I'm noticing some distortion all of the sudden on my supercenter xl run off a Denon x3300. I've had a calibration I've really liked running since about a month ago (used the audyssey app which is awesome) and haven't changed any speakers or settings since. Today I was watching the sully uhd disc with atmos and I heard some very clear distortion in my center channel (only on a single, very bass heavy scene toward the end of the movie) Watched mad max uhd with atmos right after and heard zero distortion. I then watched Fate of the furious with dts: x and heard identical center channel distortion only on a single very bass heavy scene. Why all of the sudden am I noticing this? I've watched plenty of movies under this calibration with zero issues. All speakers are crossed at 80 like they have been for months, I'm stumped. My full equipment list is below, I typically listen at -5.0db from reference. Is it possible my speaker is bad all of the sudden? As a side note, I am able to remove the distortion by raising the volume to -7.5db (on sully, distortion was still present to -12.0db on fate of the furious)


65" LGB6, Denon x3300 (5.1.2), 2x Goldenear triton 7 mains, Goldenear supercenter xl center, 2x Goldenear aon 2 surrounds, 2x micca m-8c for in ceiling top middle Dolby atmos, bic f12 subwoofer, Ps4 pro, UBD-k8500.

Hi Ma1746,
Sorry to hear about the trouble.
It will take some trouble shooting on your part.
You said you get distortion in the center channel when playing a bass heavy scene.
BUT you said the SC XL is crossed over at 80 Hz. Which does not jive. Pls check again that for a fact, the center channel is set to small and crossed over at 80 Hz. IF it is, then no real bass should be going to it.
Have you played the XL extra loud for some reason recently? Some mistake that caused a howling sound through your speakers?
Of course it is always possible that the speaker drivers have been damaged. BUT then that distortion should not go away, only lessen in volume if you turn down the sound going to the speaker.
You will have to check more and get back to us, but this is the place, there are people here who can help you figure it out. Or you can take the center in to your dealer and he can find the problem, IF indeed the problem is in the speaker. It might NOT be, could be in the Denon.
Hope you get it sorted out soon, and happily,
God Bless,
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

I did confirm that all speakers are crossed at 80hz. I do get a fair amount of air movement from the midrange drivers as well as the bass radiator on all content. To my knowledge there is still an abundance of bass information from 80hz-250hz so I’d expect bass from the center. The distortion certainly goes away if I lower the volume so I’m less concerned that it’s a speaker defect. Hoping someone with a similar issue can chime and and report their experience. I guess it’s possible I’m pushing my amp too hard.

MA1746,

Are there any loose parts on the speaker? A loose end cap or rubber spike? Sounds like something is rattling at a certain frequency and volume level. That has happened when the base on my T1s have gotten loose. Just another low tech step to potentially solve the problem.

Cheers,

T Cobe

Just checked, no, everything is solid and tight. It’s a very audible crackling coming from the midrange drivers. I’ve never heard low frequency distortion before, only high frequency on older lesser quality speakers. It definitely appears to be the speaker and not it’s environment.

Sounds like a trip to your local dealer is in order. Let us know what you decide to do and what it turns out to be. Thank you.

Cheers,

T Cobe