Might be getting back into the SDA club

13

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    newrival wrote: »
    the pr's on the 3.1's i believe were used in a few other models (10" from the monitor 10 perhaps?). If this is the case, they're on ebay frequently for about ~$25

    3.1's use a 12" passive radiator.

    Ron and I talked about it yesterday and he believes that the distortion I hear through the passive radiator is in fact because of a bad mid-woofer. Would make sense, and I do hope that it's just the mid-woofer itself that's bad.

    In the meantime, I'm just waiting until someone speaks up and sells me an MW6503.

    There are two on Ebay for $25+$10 s/h, but one of them won't ship until another week and the other seller's woofers have dented cones/patched rubber surround.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,467
    edited April 2011
    I might have a 6503... I will look when I get home, but I am holding it hostage for the SL3k's.:tongue::biggrin::wink:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2011
    newrival wrote: »
    the pr's on the 3.1's i believe were used in a few other models (10" from the monitor 10 perhaps?). If this is the case, they're on ebay frequently for about ~$25

    No, the 3.1TL PR was not used in any other Polk speaker.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    I might have a 6503... I will look when I get home, but I am holding it hostage for the SL3k's.:tongue::biggrin::wink:

    LOL

    Unless you've got some RD0-198's to send me beforehand, I'm not going to run my speakers without tweeters :wink:

    Need to finish the two-channel before I can 'modify/upgrade' bangin.gif
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,467
    edited April 2011
    J/K bro... If I got one, it's yours. I think I still have one left from my aborted center channel project.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    No worries.

    Just want to enjoy them already! lol....
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited April 2011
    Freddy called me last night and said he's getting bad distortion from the PR, yet there's no leak. I suggested that it's either something mechanical with the PR, a bad woofer or it's something in the LPF in the crossover. Thinking about this...I'm not sure how a wonky driver would distort out of the PR...so it's either the crossover or PR or both.

    What do you guys think.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2011
    I can't be sure based on the comments in this thread if Freddy has verified if a driver or drivers are blown. If he has determined which driver is bad then he needs to get a replacement before he can start to trouble shoot anything else.

    What is meant by "distortion" in the PR? How does he know it's coming from the PR. PR's are strictly mechanical and I have seen the spider come loose and or the weight, assuming they are weighted. I've also seen the styrofoam come loose. Distortion to me is cone break-up and the PR is passive so it has to be a mechanical (not electrical) issue if it is in fact comng from the PR.

    A better description of the noise and a physical inspection of the PR is in order. The x-over will not make the PR distort. It's not even hooked to the x-over.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    Before I gave Ron a call, I did a quick troubleshoot.

    When playing music, at lower than TV volumes, I heard distortion (such as a blown woofer, as if a voicecoil was rubbing) coming from the passive radiator.

    Keep in mind, before I even hooked any of Ron's gear up I did a leak test and all mid-woofers take about 5+ seconds until they seat back in original position.

    Anyway, while listening to music I went to each and every driver (in the tower with the distorting radiator) and gently pressed in and held each mid-woofer. Distortion continued to come from the passive radiator regardless of what mid-woofer I held in, however the distortion was slightly less audible (but still audible nonetheless) when I held in either of the lower MW6503's.

    I haven't taken any of the drivers out yet but I will and I'll test them individually. Hoping to find an MW replacement soon to see if the distortion goes away or not.

    I know the passive works like a port, and as Ron suggested that even though I get distortion through the passive it could still be a bad woofer. Thinking that the bad driver's distortion is simply being emphasized by the radiator. It's just weird that the distortion continues even if I gently/evenly press each individual woofer to it's fullest position backwards and still hear distortion.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2011
    A blown VC will pass a leak test everytime. A leak test won't tell you if the driver is blown unless the surround or spider has been physically damaged. Holding a driver while playing won't tell you much either. Each driver needs to be tested indivdually out of the cabinet unless you can isolate it by listening, sometime that works, sometimes it doesn't

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2011
    1) test all the drivers individually out of the cabinet

    2) physically inspect the PR.

    3) report back
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    A blown VC will pass a leak test everytime. A leak test won't tell you if the driver is blown unless the surround or spider has been physically damaged.

    Oh I know that, just thought I'd toss that in since I was asked if I did a leak test or not.

    I'll post a bump on my WTB ad.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    1) test all the drivers

    2) physically inspect the PR.

    3) report back

    Lol I'll start working on #1 now.

    Thanks Brock, will be back with results.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2011
    It's most likely a driver 1st, then it could be the x-over or both and lastly the PR could be physically deteriorated.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,339
    edited April 2011
    2) physically inspect the PR.

    Do This!! When I had my monitor 10's my passive was making a funny noise it took me a second to figure out what it was.. There was a little round hard cardboard looking thing in the center of the back side by the spider, the glue had gave way and would make a weird sound. I wasn't able to take it out and reglue it because of the basket so I gently drilled a small hole in it got it to lay flat and squirted some glue in the hole to set it.

    Not saying thats what it is, as I have yet to have my eyes on a set of 3.1's just a thought...

    Good luck!!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    So I pulled the passive radiator out first, and guess what?....

    Well, I guess there's a weight inside the woofer (as if underneath the dustcap) and it's moving around freely.

    On the otherside of the passive, everything's sealed up and looks perfectly normal. I wiggle around the passive, or flip it upside down/rightside up and it's obvious that something's loose and just clanking around in there.

    Guess I've got a bad passive! :frown:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • vstarkwell
    vstarkwell Posts: 328
    edited April 2011
    Congrats on the speakers!!!!! I wanna say this is a great thread especially all of the encouragement, advice, and folks offering up loaner amps, spare parts etc;. Kudo's to you all.
    .
    About a year ago I had found this site and joined anyway a short time later I was having a problem with my Polk 5 jr's + series 2. I posted a new thread (See thread below) about said problem and Freddy responded and patiently offered some advice as to what could be the problem. He even PM'ed me his phone # and told me to call him which I did. We messed around on the phone for awhile trying to figure it out. Anyway turns out it was nothing wrong with my speakers or CD player it turned out that the recording on the CD was the issue (semi old Freddie Hubbard recording). The reason I'm telling this story is this guy didn't know me from dirt and yet went out of his way to offer me to call him which I thought was and still is very cool. Thanks again and enjoy the music.

    5 Jr thread
    Monitor 7C's With Tubes
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2011
    I'm sure there is a way to repair it. I'm guessing the weight has come unglued. I've never seen a 3.1 TL PR in real life are you sure it's 100% sealed. There must be a way to remove the dust cap and re-glue it, assuming that's the problem.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    Well since we can't post videos in the Speaker section, here's a link - http://youtu.be/qnPFcEMnOl4

    Recorded/posted a video on youtube.

    You'll hear the 'clunking' in my mint-looking radiator. Guess I need a new one :rolleyes:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I'm sure there is a way to repair it. I'm guessing the weight has come unglued. I've never seen a 3.1 TL PR in real life are you sure it's 100% sealed. There must be a way to remove the dust cap and re-glue it, assuming that's the problem.

    H9

    It's sealed in the rear that's for sure but ok I'll take a flashlight to the dustcap to see if I can find the weight that's jiggling around. If I can see it, then I'll proceed with removing the dustcap.

    For those of you tuning in, I'll take/post pictures if I repair it. Might save someone's **** in the future.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    And upon further inspection;

    The tear doesn't penetrate all the way through, but I'm guessing that the weight inside was 'tossed' around enough and started to damage the cone as shown here -

    SNV13803.jpg

    SNV13804.jpg

    Here's the rear. Just showing you guys a small part of it, but it's sealed all the way around -

    SNV13808.jpg
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,467
    edited April 2011
    Should be repairable at this point, though I do not have any idea how you would go about doing so. I checked my stash, and it consists of a few 6510's and a 6501.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    Going through the dustcap might be the only way though I'd hate to do so since they look to be like in such great shape.

    SNV13809.jpg
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited April 2011
    Bummer...I don't see any adhesive on the back of the PR where a mass weight detached. Have you looked at the good one? If there is no weight, then something has broken off in the interior. It's beyond my limited expertise as to how to fix it.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    Bummer...I don't see any adhesive on the back of the PR where a mass weight detached. Have you looked at the good one? If there is no weight, then something has broken off in the interior. It's beyond my limited expertise as to how to fix it.

    I vaguely remember the 1C's passive, and this one is different from that of 1C's.

    I'll have to remove the dustcap (which I really don't want to do).

    If I put my hand gently against the dustcap and turn the passive upside down, I can feel the weight fall and move around against the dustcap freely.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


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  • WGDB
    WGDB Posts: 162
    edited April 2011
    Anyone comment on a pair of SDA 2B's for 300.00. here at San Antonio Craigslist

    http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ele/2286518731.html
    Pioneer Elite SC-35, Polk RTA (Real Time Array) 12's,
    Polk Monitor 40 surrounds, Polk CSiA4 Center,
    Polk PSW125, Sharp LC-46D62U,
    Panasonic DMP-BD85, Harmony One,
    iMac streaming an Apple TVII, or Squeezebox Touch
    Bedroom Rig~Sony STRDG-920, Polk Monitor 60 fronts, Polk RM6750 Satellites and Sub, Panasonic DMP-BD85
    Rabbit Hole Rig~Yamaha CA1010, Yamaha CT1010, Polk SDA 2A's, Teac A1500 R2R
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    Uhm...wow threadjack?
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • WGDB
    WGDB Posts: 162
    edited April 2011
    Sorry kawizxr - just don't know all the rules yet....
    Pioneer Elite SC-35, Polk RTA (Real Time Array) 12's,
    Polk Monitor 40 surrounds, Polk CSiA4 Center,
    Polk PSW125, Sharp LC-46D62U,
    Panasonic DMP-BD85, Harmony One,
    iMac streaming an Apple TVII, or Squeezebox Touch
    Bedroom Rig~Sony STRDG-920, Polk Monitor 60 fronts, Polk RM6750 Satellites and Sub, Panasonic DMP-BD85
    Rabbit Hole Rig~Yamaha CA1010, Yamaha CT1010, Polk SDA 2A's, Teac A1500 R2R
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WGDB
    WGDB Posts: 162
    edited April 2011
    ooops
    Pioneer Elite SC-35, Polk RTA (Real Time Array) 12's,
    Polk Monitor 40 surrounds, Polk CSiA4 Center,
    Polk PSW125, Sharp LC-46D62U,
    Panasonic DMP-BD85, Harmony One,
    iMac streaming an Apple TVII, or Squeezebox Touch
    Bedroom Rig~Sony STRDG-920, Polk Monitor 60 fronts, Polk RM6750 Satellites and Sub, Panasonic DMP-BD85
    Rabbit Hole Rig~Yamaha CA1010, Yamaha CT1010, Polk SDA 2A's, Teac A1500 R2R
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    No matter how much I heated or pulled around the edge of the dustcap (where the glue meets the cone) I couldn't get it off so I just went right through the dustcap.

    Sure enough, the weight was just tumbling around. Thinking I should just glue it back in place and order a close-to-factory matched dustcap.

    SNV13811.jpg
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
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