Speaker sounds awful - what's my next step?

Rhaegar
Rhaegar Posts: 2
edited May 2010 in Troubleshooting
Hello, thank you for your time.

I recently purchased 2 monitor 50's, 2 monitor 70's, 1 CS2, 1 PSW505 - and I bought a Onkyo TX-SR707 reciever to power it all.

I used the Audyssey MultEQ room correction and speaker set up procedures found in the Onkyo manual.

One of the monitor 50's makes a very ugly sound when base tones are expressed. (Sorry, the description may not be technical but I'm doing my best.)

I played several different pieces of music and a couple of blu-ray discs, I went from one side of the room to the other to listen to the other monitor 50 (used as my L&R surrounds) and it sounded fine under all conditions.

I pulled the grill to see if I could see anything obvious, I didn't. I rechecked the wiring making sure everthing was secure and correctly wired. It was. I played some bass heavy tracks and the monitor 50 that is troubled really sounded like death.

Oh, yes, I live in an apartment - less than a 1,000 sqf; I never played these loud - the loudest sound that has come out of them was from the odd noise the Audyseey setup pumped out (kind of a spooky sound, really).

At any rate, the topmost speaker in the monitor 50 is the one having the trouble. I gently placed my fingers on the speaker near the outter rubber ring and the ugly sound went away. With a pressure I'd use on my newborn son's cheek I gently pushed the "cone" (? - not the bulbous thing in the center, the volcano edged part) in and out about a quarter inch - it felt like it was catching on something. I went to the other monitor 50 and repeated this process and the "cone" moved inward nice and smooth (btw, I wasn't playing music through them at this point) so I felt maybe the something on the speaker case was impeding the movement (I've seen speakers but I've never really even held one, so I didn't know what was actually behind the surface of a speaker). I used an allen wrench, unscrewed the 4 screws, gently lifted the speaker out and quickly noted the speaker housing couldn't really cause a problem because of how the speaker is shaped (or at least it seemed this way to me). I sure hope I didn't void the warranty by looking into it like this.

Now, not knowing the design of speakers I don't know if this is normal, but the big magnet part is connected to a plate-looking thing and then the volcano-cone part rises from that; well, it looks like theres this big crack-looking thing between the magnet and the plate - it's probably only a about an 1/8" crack-ish thing but I have no way to know if this is part of the design or not - it doesn't look like it'd be designed that way but I really don't know. I wanted to check it against the other monitor 50's speaker but the only reason I had any courage to take out the speaker on the one is because it's basically broken or something...I don't want to mess with a speaker that sounds perfectly fine.

What's my next step?

Thank you,
Rhaegar

PS: I'm sorry for the fullness of this post and really hope it doesn't turn away the person(s) who has the inclination and information I need. I wanted to be somewhat thorough so I could get the best advice. Thanks again, -R
Post edited by Rhaegar on
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited April 2010
    You have a bad driver. Call Polk Customer Service on Monday, they'll take care of you.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited April 2010
    PS: I'm sorry for the fullness of this post and really hope it doesn't turn away the person(s) who has the inclination and information I need. I wanted to be somewhat thorough so I could get the best advice. Thanks again, -R
    Fact is the fullness of your post makes it easy for people to help you. Just do as F1nut is saying and you'll be fine. By the way, welcome to CP and I hope you stick around afterward since this forum is a great place to learn.

    Cheers!
    TK
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    You have a bad driver. Call Polk Customer Service on Monday, they'll take care of you.


    +1

    Also, be sure to mention that you're a Club Polk member for a VIP discount.;)
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    Knowing Polk customer service they are likely to send you one for free if its available.
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  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited April 2010
    I had the same issue as one of the drivers was damaged during shipping. Called Polk cs and had a new driver within a few days no questions asked for free. They will take great care of you just give them a call, don't email.
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    greyford1979 wrote: »
    I had the same issue as one of the drivers was damaged during shipping. Called Polk cs and had a new driver within a few days no questions asked for free. They will take great care of you just give them a call, don't email.

    Excellent advice!!!
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited April 2010
    Good luck...

    I just wanted to mention that the annoyingly loud and ugly noise when you do the audessey calibration is normal and there is nothing wrong at all with that! My second AVR is a Harman Kardon, and it's an even more annoying sound than the Onkyo calibration :)

    Welcome to Club Polk!

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

    Looks like the guys have you covered above. You definitely need a new driver. As said, Polk should take care of this quickly.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited April 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB

    _____________________________________
    01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
    02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
    03) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio
    04) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
    05) DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
    06) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
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    08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
    09) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
    10) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
    11) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
    12) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround back speakers)
    13) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround back speakers)
    14) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=98096
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Knowing Polk customer service they are likely to send you one for free if its available.


    Very true.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • dubradio
    dubradio Posts: 181
    edited April 2010
    Rhaegar,

    The other guys are correct, it sounds as though you have a faulty midrange driver. Provided that the speaker was purchased from an authorized polk dealer and you are located in the United states, If you email me a copy of your purchase invoice along with the serial number of the tower that is having the problem I can have a replacement driver sent out to you on monday when I am back in the office. Provide all of the info below in the email to KShufelt@polkaudio.com

    Full Name
    Shipping address
    Daytime telephone number
    Serial number of speaker
    Copy of purchase invoice
    link to this post (for reminder)


    -Kyle
    Polk CS/TS
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    How's that for customer service . . . replies at 11:50 PM on a Saturday night. Good on you Kyle!!!
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  • dubradio
    dubradio Posts: 181
    edited April 2010
    :) oh you know it, im the resident night owl from Polk Audio CS :)
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited April 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    How's that for customer service . . . replies at 11:50 PM on a Saturday night. Good on you Kyle!!!

    And this is why I stick with Polk, they actually care about their customers.

    Rhaegar, welcome to the club and stick around for a while; in no time you will no longer need to describe speaker parts are thingies lol ;)

    Enjoy your Polks!
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    KyleShufelt wrote: »
    :) oh you know it, im the resident night owl from Polk Audio CS :)

    eh, you mean part of the "VAMPIRE CLUB!" LOL!!!:p With Jesse as the #1 vampire!:D
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Doesn't Jesse sleep--well come to think of it--if you're not surrounded by neighbors the witching hours of the wee pre-morning are some of the best for listening? I don't have to worry...I'm 12 hours ahead of most of you. So I AM awake when you are sleeping.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    cnh wrote: »
    Doesn't Jesse sleep--well come to think of it--if you're not surrounded by neighbors the witching hours of the wee pre-morning are some of the best for listening? I don't have to worry...I'm 12 hours ahead of most of you. So I AM awake when you are sleeping.

    cnh

    I just got off the phone with him. No, he doesn't sleep until just before the sun rises!;):D

    The rig sounds it's best between 2 & 4 AM. No motors running, AC is off, no cars driving by, no one left alive!!! LOL! etc . . . throughout the neighborhood.
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  • Rhaegar
    Rhaegar Posts: 2
    edited April 2010
    Thank you one and all! Kyle, I sent you the information requested. What a friendly group of people. And yes, I like anyone in my position would be, am fully impressed with the customer service. On your day off, even!

    And I learned it's called a "driver" :)

    There's just something nice and comforting about good customer service; it really makes me feel more safe and secure about my purchase decision. Thank you-thank you!

    -Rhaegar
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Yep...Polk CS is some of the very best. Stick around and your audio vocabulary quotient will 'increase'. Driver is a good start!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    Rhaegar wrote: »
    Thank you one and all! Kyle, I sent you the information requested. What a friendly group of people. And yes, I like anyone in my position would be, am fully impressed with the customer service. On your day off, even!

    And I learned it's called a "driver" :)

    There's just something nice and comforting about good customer service; it really makes me feel more safe and secure about my purchase decision. Thank you-thank you!

    -Rhaegar

    Glad things are going well Sir.

    Stick around Rhaegar as this place is lot's of fun.
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  • tunaman4u2
    tunaman4u2 Posts: 7
    edited May 2010
    Glad I read this thread...

    I bought Monitor 70s, CS-2 & PSW505... The CS-2 has a buzz\crackling in the left cone only. The rest is great, checked all the connections.

    My bad tones are with any sound, not just with bass

    If I call will they send a new driver? A new unit? And do I have to send the current CS-2 back? I was going to box this unit right back up & bring it to work if Polk CS wanted me to mail it but from this thread it seems you just call & they ship a replacement driver\unit to you, correct?

    I really love the Polk stuff too BTW, shipping stuff happens. I'm glad I went with the PSW505 after everyone told me not to... its a fantastic sub
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2010
    You have to love CP and Polk customer service.

    Life is good.

    Welcome to CP BTW
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • tunaman4u2
    tunaman4u2 Posts: 7
    edited May 2010
    They are awesome, I've been on the AVSforum for a while & I am going to start a crusade on the Polk fan club to NOT ignore Polk subs...
    I also run the Onkyo 608 thread on AVSforum its a lot of guys have Polks! Being able to have a great encounter with Polk CS myself I'll be able to spread the word to a lot of people if they come through.
    Thanks
    Mike
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited May 2010
    Welcome to Club Polk tunaman!
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  • tunaman4u2
    tunaman4u2 Posts: 7
    edited May 2010
    Called Polk this A.M & new driver being sent to my door! FANTASTIC! What a great company. I've been active on AVSforum letting people know how well Polk treats their customers.
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  • btompolk
    btompolk Posts: 5
    edited May 2010
    I have a problem with one of my RT1000i speakers. It has what I would call a muffled sound. I have switched out the tweeters and the same problem exists. The mid seems to be working but like I say it sounds sort of muddy. Anyone have a problem like this before? Any suggestions would be helpful. By the way I really enjoy this forum, very informative. Thanks again
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  • dubradio
    dubradio Posts: 181
    edited May 2010
    btom,
    if you swapped the tweeters and are still having a muffled sound you may have a crossover that has failed. If you want shoot me an email @ kshufelt@polkaudio.com and I will go through some options we can offer you to have this resolved.
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  • btompolk
    btompolk Posts: 5
    edited May 2010
    Thanks Kyle for your input. I believe you hit the nail on the head. I yanked the crossover out and noticed a burned area at the sub connection. It is inside right where the RCA jacks are for the subwoofer inputs. I will be calling Technical Support to see if the board is still in stock or whether there is an upgraded board that will work. Thanks once again. Btompolk
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited May 2010
    WOW......Customer service at its best!
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