Tweeters blown ?

[JamesPart]

Ok I think the tweeters are blown on my 685's.

I've tryed replacing everything on my hi-fi, the speaker cables, the amp, cd unit, interconnects, except for the speakers as I have none spare, and neither does anyone I know right now.

So whats the best way of testing if my tweeters are blown, just using a frequency test track? is there any better ways?.

It seems to be both the speakers not just one, is it likely for both to blow at the same time, all I seem to get is lows and its horrible.

I guess I shouldn't of pushed it so much with the ra-04 ;/

Thanks in advance.

 

[chebby]

Listen for background hiss on FM radio with your ear close to the tweeter.

Having said that, it seems very likely - from what you said - that you have blown them.

 

[JamesPart]

I don't have a tuner -.-

 

[chebby]

I am suprised the Rotel does not have some sort of protection circuit.

Interesting call to your dealer coming up

 

[JamesPart]

Well it does cut out when things get too hot, even if I wanted to replace the drivers myself it doesn't seem possible on the B&Ws?

This is really annoying just ordered a new amp this week too.

 

[Big Chris]

How'd it happen?

 

[Anonymous]

It could be electronics in speaker opposed to tweeters - i.e. the crossovers.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Take out the single-wiring jumpers on the rear of the speakers, connect the speaker cables to the upper (HF) terminals, and gently increase the volume from zero. If the tweeters are still working you should be able to hear them doing so.

 

[chebby]

Big Chris:How'd it happen?

I think the clues are there.

"I guess I shouldn't of pushed it so much with the ra-04 ;/"

and...

"Well it does cut out when things get too hot"

The Rotel is a 40w pch amplifer so it is very likely that excessive clipping was occurring at levels that cause it to cut out.

I don't think the speakers are the problem (they are rated up to 100w @ 8ohms) but they needed a more powerful amp that can achieve the same volume cleanly.

 

[JamesPart]

Andrew Everard:Take out the single-wiring jumpers on the rear of the speakers, connect the speaker cables to the upper (HF) terminals, and gently increase the volume from zero. If the tweeters are still working you should be able to hear them doing so.

Did as you said Andrew, removed the plates, connected the speaker cable to the upper terminals, raised the volume slowly to about 11-o-clock and there is absoloutly no sound what-so-ever. Nothing on both speakers.

So is it very likely that its just the tweeters or is it possible there is damage to the crossover and others things too, is it normal for both drivers to go at the same time?

Thanks for everyones help.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Most likely the tweeters themselves, but could be crossover components instead, or too. Short of stripping the speakers down, bit hard to tell - but yes, if you were running them hard enough to fry the tweeters, likely both would have gone.

 

[JamesPart]

Guess I'll be contacting my local dealer then if they are able to repair, although I've heared its quite easy to replace the tweeter yourself.

Remove seal around woofer, unscrew, remove tweeter bolt, slide out, replace.

Although I wouldn't know where to begin with the crossover if I've caused damage to that too, sigh, oh well, thanks for the help.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Getting a service person to give them the once-over is really the only; I'd hate you to go to all the trouble of replacing the drivers only to discover it's crossover damage.

 

[Big Chris]

chebby:

Big Chris:How'd it happen?

I think the clues are there.

"I guess I shouldn't of pushed it so much with the ra-04 ;/"

and...

"Well it does cut out when things get too hot"

The Rotel is a 40w pch amplifer so it is very likely that excessive clipping was occurring at levels that cause it to cut out.

I don't think the speakers are the problem (they are rated up to 100w @ 8ohms) but they needed a more powerful amp that can achieve the same volume cleanly.

I really must learn to read posts in their entirety before responding to them,

 

[Tonestar1]

Tweeters are a piece of cake to replace. Been there after my young nephew decided to prod the hell out of them because they were shiny. I have some earlier posts on how to do it. I'll take a look.

 

[robjcooper]

Cheap suggestion to see if the crossovers are still working.

Go to Maplin and buy one of these replacement tweeters for £3.49 :

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=44692

Remove the 'blown' tweeter from one of the speakers and wire the above in its place (don't solder it, just make a reasonable wrapped join). Try Andrew's test again. If you get sound then your crossover is ok. Repeat on the other speaker.

If you're feeling generous you could keep the tweeter as a souvenir or you could just return it to Maplin and say it doesn't fit !

Fingers crossed your crossovers aren't fried !

Rob

 

[Tonestar1]

See this thread.

http://community.whathifi.com/forums/2/356052/ShowThread.aspx

Can I made add if you are in anyway nervous or not very practical consider taking to an authorised dealer to do the work for you. I don't want to be responsible for anyone destroying their speakers.

Hope this helps

 

[JamesPart]

robjcooper:
Cheap suggestion to see if the crossovers are still working.

Go to Maplin and buy one of these replacement tweeters for £3.49 :

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=44692

Remove the 'blown' tweeter from one of the speakers and wire the above in its place (don't solder it, just make a reasonable wrapped join). Try Andrew's test again. If you get sound then your crossover is ok. Repeat on the other speaker.

If you're feeling generous you could keep the tweeter as a souvenir or you could just return it to Maplin and say it doesn't fit !

Fingers crossed your crossovers aren't fried !

Rob

Nice idea!!

Luckily I have 2 spare woofers and tweeters from a speaker build I was making awhile back, one of ZaphAudios.
I'll try one of them out tomorrow!

Thanks.

 

[JamesPart]

Tonestar1:
See this thread.

http://community.whathifi.com/forums/2/356052/ShowThread.aspx

Can I made add if you are in anyway nervous or not very practical consider taking to an authorised dealer to do the work for you. I don't want to be responsible for anyone destroying their speakers.

Hope this helps

Haha Tonestar, the only reason I know how to take the speakers apart was because I read your post like a day before you just posted that, found your post on a google search. I didn't even know you could take the speaker apart until I saw your post, didn't know the screws were hidden below the rubber ring around the woofer

 

[JamesPart]

Ok well I decided to unscrew the woofer and carefully take it out, and straight away I find something just laying on the foam inside, heres a picture:



I'm assuming this is the back part of the tweeter?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yup, that's the Nautilus tube. Them tweeters is well blown...

 

[JamesPart]

Tonestar1:

3. Put your hand up inside the cavity to the back of the tweeter and
loosen large nut that holds the tweeter in place. Remove this, try not
to drop it in the cavity

I was trying to look for this nut that you talk of for ages Tonestar1, then I realised the 'large nut' is the Nautilus tube itself, thats the only thing holding the tweeter in place it seems.

While the tweeter was out I tryed a 'Seas 27TBFCG' on the 685's and did what Andrew said again, removed the plates and connected the cables to the top terminals, seems like the crossovers are working fine!

 

[Anonymous]

take off the plates that connect the two sets of terminals the only plug the amp into the top set. this will only drive the tweeter. don't blast it coz u will blow the speaker but then u should be able to tell

 

[Andrew Everard]

moozer:take off the plates that connect the two sets of terminals the only plug the amp into the top set. this will only drive the tweeter. don't blast it coz u will blow the speaker but then u should be able to tell

Now why didn't I think of that...?

 

[JamesPart]

It's setting me back £88 for 2 tweeters including delivery and VAT, not too bad, I'll be more carefull from now on though, although I have just upgraded amplifier so should be a little safer anyway.