RTi A9 speaker abnormality

Stirling
Stirling Posts: 22
edited December 2010 in Speakers
Hi

I just received my new RTi A9's 2 days ago and just noticed a abnormal top midrange driver discoloration. I don't notice any sound issues but being a brand new( expensive) purchase I am curious if it is the start of material breakdown or water/chemical contamination during the manufacture process
I attached 2 pics to show a good a not so good looking speaker
thanks...
Post edited by Stirling on
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited December 2010
    I would think that Polk will replace that, if your purchase was through an authorized dealer. Call them on Monday (# in top, right corner of screen).
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    I bought them through Crutchfield...It sucks that I have to drive all the way to TO 2 days after receiving them...you would think they would see something like that during manufacturing...I'll give them a call on Monday

    thanks
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2010
    Stirling wrote: »
    I bought them through Crutchfield...It sucks that I have to drive all the way to TO 2 days after receiving them...you would think they would see something like that during manufacturing...I'll give them a call on Monday

    thanks

    Well, they didn't catch it. And it could have happened after production, during packaging, during the -30deg FedEx flight from China, maybe when the newly hired holiday truck stuffer tossed it in the tractor trailer....who knows. I bet that it gets taken care of in a jiffy from Crutchfield and/or Polk Audio w/ ZERO driving involved...problem solved.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2010
    Stirling wrote: »
    Hi

    I just received my new RTi A9's 2 days ago and just noticed a abnormal top midrange driver discoloration. I don't notice any sound issues but being a brand new( expensive) purchase I am curious if it is the start of material breakdown or water/chemical contamination during the manufacture process
    I attached 2 pics to show a good a not so good looking speaker
    thanks...

    It's certainly weird. I'm sure it's just that and I'd be more concerned if you actually heard a difference. It's just a dust cover and has nothing to do with actual sound.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    I realize the many steps involved and I hope you are correct about the zero driving....they sound beautiful and I don't want to let them go!
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    if it just a dust cover what would be the audible difference ( if any) if say this issue caused the cover to eventually dry and crack?..it does LOOK weird though..
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited December 2010
    Questionable quality control
    otherwise its speculation what occurred

    Your warranty should cover the replacement.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,787
    edited December 2010
    Stirling wrote: »
    if it just a dust cover what would be the audible difference ( if any) if say this issue caused the cover to eventually dry and crack?..it does LOOK weird though..

    Zero audible difference, it's just a dust cover. Stop worrying, Polk will make it right as they have the best CS around, period.
    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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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    thanks F1nut and everyone...first big speaker purchase and without knowing what the cause is by nature there is always a bit or worrying:biggrin:
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2010
    AudioGenics wrote: »
    Questionable quality control
    otherwise its speculation what occurred.

    It's also speculation that it was questionable quality control...
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2010
    Oh and Stirling,

    Welcome to CP, and that's a badass speaker you got there!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited December 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Zero audible difference, it's just a dust cover. Stop worrying, Polk will make it right as they have the best CS around, period.

    Crutchfield is very good, too! Either/or - you'll be taken care of PRONTO!
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited December 2010
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    It's also speculation that it was questionable quality control...

    agreed...
    IF the speakers having passed QC had left the factory distribution in its' original sealed packaging to the dealer and then to the customer intact .

    IF the packaging were resealed then all bets are off.

    Wonder if there is any evidence that the cartons were opened and resealed ?
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    the cartons looked super sealed...
    I will post again on Monday once I talk to someone

    S
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    thanks falconcry72

    just finishing putting together my first and most likely last HT system for awhile ...VISA is cooling in the freezer!:eek:
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2010
    Welcome to CP. As the others mentioned CF or Polk will definitely get you taken care of. Had a problem with a driver in my Rti12s, and CF had me a replacement in 4 days and that was fast considering I'm in Japan.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    Hi Sherardp

    Did they replace the whole speaker....or just the driver... if so did you instal it?
    Because mine doesn't exhibit any issues sound wise..purely cosmetic as I have been told I am not sure how to proceed but I will talk to them Monday anyway


    thanks

    S
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,787
    edited December 2010
    Remove the 4 allen head screws, pull out the driver with the silver trim ring, detach the two wires noting where they go, install the new driver.
    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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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    pretty simple...are they soldered?

    S
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,787
    edited December 2010
    No, push on terminals.
    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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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    very easy then!...if it comes to that.

    Thanks F1nut
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited December 2010
    Yes by all means customer service should take care of this pronto. Call them first thing Monday. :cool:
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2010
    I love the "...questionable quality control..." comment. This could have happened at anytime and to immediately suggest poor quality control based on a single post, on a single forum, of a single driver? Interesting.

    Stirling is gonna be squared away as everyone is when it comes to Polk CS, plain and simple.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited December 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I love the "...questionable quality control..." comment.

    I retract my comment regarding
    questionable quality control .

    My apologies to the QC folks
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  • Stirling
    Stirling Posts: 22
    edited December 2010
    Update:

    I sent an email to both Crutchfield and Polk. They both responded. I actually got a call from Gil Pellerano and he told me he would try his best to fix this. I then got a email from Walter Moser and he said that a new driver would be sent out immediately...it arrived a day later. It was a very easy instal...actually took me longer to track down the correct Hex key. The driver was outside all day on my front step and its colder than a witches **** out there so I thought I would let it warm up first before turning everything on...but..yes great CS from both side of the border!

    S
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2010
    Walter rulez, keep him on on your radar and props go out to Gil as well. The support structure of Polk is NOT a fake out....it's beyond HQ.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2010
    Stirling wrote: »
    Update:...he said that a new driver would be sent out immediately...it arrived a day later. S

    Doesn't get much better than that!

    Enjoy your now perfect Polks!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2010
    Sorry for the delay Stirling, but I see F1 got you taken care of. Glad the A9's are back to business and your enjoying them.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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