Psw 300

placek00
placek00 Posts: 6
edited May 2008 in Troubleshooting
I was given a used psw 300. When played at less than half volume there is a noticible buzz coming from the cabinet. I removed the driver and there was no obvious damage. No cracks in the paper cone and the poly surround looked OK. Didn't see and debris inside the cabinet either. All the connections seem tight. Could something else be causing the buzz or should I just replace the driver? Any advise is much appreciated.
Post edited by placek00 on
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited March 2008
    Does the buzz occur if you play the driver outside of the cabinet? If not, maybe there is a structural problem with the cabinet causing the buzzing?
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • jbay48150
    jbay48150 Posts: 5
    edited March 2008
    If you follow this advice please keep the volume very low while running these tests.

    The hunt for the buzzing noise may be asier if you use test tones. Get them from some place like:

    http://www.realmofexcursion.com/downloads.htm

    You first run the 20 to 60HZ sine sweep to see if the noise occurs. If not go to the 20 to 120 HZ sine sweep. Once the buzz is found use the specific sine wave to light up the problem. With the noise constant it is usually much easier to find.
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  • placek00
    placek00 Posts: 6
    edited March 2008
    Thanks for the advise. I'll try both ideas.
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  • placek00
    placek00 Posts: 6
    edited March 2008
    I removed the speaker from the cabinet and reconnected it to the amp. Tested it with some vintage Dire Straits and there was a noticible buzz coming from the paper cone. Looks like the easiest and most economical thing to do is relpace the driver.
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited March 2008
    Contact Polk Customer Service. Tell them you're a member of club polk. Last time I checked for my PSW300, the replacement driver was less than $70 including 2nd day shipping.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited March 2008
    One other thing you can do if you are into DIY stuff is that some places sell replacement surrounds for drivers that you can replace yourself for around $20. A friend of mine bought some on Ebay for his Infinity speakers.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • placek00
    placek00 Posts: 6
    edited March 2008
    I think I'm going to go with a new driver from Polk. It's a reasonable price and with a new driver I won't have any worries. Thanks again for everyone's help.
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited April 2008
    Did you get your replacement driver yet?
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • placek00
    placek00 Posts: 6
    edited April 2008
    I ordered it on 3/31/2008. Ken said it would take about 4 weeks.
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  • placek00
    placek00 Posts: 6
    edited May 2008
    The speaker arrived last week. I installed it on Friday. Installation was no problem. It slipped right in. The replacement is for a PSW 202. It sounds fine. The magnet is much lighter than the PSW 300's. Maybe 5 pounds. This replacement speaker is not as efficient. You can crank the volume control well past halfway and it doesn't boom. The PSW 300 was loud at one quarter volume. All in all I'm satisfied so far. One other thing. The replacement speaker has only four mounting holes. The original had six. I just drilled new holes in the cabinet. Four mounting points should be plenty dur to the reduced weight if the driver.
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