SDA 2 crossover woofer problem

bjarmson

Just installed my new RDO-194 tweeters, they sound great. Problem is my left channel SDA woofer (and maybe the right to a lesser degree, but much worse on left) sometimes makes a buzzing, crackling, hissing (call it what you will) during some music passages (only happens during certain music passages). The two regular woofers sound fine.

Disconnected SDA crossover cable and buzz disappears. Tried with two different SDA crossover cables (handmade one that came with speakers and new one just ordered from Polk), same results. Did the woofer push test and don't notice any scratchiness. All woofers screws tight. Amp/preamp played without problem on just replaced speakers.


So what is/where is my problem? Is it likely a woofer or a crossover problem or something else. Replaced SL-1000 tweeters had a 1984 manufacture date, so likely an early model SDA 2. Any and all help appreciated.

michaeljhsda2

Did the MW's make that sound before you installed the tweeters?

A couple of ideas...

1. Remove each MW in question and make sure that the crimp connectors are fitting snug on the positive and negative post of each driver. Sometimes the crimp connectors are loose, thereby creating the symptoms you describe (at least that what happened in my case with a pair of SDA 2's and 1.2 TL's). Solution: Disconnect the wire from the driver and take a pair of pliers and close the gap a bit. Don't get carried away because if you squeeze too hard the connector won't fit over the post (blade). If that happens, get a very small screwdriver and bend it back out.

2. Check the wires on the inside of the interconnect socket (you'll probably need to remove the passive radiator to gain access). However, if you're lucky the socket won't be hot glued in and you can just remove the 2 screws and pull it out of the cabinet from the outside. Odds are that it's hot glued in and it won't come out. Once removed, check to make sure the 2 wires are well soldered on (this is subjective I know...it's hard to see (for me) a colder solder joint but you could reflow the solder to make sure.

bjarmson

I had thought the tweeters were making the buzz, one of the reasons I upgraded, but obviously they weren't. Didn't seem as pronounced before I installed the tweeters. Maybe mucking about widening the tweeter holes loosened something. I'll pull all the woofers to check connections and pull the passive radiator to check the interconnect socket.

Thanks for the help, appreciated.

F1nut

Clean the contact area inside the IC socket. If it still has the issue, the socket is worn out. From the inside, after removing the hot glue, you can crimp them tighter and should be good to go. Remember to reapply the hot glue.