RTI7 Speaker

pipedoctor
pipedoctor Posts: 9
edited May 2011 in Troubleshooting
Hi,
I have just updated my system. I used RTIA9 speakers up front, and moved the RTI7's to the surround position. While doing the automatic speaker setup with an Onkyo 609 receiver, it keeps telling me that there is something wrong with the RTI7 speaker. It does not tell me what is wrong. But the sound coming from the speaker seems kind of muted. Not at all like the other one. I double checked the polarity, changed out the wire, made sure the connections were all good. I then used some small polk book shelf speakers, in place of the RTI7's, and it worked fine.

I took the speaker apart, looking for something obvious. Everything looked fine. No loose wires, nothing burnt on the crossover. So, I have no idea what to look for now. Any ideas would be most helpful.

Thanks
Wayne
Post edited by pipedoctor on
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Comments

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    Take the speaker in question to a speaker location that is verified not to have an issue and hook it up. Does the problem still exist?

    Oh, my manners. Welcome to the forum.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    good to be here!! Except for having this problem, LOL

    I did switch the two speakers, and the error still showed up, just on the right side, instead of the left side. So, I guess this eliminates a wire problem?

    How does one go about testing a crossover? I was thinking about switching them from one speaker to the other. Would this actually prove anything?

    Wayne
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    Please take the time to clarify this for me. When you moved the speaker that has the known issue to a different location, that same exact speaker had the issue still?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2011
    Jumpers?
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    ^^^ Good call.^^^
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    Yes, When I moved the speaker, the same exact error was reported.

    Are you referring to the binding post jumpers? They are installed, and not touching each other.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    Yes, he was. Make sure that the jumpers are seated correctly and making metal to metal contact. Then hook the entire system back up. If the issue still exists, take your ear as close as you can to each driver and then the tweeter and let us know if adequate sound is coming from all of them. If you are unsure, refer to the other speaker that is working.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    Will do.
    Thanks
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    Well, I just got done. I put on the Pink Floyd Pulse DVD. I would say the bad speaker was putting out 25% less sound than the other speaker. The drivers seemed to be about equal, but the mid and tweeter sounded mushy, not crisp and sharp at all. Kind of like a speaker sounds when you short the connections out.
    Wayne
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    Do you have time to swap the tweeters out of both speakers to help isolate things?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    Sure!! I'm an old retired guy. Although everyday is a blessing, I have time. Don't get excited about much anymore.
    Wayne
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    OK!! by switching the tweeters, it moved the error to the other speaker. Indicating that the tweeter is bad. Of all the problems it could have been, the tweeter is the least expensive to replace. Does it make sense to change both of them?

    Where do I get a new one? I don't find anything on the Polk web site about replacement parts.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    OK, thanks for taking the time to do that. That lets us know that the crossover is not the issue. That said, you had mentioned that the mid driver had also sounded muddy. Just to make certain, go ahead and do the same exact thing with the mid driver. If there is no change, then you have now isolated the issue to the known bad tweeter.

    On to your next question....the best thing you can do is to call Polk during normal EST business hours. Don't e-mail them, call. Polk customer service will be able to answer the rest of the information you wish to know about.

    Thanks for your time in the diagnosis and it was a pleasure talking to you. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    Oh, If it were me? I would replace both of the tweeters for many reasons. I apologize, I forgot to answer that.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited April 2011
    I thought so!! Kind of like replacing both your head lights when one goes out!!!
    I'll do the same with the mid driver. I guess I did not realize how much the tweeter actually added to the overall performance/sound of the speaker.

    Thank You very much for your time and knowledge.

    I will call Polk on Monday.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited April 2011
    You are very welcome. Enjoy the weekend.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • pipedoctor
    pipedoctor Posts: 9
    edited May 2011
    Just got off the phone with Polk customer service. Tweeters will be here Friday. they are coming from California.

    I did find out that my speakers are not RTI7's, they are actually RTI10's. I had bought them used, and the fella removed the sticker from the back of the cabinets. the guy from Polk knew what they were though. Good company to deal with.

    Wayne
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited May 2011
    Stick around, you'll find the community and the customer service top notch. Always, they have taken care of us.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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