‘small’ with a crossover frequency of 140Hz.

Good catch - I'll bet that's what he hears.
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post #1029 of 1431
1/10/13 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazzy View Post

Hi Jim,

It is precisely this attitude why Colonies of The Americas was lost by the British 200 odd years ago - some habits just refuse to die on this side of the pond! - sorry to digress!

Bazzy!

Although you joke, in a way you're right. Taxes on tea!
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post #1030 of 1431
1/10/13 at 10:14pm
Brand new X300 subwoofer for sale:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1451146/cambridge-audio-x300-subwoofer-brand-new-unopened
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post #1031 of 1431
1/11/13 at 5:54am
Hey Jim..would you know how I check the crossover on my amp? I've been searching...I guess i'm lost!!! wink.gif thanks,
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post #1032 of 1431
1/11/13 at 5:56am
Thread Starter 
^ I see by your Post that you have a Yamaha RX-A1020. Not familiar with that specific AVR manufacturer but you should have an area where your able to set the crossover for your Subwoofer in Bass Management. I would select 140 or 150 Hz. Make sure your Subwoofer is connected to the "Sub" input on your AVR.
Edited by Perpendicular - 1/11/13 at 6:08am
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post #1033 of 1431
1/11/13 at 6:15am
Thread Starter 
You have room correction in your AVR called YPAO. I would run it and see what the AVR sets everything to. Be sure to go in and manually change the Subwoofer setting to 140 or 150 HZ. Plus, make sure speakers are set to 'Small". If you need an online manual, it can be found under the "Downloads" tab on this page.
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post #1034 of 1431
1/11/13 at 6:37am
thanks...so I went in to set manual - give me optins of like 62.5Hz or 157.5Hz or 396.9Hz or 1.00kHz or 2.52kHz or 6.35kHz or 16kHz

also has Q? set at 1.00

Gain 0.00dB

I set it at 157.5 I can get it louder now..which is nice...just wondering what you think it should be set at?

thanks again...much appreciated..

Jeff
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post #1035 of 1431
1/11/13 at 10:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff2112 View Post

thanks...so I went in to set manual - give me optins of like 62.5Hz or 157.5Hz or 396.9Hz or 1.00kHz or 2.52kHz or 6.35kHz or 16kHz

I'm not sure what those number are. redface.gif Crossover frequency numbers appear as 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150 and 200 Hz.
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post #1036 of 1431
1/11/13 at 10:52pm
Thread Starter 
Jeff,

I would Post a question in the appropriate Thread for your AVR and see if you can get someone to guide you into it's settings.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1415108/the-official-yamaha-aventage-rx-a1020-rx-a2020-and-rx-a3020-thread
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post #1037 of 1431
1/12/13 at 6:20am
ok thanks again...very much appreciated!!!

Jeff
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post #1038 of 1431
1/12/13 at 10:00am
Thread Starter 
If all else fails, follow the instructions on pages 40-47 for YPAO and pages 100-102 for loudspeaker setup of your Yamaha AVR instruction manual regarding your settings. If you need help, contact me via a PM. Though, time zone differences may delay communication response times. smile.gif
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post #1039 of 1431
1/12/13 at 10:21am
Thread Starter 
^ btw, I don't know if Yamaha package a manual with their AVR or not but here's a link to the digital version: http://download.yamaha.com/search/download
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post #1040 of 1431
1/12/13 at 1:11pm
Thread Starter 
Could these possibly be the type of satellite speakers that we wished Cambridge Audio would have developed in the first place? Sorry, this Thread is veering away from the OT but I just had to Post this information on Gallo's new satellites. This may be my next satellite speaker. I like the fact that it plays down to 80 Hz and it's enclosure is made out of Aluminum instead of Thermo plastic. Maybe, Jim can talk Gallo into a demo pair? biggrin.gif

Quote:
Anthony Gallo Acoustics Displays Audiophile Versions of Micro Ti and A'Diva Ti Speakers at CES 2013
Visit http://roundsound.com for further information

The company's Micro SE and A'Diva SE satellite speakers offer a dramatic improvement over their award-winning predecessors

Submitted on 01/04/13, 11:07 AM

Anthony Gallo Acoustics (AGA) won rave reviews from both the media and consumers alike with its Ti Series of Micro's and A'Diva's. Now, the company is introducing the latest incarnation of these miniature miracles with the Micro SE and A'Diva SE (Special Edition), which are enclosed in 4"- and 5"-diameter all-metal spheres respectively, but perform like much larger audiophile speakers. One of the benefits of the new speakers' technology is the ability to present a vivid, 3-D soundstage regardless of your listening position. AGA will be displaying these new speakers at CES 2013 in room 29-334 at the Venetian.



“For the past 15 years we have been searching the world over for the 'Holy Grail' of small, single, full-range drivers. One that would outperform the best woofer/tweeter combinations in terms of resolution, transparency and dispersion," says AGA founder Anthony Gallo. "Since such a transducer did not exist, we knew we would have to create one. So, we got busy trying different combinations of materials and topologies to achieve the perfect flat diaphragm driver for our new Micro/A'Diva Special Edition satellite speakers. After hundreds of experiments and prototypes, and almost 15 years later, we nailed it! Finally, we have created tiny satellite speakers that fit in the palm of your hand that, not only are amazing as desktop/tablet speakers, but in several ways exceed the performance of many stereo and home theater speakers regardless of size or price."

These new SE speakers utilize a proprietary, ultra-wide dispersion, flat-diaphragm transducer, which covers a frequency range from 80Hz to 22kHz (A'Diva SE). And, because there is only one single driver, the Micro SE and A'Diva SE have no need for a crossover, which invariably hurts the sound. The SE's also utilize the company's OPT (Optimized Pulse Technology) and patented S2 damping-control pods, which eliminate all fatiguing colorations, enclosure resonances and distortions. AGA recommends pairing these with their new TR-1D or TR-3D subwoofer for a complete, audiophile-grade desktop, stereo or home theater system.
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post #1041 of 1431
1/12/13 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 
^ More info. I think they have steel enclosures, not Aluminum as I previously stated. redface.gif

Quote:
Gallo is overhauling its acclaimed lines of orb-shaped metal-clad satellite speakers with the new A'Diva and Micro lines, which are five and four inches in diameter, and sell for $329 and $239 each. Both use a new full-range driver that is said to offer wider dispersion, though at the cost of a slight reduction in efficiency. Don't worry, an average receiver should be able to run them fine.

Edited by Perpendicular - 1/12/13 at 1:37pm
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post #1042 of 1431
1/12/13 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perpendicular View Post

Could these possibly be the type of satellite speakers that we wished Cambridge Audio would have developed in the first place? Sorry, this Thread is veering away from the OT but I just had to Post this information on Gallo's new satellites. This may be my next satellite speaker. I like the fact that it plays down to 80 Hz and it's enclosure is made out of Aluminum instead of Thermo plastic.

Curious; CES is over, yet nothing about these new speakers is on their website yet.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Perpendicular View Post

Maybe, Jim can talk Gallo into a demo pair? biggrin.gif

Ya never know. I already have a contact at their PR firm because they're the ones who arranged for me to review one of Gallo's... oops, almost let the cat out of the bag. tongue.gif
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post #1043 of 1431
1/12/13 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
I already have a contact at their PR firm because they're the ones who arranged for me to review one of Gallo's... oops, almost let the cat out of the bag.


You are such a tease! biggrin.gif
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post #1044 of 1431
1/12/13 at 8:34pm
I was reading about these a day or two ago.

Flat diaphragm driver, wide dispersion, no crossover.....Does that mean BMR?
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post #1045 of 1431
1/13/13 at 1:09am
Interesting thing. In 2008 Q Acoustics...a UK Speaker company...had a BMR based system:

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-and-av-speakers/q-acoustics-q-av-speaker-system--363539/review

I don't think they make them anymore, but the article talks about how the sub/bmr crossover is also 120 hz. It goes on to discuss how critical volume on the sub (using this crossover point) is to avoid what they call "disembodied bass."
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post #1046 of 1431
1/13/13 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

It goes on to discuss how critical volume on the sub (using this crossover point) is to avoid what they call "disembodied bass."

This is true! I found that the smaller the driver, the higher the crossover has to be to avoid it.
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post #1047 of 1431
1/13/13 at 9:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

Interesting thing. In 2008 Q Acoustics...a UK Speaker company...had a BMR based system:

Along with the ones already mentioned -- like Naim -- there are other companies that seem to get it as well. For example, Rega has the RS10 and Etude sells the Etude 1. CEAD makes in-celing BMR's even. And I'm not certain if this is a BMR on steroids, but Manger's MSW Transducer sure reads like a BMR.

Unfortunately, these are all fringe players so there won't be a lot of exposure for the general public. Invisible is not good.
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post #1048 of 1431
1/13/13 at 10:42am
So, does anyone have an idea about the "flat" diaphragm driver in the Gallos? confused.gif
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post #1049 of 1431
1/13/13 at 12:33pm
Thread Starter 
^ It looks like we may have to wait on a official release statement by Gallo Acoustics. Plus, it's anyone's guess when they will be available for purchase.
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post #1050 of 1431
1/13/13 at 2:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimWilson View Post

... And I'm not certain if this is a BMR on steroids, but Manger's MSW Transducer sure reads like a BMR.

The Manger driver's odd. The driver seems like a BMR, but there is no reference to it as having normal piston action at lower frequencies. They refer only to the bending wave action, producing similar results to what we know of BMRs. Frequency response is 80hz to 35khz.

Then there is the peculiar star design surrounding the driver, which is supposed to dampen resonance if I recall correctly.

The prices of the driver and the finished speaker products are astronomical and lunatic. About 700 British pounds for the driver (if you'd like to try a DIY, Jim), and 6900 pounds for a tower speaker utilizing the drivers.

I guess they're only for use in Busckingham Palace.

Personally, I'll pass on them.,
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