Polk L800 help

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warlocks1
warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
edited December 2025 in Speakers
I posted before about the issues with my Polk L800. I bought these used and the previous owner broke off the binding post on the left speaker when bringing his hospice bed in. The family replace the binding post. I did. Rentable shooting today
I get sound out of all the tweeters and drivers when hooked up to amp and SDA cable plugged in. The problem was I would blow the fuse on any amp I tried when play loud. I wasn’t hearing a wide image and it was overly harsh.
I was planning on ordering a new binding post plate for the left speaker and maybe a new crossover
I just tried the following:
Unplugged the positive speaker cable on the right speaker and both tweeters and mid range work low bass out put
Plugged the positive back in and removed the negative cable and only outside tweeter and mid range work. No bass at all

Plugged both back in and went to the left speaker
Unplugged the negative speaker cable and outside tweeter and mid range worked. No bass Plugged back in and unplugged positive cable and no sound at all from the left speaker

What could cause this?
«1

Answers

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    I would start by inspecting the replacement/repair job the family did to the broken binding post. Sounds to me like they screwed it up.
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    Agree. I was going to call Polk and see if they can provide a wiring schematic
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Pull the right speaker binding post plate to compare the wiring with the left speaker...simple.
  • Unknown
    edited December 2025
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    This content has been removed.
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    I will take some pics. Everything works like it should without the SDA cable attached
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    Both are wired the same. I actually swapped the binding post plates and the same result. Took out the woofers and see the crossover plate. Everything looks connected.
    I called Polk. They were no help. Said they would escalate.
    I guess I’ll wait to hear back.
  • Unknown
    edited December 2025
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    This content has been removed.
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    Proceed HPA3
    B&K AVR 7270
    Emotiva Basx
    Paramount (can’t recall the model 5 channel

    Same issue with all
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
    edited December 2025
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    Are you sure you have dedicated right and left speakers as indicated on the binding post plate.
    g5cf453mj9p3.png



  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Post those pics of the wiring on the rear of the binding post plates.
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    I didn’t get any good pics. There’s nothing really to see The wires on both plates matched and were tight

    I need to understand how the SDA is supposed to work. Why am I getting the SDA effect going to both The SDA and regular tweeter and drivers on the right speaker? That’s what I need to determine.

  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,156
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    Not at all familiar with the L800 but some questions.

    When you did the tests was the SDA cable plugged in or not plugged in?

    Are any of your amps Bridged?

    Are any of your amps Balanced?

    Can you pull the woofer/woofers and take some pics inside?

    Was there any other work done inside of the L800's?

    Do your amps also blow the fuses without the SDA cable hooked up while cranking up the volume?

    Almost sounds like a short or mis-wired hookup somewhere in the L800 itself, internally?

    With the SDA cable unhooked and playing proper, if something was wired incorrectly from the repair it may play ok but could be out of phase?

    If you could get pics of the inside, via pulling the drivers, I'm sure someone here could tell right away if the wiring is correct.

  • This content has been removed.
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,156
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    Ok then... who's on first?
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    The binding plates say left and right. I have no reason ro believe that are t correct

    I don’t recall if I ever blew a fuse with the SDA cable off. I can put everything back together and they

    I have removed both woofers from the left speaker I can take pics of the crossover.
    I have only removed the binding post plate rom the right speaker
    Will get pics later

    Thanks for the help

    Merry Christmas
  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,905
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    Given the speakers are tripping fuses it sounds most likely there's a short or other damage inside one of the speakers. Would have taken a fairly hard hit to break off a binding post.
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    Agree.

    Polk Support has not been helpful

    Looking for someone with L800 to tell me what happens when you remove positive cable from the right speaker with the SDA cable plugged in. I don’t believe it should still play out both tweeters.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Since you do actually have a left and right speaker and the damage was a broken binding post it is logical that the problem/short is there. Pics would be a big help.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    Good call
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    Binding posts sleeves are in
    Place. I am going to order a new plate from Polk just to be sure.
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  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    I’m just going to order the left binding post plate from Polk
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,752
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    Where are you located
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
    edited December 2025
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    I’m in Delaware

    Just heard back from Polk. Seems they are now interested in helping me. They are talking to the engineers to see their opinion

  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
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    Polk is sending me the right speaker crossover? Surprised, but we will see
  • Unknown
    edited December 2025
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    This content has been removed.
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,156
    edited December 2025
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    Nice one John.

    Maybe a quick test to see if the Post is contacting the plate...
    Take a DVM and check between the Post's and the Plate?

  • warlocks1
    warlocks1 Posts: 1,284
    edited January 1
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    Update:
    I received the new crossover and binding post plate

    Installed both and no change.

    Installed the removed right channel crossover in the left speaker and no change

    Removed and test all tweeters, mid range and woofers. All appear to be working properly

    Same question:

    What should I hear on each speaker with the SDA cable plugged in and
    1 the positive cable from one speaker removed
    2 the negative cable removed from one speaker

    Why am I not hearing the same thing on both speakers when doing the above process

    Currently:

    Unplugged the positive speaker cable on the right speaker and both tweeters and mid range work
    Plugged the positive back in and removed the negative cable and only outside tweeter and mid range work. No bass at all

    Plugged both back in and went to the left speaker
    Unplugged the negative speaker cable and outside tweeter and mid range worked. No bass Plugged back in and unplugged positive cable and no sound at all from the left speaker

    Why not the same on both speakers

    Is it possible that’s the way they are designed

    Tested all the speakers
    All 4 woofers tested at 9.8 ohms
    All 4 mid range tested at 7 ohms
    All 4 tweeters test at 3.3 ohms

    I am so confused


  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,433
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    You would think one of the Engineers could answer this question.