SDA SRS Tweeters
Comments
-
djf wrote:Well, with mine, it's usually both sides.. not at exactly the same time, but within a few seconds of each other. If I turn the volume down a bit, they come back after about 15 seconds.
So since it is both sides, I'm suspecting that the caps are getting old, or the tweeter protection circuitry is shutting them down. I can fix whatever it is, but I need to know what I'm fixing!
Yup, sounds like the poly switches. They are the thermal semi conductors that protect the tweeters. They are self resetting but tend to get a bit trip happy once they've been set off. Eventually at lower and lower volume levels. Polk will send you upgraded replacements more than likely for free. Call CS. -
I would by-pass those polyswitches. I know there there to protect your tweeters but they detract from the smooth flow of electrons to your crossovers.Carl
-
I am bi-amping them w/ a 100WPC Kenwood into the low end and an 80WPC into the high end.
I would not by-pass the polyswitches using that gear, especially since you mentioned high volume levels.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 -
Good point Jesse! Equipment and listening habit have to play into the decision to bypass.Carl
-
F1nut wrote:I would not by-pass the polyswitches using that gear, especially since you mentioned high volume levels.
The amp 'm using on the high end is a Kenwood KA-900 Audio Purist model I got in the early 80's. VERY nice piece of equipment. Actually, I just got done yesterday replacing a couple LED's in it.
When I say high volume, I usually mean in the 40-60% range.
I'm not gonna bypass just to play them louder. But something seemed odd that the high end is going out and I know darn well I'm nowhere near 1000WPC. -
When I say high volume, I usually mean in the 40-60% range.
Yep, you're in the clipping range. You definitely want to keep your polyswitches.But something seemed odd that the high end is going out and I know darn well I'm nowhere near 1000WPC.
It's far easier to damage your speakers from too little power than too much power.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 wrote:Yep, you're in the clipping range. You definitely want to keep your polyswitches.
It's far easier to damage your speakers from too little power than too much power.
I thought the mid to about 80% range is where most amps run optimally...???
Why is there all the discussion here about pre-amps? What am I missing? -
djf wrote:I thought the mid to about 80% range is where most amps run optimally...???
To run most systems at 50% is pushing it.
Keep using poly switches. They are your tweeter protection. Needed? No. But I seriously doubt anyone could tell the difference between them being in place or not in a blind listening test.
The 80w unit powering the tops is probably capable of good performance but it will run out of clean power sooner than you think if your goal is high listening levels. Like F1 said, you'll ruin drivers easier with too little power than with too much (read: adequate) power.
I'm not sure what to make of your comment on the subject of preamps. -
How does a switch know if your amp is clipping or if it's the signal?
I have a cd from the late 80's called "The Digital Domain", and one of the cuts is a 1000 hz square wave, I can play that at levels that would give your grandkids nightmares, it's physically painful.
If the problems w/tweeters are simply power related, that's why I can't understand the emphasis on pre-amps. But it would seem to me that even if I was driving them with 1000 wpc that most of the power curve is going to the midrange drivers. -
I called and spoke to Ken, he's gonna send me the new polyswitches. I also asked him if there was any general recommended maintenance, and he said I might want to pull all the drivers out and clean the contacts with a good electrical switch cleaner. Makes sense!
