tweeter and interconnect cable terminal issue.

Hello, I have a questions regarding the tweeters in my Polk Audio SDA 1A's. On the right speaker, whenever I really push it with volume I notice that the tweeters become very muffled until I turn the volume down, then they resume normal function. This has been going on for quite some time. Any idea of what it could be? Some folks think it could be the capacitor(s) or the crossover.

The other day I noticed that the plastic around the interconnect terminal on the LEFT speaker broke. I was able to rig the cable back in but its a VERY temporary fix. Any idea on where I can get a replacement terminal?

Sorry if these seem like very elementary questions, but I consider myself a novice, still learning.

thanks

Best Answers

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    Answer ✓
    Your tweeters are protected by a polyswitch located on the crossover board. It's a resettable thermal device. You've tripped it too many times and it's become hypersensitive. Are you handy with electronics?

    Binding posts are available online from numerous sources.
    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

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    Answer ✓
    In the future, if you trip the poly device just once that means you're pushing your amp/power source into clipping, not good. Either keep the volume level lower or buy a more powerful amp/power source.
    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

  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,556
    Answer ✓
    You will need to get all new binding post. NO parts express DOES NOT carry those exact post.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    Answer ✓
    You won't find the exact same ones, they're over 30 years old.

    https://www.parts-express.com/cat/binding-posts/1506
    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

Answers

  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    Thank you for your response! As for your question, Yes and no LOL! I can do a few things, solder, etc.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    Ok, order four of these, there's 2 per speaker. https://www.parts-express.com/te-connectivity-raychem-rxef050-050a-polyswitch-speaker-protector--071-254

    You can order binding posts from them as well.
    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

  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    ok! thanks sooo much!!! I really appreciate it!!!!!
  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    Just one other question, as I mentioned the interconnect terminal in the left speaker broke, the plastic cracked and it just fell apart. I was able to rig the cable in there and it is connected but its a real generic fix and it wont last long. Can anyone tell me if that type of terminal can be purchased? thanks.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,556
    Yes new binding post from parts express as well.
  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    I just checked Parts Express for these binding posts, I did not find them. I emailed them to see if they even carry them. Is this cable wired just to create a circuit or is it wired like any other speaker terminal with a + and -? If necessary can I modify it with standard banana posts RCA or 1/4 jack? Thanks

  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I am more than willing to replace these posts with upgraded, modern ones. My question is this, Does anyone know if these posts are wired in polarity like speakers (-,+) or are they simply wired to create a circuit? thanks.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    edited May 2020
    One post is + and the other is -.
    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

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    Kinda scary you had to ask that one, so let me add. Always turn off and unplug your gear when connecting/disconnecting interconnects and speaker cables.
    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

  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    Thank you, I knew that for sure. I just didn't know what to do with that interconnect cable, its more of a pain than anything.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    Wait a minute....are you asking about the SDA cable?
    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

  • Lank
    Lank Posts: 10
    I didn't realize that's what it was called until the other day, on the back of the speakers is referred to as an interconnect cable.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    edited May 2020
    Ok, yours should be the blade/blade version. The schematics are posted in the Vintage Speaker section.
    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