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September 14, 2010 - 5:56am
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Speaker Crossover
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It's not unusual that with 2nd order crossovers either the tweeter or the woofer is connected out of phase with the other driver. It sounds like your woofers play out of phase with your sub. Try switching the wires (red to black and vice versa) on both speakers that makes the sub lower. That should take care of the problem. But of course only on the speakers that do this... That'll make the tweeter move inwards and the woofer outwards, in correct phase with your sub.
Now I never thought of that ! Silly me ! Thanks for the kick in the head Rubber Duck ! Perhaps one of the caps in the crossover has gone bad...just another thought.
No, that would most likely sound different, since only one of the speakers would be faulty. Crunchy sound I guess.
Hmmmm..... I have blown a least 3 tweeters in them (PSB Alpha A/V) since I bought new. Perhaps something has always been out of spec ? They did the same thing to my other sub now that I think of it.
If you are blowing tweeters look into increasing your amplifier power. The primary reason tweeters blow is usually because of insufficient amplifier power.
Doesn't sound like the case here. Why has he only blown tweeters in that specific speaker, and not in others? Could it be a faulty crossover? Otherwise you are correct. Most tweeters are blown due to too weak amps.
Did you blow the tweeters on the same side speaker, or on different sides? Interesting case...
I really don't know if the same speaker kept blowing the tweeter. As for power I have always had more than enough power. I don't think I have ever gone anywhere near clipping in any of my amps. I do wish my amps had subwoofer out jack.
For the sub, a PRE OUT and a Y-cable may do just as well. I use that on mine.
Have you played very loud?
played which loud ? As for the sub... Yes as for my other speakers yes. When I do play them loud I play loud but very well below distortion. For example my amp is rated for 105 watts rms continuous with very low distortion. Loud to me would be the watt meters swinging to about 100 watts very briefly and rarely. Although I have seen them peak at close to 200 when I have been into the brandy and monte cristo #4's. Lol. I am quite good to my equipment.
As I don't know your PSB Alpha A/V speakers, I have no other idea why you have blown tweeters, except for my earlier suggestions. Perhaps anyone here knows if they're kind of fragile?
When you run an amp to the point of clipping you rarely if ever hear the clipping only the result.
What amplifier are you using?
Main amp I use is a yamaha cr-2020 for music and a Technics su-v76 for movies. I am being honest when I say I don't abuse my equipment.
Chill! No one is suggesting you abuse anything.
Have you noticed whether it's movies or music playing when the tweeters blow?
How do you switch amps when going from music to movies and back?
Most of the time I just leave the technics hooked to the TV/Cable box/DvD player as The old yamaha has way too many knobs,switches and settings for my wife too bugger up. Yamaha is set up with my Oppo, casette deck and turn table if I ever get it back. I have blown tweeters with both amps.
Tweeters were always blown while listening to cds. I just swap speakers between amps depending on the mood.
Do you have a measurement of the average SPL you're using when the tweeters blow? This might be a good time to get a Rat Shack SPL meter. They're about $50 and well worth the price.
CD's have more HF content than vinyl. Do you have the treble boosted?
No I don't have an SPL Meter, although I was eyeing them up a while ago. We don't have radio shacks in canada anymore,they become a store called "The Source" but i will search their website for one. I don't often boost the treble...If i do it's about a 1/4 extra adjustment for lower level listening.
Sounds to me that the tweeters in question are just kind of weak, and cannot stand the treatment one would imagine they could.
The fellow that worked for psb told me they were just unmodified Vifa tweeters. They tweeters in question are only ones I have ever blown. They are just 3/4 inch mylar tweeters. They sound nice, they are smooth sounding but not lively enough for me.