Tweeter distortion... Help!

[admin_exported]

I purchased a pair of Q Acoustics 1050i about 3 months ago and have been happy with the sound quality in general. Recently I have realised that there is a faint clicking sound coming from the tweeters. This is like the sound you get from vinyl cracks and I know some tracks have this added to them but I can hear this from almost all tracks.

I can take them back to where I got them to have them checked but the shop is the other side of London and they weigh about 40kg for the pair.

Is there a test tone or something I can run to see if the tweeters are ok?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[gregory]

Take them back and get a new pair, unless you have an oscilloscope or a multimeter there is no way of checking if the speakers are working properly, trust your ears and your guarantee and ask for a new pair or your money back.

 

[Anonymous]

The problem is I think superfi will give me grief changing them!

I have had a nightmare with these things, the first pair I ordered 1 speaker had bad scratches the second pair 1 speakers front plastic was molded out of shape, so I had to keep one of each to make a complete pair. I read the reviews on these and bought them as they were rated pretty well and I liked the idea of a new company trying to give the consumer best value for money.

Then the other problem is that when I will take them there they will either blame my amp or say ''oh this sound is perfectly normal and we sell speakers worth thousands that do the same'' or ''I cant hear anything that sounds fine to me''. Its not there fault but rather the industry standard to try 110% not to help the consumer after the purchase is complete. Most retailers have a small charge sending kit back to the manufacturers so they all try hard to avoid this as well as the paperwork.

Wish I could be as blunt as yourself maybe then they would have to listen.

 

[Anonymous]

I've always had excellent customer service from Superfi, including when I've had to take an item back for repair. Unless something in your previous experiences suggests otherwise, I'd imagine they'll be happy to send the speaker back for repair.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't trust chains... Private dealers, where the owner works the store every day are the only way to fly. They may be slightly more expensive but in the end the customer service is tops.

 

[Anonymous]

The problem with superfi is that if something gets escalated head office refer it back to the store manager and will leave the final decision to his discretion. I could always turn up with the speakers and about 15 guys, that normally works

 

[gregory]

So this is more or less your 3rd pair of speakers but your statutory rights should not be affected, you have been sold a product that's not up to the job, not fit for the purpose described, get your money back and go elsewhere. I am suprised none of the WHF team have not remarked on this, they would be able to offer some support or know something of your rights. re sale of goods.

 

[Anonymous]

Gregory thanks for your help mate, The sound is like a small amount of static but its there every few seconds and I guess some point next week I will have to take them back. I dont think they will give me my money back but I dont want a repair as I know sending them back and forward is guaranteed to put some marks on them. Where is Steve Reichert of Q Acoustics? come on mate come to my aid!

 

[Messiah]

I had this problem but it was my CD player!

Do your speakers do this on all sources??

 

[ElectroMan]

Have you tried contacting Q Acoustics to ask their comments? And are you sure it's the speakers and not some other component?

 

[Anonymous]

I would say it's probably not the speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

Grimly Fiendish wrote the following post at 11-30-2008 9:25 PM:

I would say it's probably not the speakers.

what makes you say this? is there a cd or track which is designed to check the tweeter? I have tried it with different sources but its still the same. At first I though it was picking up the imperfections in the recording but I highly doubt so many recordings would have this problem.

 

[Anonymous]

Have you ruled out the amp? It sounds distinctly like an amplification problem to me.

 

[Anonymous]

Mohsin:Grimly Fiendish wrote the following post at 11-30-2008 9:25 PM:

I would say it's probably not the speakers.

what makes you say this? is there a cd or track which is designed to check the tweeter? I have tried it with different sources but its still the same. At first I though it was picking up the imperfections in the recording but I highly doubt so many recordings would have this problem.

Speakers can't click on their own, maybe try headphones and then another amplifier?

 

[Anonymous]

Have now tried with another amp and its still the same story. Not sure what you mean by speakers cant click on there own? I think it may be a problem with the crossover?

 

[Anonymous]

Mohsin:Have now tried with another amp and its still the same story. Not sure what you mean by speakers cant click on there own? I think it may be a problem with the crossover?

The amplifier has to produce a click for the speakers to make a click sound. Does it click with nothing playing?

 

[Anonymous]

appreciate your help with this. the speakers only make the sound when something is playing but its more of a slight static sound then clicking.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

I'm with Ray here - I have a Rotel RA820 that exhibits this when stuff around the house switches off and on.

I would see if you can get them to loan you another pair of speakers (no matter how small) and try them instead - I'll bet a fair amount that it's the amp making the noise...

 

[Messiah]

Does it do it with all sources???

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure about other sources but I did try to play the same cd's through my hd-dvd player and had the same results. Called Superfi earlier and the manager at Camden was happy to check them and if need be send them for repair (however if found faulty I would request a new pair).

 

[mattc76]

I know this might sound stupid but my speakers started making a clicking buzzing noise now and again until I noticed that although the speaker cable plugs were nice and tight in the bindings - the biwiring link connecting the hi's to the low's was loose and when tightened all buzzing stopped!

 

[Steve Reichert PR Manager ArmourHome]

Hi Mohsin

I've just picked up this thread. Firstly, thank you for purchasing your Q Acoustics 1050i speakers, we're very proud of them and believe they deliver extraordinary performance at their price.

Secondly, I'm sorry to hear you've got a problem with your system. If it turns out to be the speakers, we'll get them sorted out via Superfi no problem. However, like many of the other guys who've contributed to this thread, I think it's extremely unlikely the problem is in the speakers.

Why? Well, we've sold around 40,000 individual Q Acoustics speakers over the last 12 months, they all have the same tweeter and I'm pleased to report the number of problems we've had to sort out has been absolutely tiny. Therefore, the chance that you've got two completely independent tweeters exhibiting the same fault is frankly very small indeed.

Beyond that, as the other contributors have pointed out, "Ticking', 'clicking' or 'static' sort of sounds don't sound like normal tweeter problems, they point rather to either external interference (mains or airborn) or possibly a capacitor leaking in the amp.

You are right to get the speakers checked. Superfi are good guys and hopefully you can eliminate the speakers as the culprit. However, in the unlikely event it does turn out to be a speaker problem, please ask them to give me a call.

Best regards,

Steve Reichert, PR manager, Armour Home (Q Acoustics)

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve,

Firstly I would like to thank you for involving yourself in this issue, I have purchased a few Q acoustic products (1050i, 1010i, 1000ci, 1000s, wall brackets) and have been happy with all of them. I think the brand offers amazing value for money and reminds me of the early days of mission.

In all honesty I hope the speakers are not the problem as it would save a whole load of trouble. Part of the problem is that when you go to most retailers the staff is not so clued up and half the time they will only notice things when the customer points them out (im sure everyone has experienced such a time). This means the customer ends up loosing faith in the staffs opinion. Dont get me wrong I worked retail for years but now its all about sales and not really so much about customer service. I have been given so many words of wrong advice by retailers over the years that its difficult for me to truly believe them when they say ''no sir..... they all sound like this..... trust me"

Will try to take them there this week or next week at the latest and hopefully get something sorted out. Steve regardless of the outcome your a top man for trying to help.

 

[gregory]

And there's me saying get your money back and Steve from armour comes to the rescue, i am very impressed with this response i have been thinking of buying some speakers for my bedroom system and the q acoustics range are high on my list as i do like their sound and style, so well done Steve what a gentleman and good luck Moshin that must be a weight off your mind.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok just got home and read my emails. I have an email from Q Acoustics (not from steve reichert) and it is telling me to advice superfi if they can verify the fault q acoustics will carry out the repair for free! what would they normally expect for me to pay for it? This has really annoyed me, its like saying yes its faulty yes its our fault yes its an inconvenience to you but we will do you a favour and change the tweeters for free!

If push come to shove I will seek legal advice because if it is faulty then under the sale of goods act I want a brand new replacement. I dont think its right for a £300 pair of speakers to be faulty in 3 months of buying them. At this rate I may aswell stick to fleebay!