Speaker Accessories and Maintenance
Performance parameters for most speakers are set at the factory.
Sensitivity, frequency response, impedance curve, filter characteristics
etc. are inherent in the design itself and cannot be changed unless parts
themselves are changed.
Certainly, the quality of the overall sound you get is also due in part to
the quality of the component drivers used, (woofers, tweeters, etc.),
cabinet matching parameters to the physics of the bass drivers, and filter
component types and quality of parts. The quality of the sound you hear is
also dependent on the quality of the associated electronics used to power
the speakers - receivers, amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, and those components
that provide sound sources, such as CD players, DVD players, cassette decks,
turntables, etc. As with most products in life some are made with greater
care and better parts, and in turn can increase the overall quality of the
sound you hear in areas of detail, clarity, articulation, 3-dimensionality,
depth, stage, etc.
However, often forgotten, simple items that can substantially influence the
quality of the sound you hear from your speakers are the accessories for
such. They are as follows:
1. Speaker cables and terminal connectors
The audiophile elite are well aware of these accessories and their added
virtues to increased sound performance and overall enjoyment of the system.
However, I find that even today many, many people have no idea they can
substantially improve their system with just a little thought given to
these accessories.
It does not take audiophile or educated ears to quickly hear the difference
good speaker and interconnect cables can make for a system. I would venture
to say that most folks, when they buy a CD player, cassette deck, etc.
tend to use the cables that come in the box. With speakers the cable is
usually an afterthought and end up taking home some very inexpensive 18
gauge zip cord, which is the equivalent to lamp cord. This is also the
interconnect cable type provided with most components. The speakers should
certainly play using this type of cable, but typically not with the detail
and clarity they are capable of providing. Consequently, the purchaser
immediately shortchanges him or herself by 50% or more of the quality of
sound of which the speakers themselves and the system in general are
capable.
Two basic types of quality speaker cables exist today, multi-stranded and
solid core. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but either
type from reputable companies will provide a considerable increase in sound
performance quality over standard 18 gauge cable. Such brands as Monster
Cable, Audioquest, DH Labs, Kimber Cable, and several others make cables
specifically to enhance and improve both speaker and component performance.
They usually employ heavier gauges of high quality copper and advanced
di-electric materials, all done in multiple configurations of windings. All
offer several levels of products in price and performance, and interestingly
start in price at very affordable levels.
Think of it this way, the better the quality of your system components the
better the quality of your speaker and interconnect cable should be. If you
have a pair of $200-$400 speakers powered by a typical receiver, then you
might consider popular to moderately priced cables to go with such, and so
forth. The enjoyment level of listening to your system will definitely go
up. It is also nice to know you are getting the best from your system that
it has to offer, and all for which you paid.
Another very simply and easy way to improve your system sound quality is
with "Feet". If you have been in any quality stereo stores you probably
noticed things like speaker stands that have tiny spikes on the bottom of
the foundation. Many floor-standing speakers come with them being screwed
directly into the cabinet bottom. These little spikes provide one of the
most dramatic sound enhancements you can get from your speakers.
The physics of such all have to do with pressure per square inch. If your
speaker weighs 20 lbs. and is a square foot in shape, and the bottom of the
cabinet is sitting directly on the floor then that 20 lbs. is exerting a
pressure against 144 square inches of floor area, or 7.2 lbs per square
inch. This is not a lot of pressure and consequently when sound is played
both the speaker and the floor tend to vibrate independent of each other.
When this happens these vibrations can interfere with one another,
especially in the bass range, which in turn produces a muddy, lifeless
overall sound.
Now, if you put 4 of these little spiked feet on the bottom of the cabinet
things quickly change. The 4 tiny little points of these feet that the 20
lb. cabinet now sits on is exerting a very different pressure downward. The
4 points of these feet may only be a mini-fraction of a square inch, say
100th to 1000th of such each. Now the pressure is 720 to 7200 lbs. per
square inch per point. The pressure weight is now so heavy that the speaker
now thinks it is part of the floor as if it is truly attached to it or part
of it. The end result is that they both vibrate in unison as if one piece.
All the muddiness now goes away, bass tones become very clear and the
mid-range detailed and articulate. This is something anyone can hear and is
immediate in change when the feet are used.
If your stands or speakers does not have these spiked feet, check out your
local audio store for a product known as "Tip-toes" or the equivalent. They
are not expensive and well worth your money in system gratification and
enjoyment. They can help your components in much the same manner if used
under each of them as well.
When you do buy cables make sure the terminal connectors are consistent with
your component requirements, and that they are good connectors. Banana plugs
and spade connectors are typical with speaker cables, and RCA type
connectors with interconnect cables. Make sure that such connectors can be
tightly secured when attached and make good contact. Secondly, if you want
to minimize oxidation of the contact point look for gold plated terminals.
They will minimize corrosion and keep your system playing well longer.
As for maintenance, I suggest a couple of things to consider. At least twice
a year be sure to clean all cable contact points on your system. This means
all the terminals on your components as well and the speakers. Just a little
bit of oxidation can degrade performance considerably. Any electrical
contact cleaner will do and can be applied with Q-tips.
Secondly, with respect to the speakers, once a year take out the driver
components, rotate them 180 degrees and then put them back. The mechanical
suspension system of a woofer or cone driven component can weaken over time.
If left one way over time the voice coil may begin to drag a little, which
will result in non-linear motion of the driver reducing output capability
and producing a rasping in sound. If this happens you will need to get a
replacement. Save yourself the trouble and do the rotation once a year.
I hope these tips will help you improve the enjoyment quality of your sound
systems. Good luck with them and drop me note once in a while to let me know
how they have worked out for you.
Respectfully,
Philip R. Clements
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