Recapped my SRS 2. Help me troubleshoot loss of SDA effect in right channel.

Rex81

I finally decided to try my hand at recapping my SRS 2. I’ve done a few simpler recap jobs in the past and I’m ok with a soldering iron.

So last night I cracked open a beer and started. 3 hours and 4 beers later, I finished. Plugged everything in, eager to enjoy my work, and I got sound. That’s good. The bad: no SDA effect from the right speaker. Full SDA from the left. Whoops. Maybe I should've done the job sober.

From what I know, it seems like no SDA effect from the right speaker means that the left speaker isn’t sending the out of phase signal from the dimensional drivers. Is that correct? That would at least allow me to focus on one speaker over the other. But as far as I can tell, I’m getting sound from all the drivers. Oh, and I already checked that each of the drivers is hooked up in phase. And I tried swapping leads at the speaker terminals to see if something got wired out of phase there. Still no SDA from the right.

Any help would be appreciated. And kids, solder and beer don’t mix. Just say no.

george daniel

Assuming that your recap work is correct,,have you checked to make sure that you have the wiring from the drivers connected correctly at the crossover?

soulsurfer

You're getting sound out of ALL drivers? Make sure you aren't getting sympathetic vibes from each other, especially at higher volumes...you may have to take the dimensional driver(s) out and listen to them out of the box to be sure.

But I would first disconnect the interconnect cable and carefully listen for changes.

Short of walking thru' you work again step-by-step, that's all I have.

xschop

Double check the quick connections at X-overs.

[Deleted User]

Could you have the stereo and SDA connection reversed ?

Rex81

Good suggestions. I think first step when I get home is to pull the dimensional drivers out of the cab and listen to make sure they are indeed running. It's tough to tell and as sousurfer said, they could be getting sympathetic vibes.

I've already double checked the connections. Maybe I'll take a picture of the other crossover and compare them just to make sure all the wires are heading to the same place.

I'm sure it's something little that I goofed up while under the influence.

xschop

No fret, I usually have a more steady soldering hand as beers vanish.

[Deleted User]

I'm sure it's something simple. Which generation are yours ?

Rex81

xschop wrote: »

No fret, I usually have a more steady soldering hand as beers vanish.

I remember starting the job, then I remember standing up, looking at the clock and thinking to myself "Wow, those 3 hours just flew by! That wasn't so bad." Funny, I don't remember much in between.

TForan wrote: »

I'm sure it's something simple. Which generation are yours ?

1986 blade/blade.

JPete

The quick connectors on the wires from the blade/blade socket to SDA board were a bit finicky(loose) on my CRSs. Possible one slipped off during reassembly?

TennMan

Start with the simple things. Do a battery test and see if all the drivers are in phase. If the SRS 2 is like the 2Bs the drivers should all move the same direction when 1.5 volts is applied to the terminals on the back. I always disconnect the IC when I do the test.

westmassguy

The 86' SRS-2s are 3rd generation. The dimensional woofers will still produce bass frequencies below 150 Hz via the sub-bass drive circuit. Each conductor in the Interconnect Cable carries the full signal from the opposite speaker. There is a break or something is not connected correctly. The two wires from the upper half of the crossover must be connected in phase, to the correct spades on the lower half. The two wires from the interconnect go to the upper half, and one must be reversed.

Rex81

Thanks westmassguy, this helps. Good to know that dimensional woofers will still produce bass frequencies. I'll be sure to check connections tonight and report back.

[Deleted User]

As David suggested, I'd check to make sure the two wires from the interconnect are reversed from each other.

pitdogg2

And this kiddies is why we don't work on SDA's with no before pictures and the beer is for when you get done and finished AFTER you make sure all is buttoned up good and well.

face meet palm:)

Rex81

Haha, I actually did take before pictures. But a project without beer? I don't think I can be taught to work like that.

pitdogg2

Rex81 wrote: »

Haha, I actually did take before pictures. But a project without beer? I don't think I can be taught to work like that.

your answer should be in the pictures if you took pictures of the wiring off XO to the drivers.

Rex81

Solved it.

I got home, compared the before pictures with the after, compared the working crossover to the dysfunctional, everything looked good. Then I used a little trick all the master electricians use: I put on some music and started wiggling all the wires around.

I put the massive sub-bass caps on a separate board mounted on the base of the speaker with jumpers running to them. When I wiggled that connection I got some scratching noise, then the dimensional woofers got louder. Pulled my hand away and they got softer. The joint looked good, but it obviously wasn't. Refilled it, and I'm back in business.

Thanks for all the suggestions. They helped me narrow my search. However, sometimes it's just shoddy craftsmanship.

txcoastal1

Sometimes you just have to step away

happy listening

honestaquarian

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Sometimes you just have to step away

happy listening

That AND leave the beer until AFTER you're done like @pitdogg2 said!

[Deleted User]

Well, that was easy ! How do they sound ?

Rex81

TForan wrote: »

Well, that was easy ! How do they sound ?

They sound great! I'm admittedly a bit of a recapping skeptic. I've recapped speakers 15 years older than these and didn't hear much improvement, so I've been reluctant to spend the time and money on doing these. But I gotta say, even without burn-in, the change is fairly dramatic. I'm not going to say "night and day" (I hate when audiophiles overstate differences), but it's definitely a solid upgrade in overall clarity.

I became quite fond of the relaxed highs of the old crossovers and was afraid they might be too bright after the recap. They're definitely brighter, but not harsh. I'm happy. And looking forward to hearing them progress with burn-in.

After about 100 hours I plan to do an exhaustive comparison between my KEF LS50. Obviously completely different speakers, but I bought the KEFs to get that last level of detail that I wasn't getting with the SRS 2. After the recap, I think it might be there, along with all the other benefits.

Didn't you just recap your SRS 2s? How do yours sound?

[Deleted User]

I had David (westmassguy) do the heavy lifting and have about 100 hours on them. They have a solid improvement , thats for sure. I also did the rings,magnet adhesive, dynamat, tweeters and sound absorption foam. The Yamaha seems fine with the sub 4 ohm load contrary from some opinions. They really do have a unique sound. Sorta opposite of in your face. Here they are with all the other old stuff except the Parasound P5.

RandyCroissant

Very nice!! clean and simple.

codycatalist

honestaquarian wrote: »

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Sometimes you just have to step away

happy listening

That AND leave the beer until AFTER you're done like @pitdogg2 said!

Is there an agree to disagree button?

soulsurfer

good to hear you gotter fixed and with minimal difficulty - who0p!

lightman1

honestaquarian wrote: »

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Sometimes you just have to step away

happy listening

That AND leave the beer until AFTER you're done like @pitdogg2 said!

I'm getting ready to go to work right now. If your grid shuts down in the mid-west....I apologise in advance.

george daniel

Waaaaaaaaaaa