When a good speaker goes bad!

Audioinfidel
Audioinfidel Posts: 5
edited October 2007 in Vintage Speakers
I have recently acquired a pair of monitor 4.5's and am using one as my center channel with my 5b's.

Today I ran a test tone of 100hz and got a distorted sound after turning the volume up just past audible. Static is present at every frequency i tried from low to high when I reach a moderate sound level. I did a lot of **** and unscrewing and realized I'm getting a static sound from the mid bass driver and the tweeter. Why is the tweeter making static at 100hz?

I really haven't been listening to this speaker very loud, and the other one in the pair doesn't demonstrate this problem. Is it possible I blew the driver and tweeter, or could something be wrong with the crossover?

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks.
Post edited by Audioinfidel on
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  • ka7niq
    ka7niq Posts: 577
    edited October 2007
    Audioinfidel wrote: »
    I have recently acquired a pair of monitor 4.5's and am using one as my center channel with my 5b's.

    Today I ran a test tone of 100hz and got a distorted sound after turning the volume up just past audible. Static is present at every frequency i tried from low to high when I reach a moderate sound level. I did a lot of **** and unscrewing and realized I'm getting a static sound from the mid bass driver and the tweeter. Why is the tweeter making static at 100hz?

    I really haven't been listening to this speaker very loud, and the other one in the pair doesn't demonstrate this problem. Is it possible I blew the driver and tweeter, or could something be wrong with the crossover?

    Any ideas anyone?

    Thanks.
    A test tone even at 100 hx could have enough energy to cause the tweter to show it is blown, or it may be a crossover problem ?

    TRY the drivers in the other speaker, see if they do the same in a working crossover ?

    I have to go, but I am sure the more knowledgeable Polk guys will help you more.

    Ciao
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,505
    edited October 2007
    100hz?, its a long shot, but tighten the screws around the tweeter, might be a vibration that shows at that frequency
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Wiim Ultra. Jolida CD player. Fiio k11 R2R DAC, XTZ as300 Edge amp. Focal Cobalt 826 towers,

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Classe Audio 5 Preamp, DIY1200as2 Icepower Amp x 2, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E70 Velvet DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Polk LSi15's with MM840 woofer upgrade.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Schitt Saga 2 preamp, Topping a90 headphone amp, Mac Mini, Audiophonics Hypex NC252m amp, Polk r200's
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  • Audioinfidel
    Audioinfidel Posts: 5
    edited October 2007
    I found that if I turned the voume up from 0 very slowly I could get the speaker to spit out around 80 db before the static noise/vibration started. However, the distortion stayed, regardless of how low I turned the volume until the voume went back to 0. Then I could turn it up again slowly without the noise.

    That makes it seem like the drivers are physically fine and its some kind of wiring/transistor problem? Anyone had a similar problem before?
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited October 2007
    audio infidel...wwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    great name infidel !!

    welcome to the forum




    no I never had that problem.........ever





    Don`t know what it could be either....






    don`t use that speaker
    Problem solv--ed




    does it only do it on that one freq ?
    or all test tones?
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited October 2007
    Try another speaker in place of that one with your Reciever/amp. I think your problem lies there.

    If it works fine with the new speaker I would say crossover. When you said the sound doesn't go away until you lower the amp makes me think Amp problem.
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  • Audioinfidel
    Audioinfidel Posts: 5
    edited October 2007
    After the problem disappeared but then started showing up on the other speaker on the other channel :eek: , I have determined its the amp. Its 17 years old and maybe it dirty or on its last legs. It is only an 8 ohm amp and these are 6 ohm speakers, so even though I'm not cranking it too high, it just can't always handle it.

    Thanks to everyone who commented. :rolleyes:
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited October 2007
    I was right! :D

    Sorry to hear the amp is wacked out.:mad:
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