Tweeters may be only partially defective?

[GroeneLeeuw]

Is it possible tweeters may be only partially defective? Working but not working properly?

My 2 cats have been able to drop my tower speakers to the floor several times, both of them.
One of the speakers fell down 3 times (the other 1x).

My speakers are Focal Chorus 727, each are 25kg. At first I was even more worried for the cats then for the speakers itself, imagining a cat get a 25kg speaker on the head, it wouldn´t end well for the cat I suspect.

Now the issue: I hear very clear distortion on certain frequencies, I suspect mid-high frequencies and I suspect the tweeters are not working properly although visually all seems well and they do work (I hear sound if I approach my ear closeby).
Still trying to figure out if the distortion is indeed caused by the tweeters. So far found nothing else that may explain the issue.

Thank you in advance for the replies!

 

[James105]

Is it possible tweeters may be only partially defective? Working but not working properly?

My 2 cats have been able to drop my tower speakers to the floor several items, both of them.
One of the speakers fell down 3 times (the other 1x).

My speakers are Focal Chorus 727, each are 25kg each. At first I was even more worried for the cats then for the speakers itself, imagining a cat get a 25kg speaker on the head, it wouldn´t end well for the cat I suspect.

Now the issue: I hear very clear distortion on certain frequencies, I suspect mid-high frequencies and I suspect the tweeters are not working properly although visually all seems well and they do work (I hear sound if I approach my ear closeby).
Still trying to figure out if the distortion is indeed caused by the tweeters. So far found nothing else that may explain the issue.

Thank you in advance for the replies!

Well I know Bass drive units can, I have a pair that resonate hum below certain frequency's ( Castle Sevens sold as faulty that I paid £1.67 for) . You can find test tones on line, you tube for instance and play them to hear whats happening where.

 

[Gray]

Still trying to figure out if the distortion is indeed caused by the tweeters.

Less chance than from a mid/bass driver I'd guess

As always, it's a logical process of elimination.
Here's what I would do:
1) Get rid of cats.
2) Find music or test tone that best shows the distortion to use for tests.
3) Using balance control (or just disconnection), identify the faulty tower.
4) Then swap channels at amp output - to ensure it is definitely the speaker (and nothing before it) that's causing the distortion.

By then you should have only one tower that you know is faulty - go from there.
I think it's only single terminal (non bi-wireable), so you'd need to isolate drivers from inside the cabinet.
Maybe start by pulling out the terminal plate to see if the crossover is mounted to it.

If the cab has had a real whack (don't tell me it hit a hard floor) then you could have a slightly wonky magnet.
Push the cones evenly and gently to see if you can feel any scraping of the coils........

 

[Gray]

Castle Sevens sold as faulty that I paid £1.67 for

You should've haggled, you might have got them for £1.40

 

[James105]

You should've haggled, you might have got them for £1.40

someone else bid £1.50 so ebay auto bid me

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Less chance than from a mid/bass driver I'd guess

As always, it's a logical process of elimination.
Here's what I would do:
1) Get rid of cats.
2) Find music or test tone that best shows the distortion to use for tests.
3) Using balance control (or just disconnection), identify the faulty tower.
4) Then swap channels at amp output - to ensure it is definitely the speaker (and nothing before it) that's causing the distortion.

By then you should have only one tower that you know is faulty - go from there.
I think it's only single terminal (non bi-wireable), so you'd need to isolate drivers from inside the cabinet.
Maybe start by pulling out the terminal plate to see if the crossover is mounted to it.

If the cab has had a real whack (don't tell me it hit a hard floor) then you could have a slightly wonky magnet.
Push the cones evenly and gently to see if you can feel any scraping of the coils........

Thanks, much appreciated!

All great suggestions except getting rid of the cats, specially now they seem to be improving on their behaviour.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Confirmed the tweeter of the speaker which fell on the floor 3 times is damaged and is the cause of the distortion.
The speaker is listenable, the distortion is only apparent with certain pieces of music. Listen to busier rock/pop and I won´t hear/notice it.
But now I know the damage is there, it bothers me.
Need to decide what to do, have it repaired or use this as an excuse to replace/upgrade (yes! very tempting )
I´m thinking I should do both, repair and replace/upgrade. I can always sell after repair or just keep as spare or use as base for a 2nd set.

 

[Al ears]

Confirmed the tweeter of the speaker which fell on the floor 3 times is damaged and is the cause of the distortion.
The speaker is listenable, the distortion is only apparent with certain pieces of music. Listen to busier rock/pop and I won´t hear/notice it.
But now I know the damage is there, it bothers me.
Need to decide what to do, have it repaired or use this as an excuse to replace/upgrade (yes! very tempting )
I´m thinking I should do both, repair and replace/upgrade. I can always sell after repair or just keep as spare or use as base for a 2nd set.

Makes sense.
Is a replacement tweeter readily available?
If so should be an easy fix.
Would be difficult to sell in their current state.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Makes sense.
Is a replacement tweeter readily available?
If so should be an easy fix.
Would be difficult to sell in their current state.

I´ll get in touch with the shop where I bought the speakers, they still resell Focal. Hope they´ll be able to help or provide some guidance as to what I can do to get some service from Focal.

And look around what they have on offer, it has been a while since I´ve been shopping for hi-fi.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Repair of the speakers is kind of sorted, I know what to do to have them repaired. The shop where I bought them was very helpful.
Basically I need to bring the speakers to a repair center (been in touch with them already) that is close by (20 minute drive). Although I´m almost sure only 1 of the speakers is damaged, I´ll offer both for repair to be sure. Both speakers will be checked and measured, I´ll get a repair quote free of charge.

In the meanwhile my 1st priority was getting new speakers and after a very pleasant listening session and a very good offer & deal, I´ve became the owner of the Focal Vestia No4 in black.
Yep I´m a Focal fanboy, really like their house sound and the Vestia No4 is very impressive within what I wanted to spend.

Listened to Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary, gorgeous looking speakers and impressive sound as well but the price was a bit too high, no discount possible. 3k speakers is a bit too much.
In terms of looks the Triangle wins from the Focal but the price difference would be close to 1k euros.
The discounts on this Focal line are huge. Shame the same cannot be said for the Aria Evo X line, also gorgeous looks and sound impressive as well.
All and all I´m a happy chap with my new speakers.
Was able to listen to them combined with a very similar amplifier as mine (Denon PMA-1700ne, I have the 1600ne), which I think is a very good combo.

Focal Vestia No4 Floor-standing Speaker Review and Specs

Read our detailed analysis of the Focal Vestia No4 Floor-standing speaker, find out its strengths and weaknesses, and how it compares with the other speakers in its class.

speakerdecision.com

 

[Jasonovich]

Is it possible tweeters may be only partially defective? Working but not working properly?

My 2 cats have been able to drop my tower speakers to the floor several times, both of them.
One of the speakers fell down 3 times (the other 1x).

My speakers are Focal Chorus 727, each are 25kg. At first I was even more worried for the cats then for the speakers itself, imagining a cat get a 25kg speaker on the head, it wouldn´t end well for the cat I suspect.

Now the issue: I hear very clear distortion on certain frequencies, I suspect mid-high frequencies and I suspect the tweeters are not working properly although visually all seems well and they do work (I hear sound if I approach my ear closeby).
Still trying to figure out if the distortion is indeed caused by the tweeters. So far found nothing else that may explain the issue.

Thank you in advance for the replies!

You can always get the spare parts on eBay.
I would in the interim, unscrew the tweeter from it's socket and give it a good inspection. It's possibly the wiring had become loose or requiring minor repair?
Ah ignore the above .................just read your last post. Enjoy your new Focal Vestia No4 speakers

My two Maine C**ns are 11kg and 10kg, fortunately for me, they're sensible enough not to try it.



I love my Focal dual subwoofer too!

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

You can always get the spare parts on eBay.
I would in the interim, unscrew the tweeter from it's socket and give it a good inspection. It's possibly the wiring had become loose or requiring minor repair?
Ah ignore the above .................just read your last post. Enjoy your new Focal Vestia No4 speakers

My two Maine C**ns are 11kg and 10kg, fortunately for me, they're sensible enough not to try it.

View attachment 8443

I love my Focal dual subwoofer too!
View attachment 8444

Somehow and luckily for me the cats seem to have to have lost interest in my speakers, besides walking around them or hiding behind them when they chase each other around.
They were small when they drop the speakers down, now they´re just 1,5 years old and seem to have calmed down. Having their balls (both are males) removed a time ago did wonders

 

[Gray]

Having their balls (both are males) removed a time ago did wonders

Maybe I should've just taken Lucky's balls off rather than kill him 🤔

 

[Jasonovich]

Somehow and luckily for me the cats seem to have to have lost interest in my speakers, besides walking around them or hiding behind them when they chase each other around.
They were small when they drop the speakers down, now they´re just 1,5 years old and seem to calmed down. Having their balls (both are males) removed a time ago did wonders

The breeders we got the cats from, Cambridge and Nottinghamshire, as a condition of the sale, they had to be neutered.
They don't want competition. Flynn (ginger) is ball-less but he still tries