2. tech-talk
  3. 1064756218

Help I think I blew a tweeter.

A couple of days ago I noticed the solo folk singer was coming out of the left speaker instead of the TV. After turning off the "Pure Direct," I put all the signal to one speaker and then the next. Sure enough the right speaker sounded all muddled with no treble. I've been experimenting with bi-wiring, so I disconected everything and reconnected. I opened up the speaker to see if any wires were hanging, there were none. I also switched speakers. The same speaker stayed muddled. I'm afraid I've blown a tweeter. I've never had the amp (80 wpc) up even to a third of the volume. The B&W 601's should have handled that OK. However, I do have a 17 yr. old son who uses the stereo before I get home in the afternoon. He's a drummer in a rock band.

Can you tell from my description what is wrong? If it's a blown tweeter, is that something that can be fixed, and would it be cost effective? Fortunately, I bought this first system on the cheap so I could experiment. I can afford a lot better if I have to. What do you think?
baileyje
subaruguru
1,374 posts
 
Sean, you really think B&W is going to give him a matched pair? Unless they STRONGLY allude to this possibility I'd just replace the one tweeter. Its surround will break-in eventually to match the opposite side. Sensitivity matching is more about # turns in the coil and gapping, no?
sean
6,231 posts
 
Ernie: No, i sincerly doubt that B&W would provide a matched pair, especially for a lower model. My thoughts are that this is probably not the last time that this will happen, so having a spare around would be worthwhile. Starting off fresh on both tweeters would pretty much guarantee even break in and that there were no "extenuating circumstances" should one blow again. If it did, Baileyje would have the spare that was already broken in, so the differences in drivers would be minimal.

Baileyje: While i can understand where you are coming from, won't this encourage your son to do minimal damage to your car, TV, etc... and then fix it so that he can have those too ??? : ) Sean
>
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
My old (decades ago) Magneplanars bit the dust because I blew out the tweeter wires. My new MG1.6 have a fuse, and the manufacturer claims to have proven, by practical tests, that it is impossible to blow the tweeter wires so long as the fuse is in place. Peace of mind!
baileyje OP
45 posts
 
Sean,

It's a good thought about the car, tv, etc. The only problem is he's already done that. This is a smart kid, he probably did this to get the stereo.
baileyje OP
45 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. I've ordered a new tweeter. However, I've got a couple more questions. Should I be able to see some kind of damage to the tweeter? I've taken the entire unit apart and I can't see any scratch or tear or even a dent. There are two very thin wires attached to the tweeter. They seem intact. Also, when I am playing music, I have gently touched the tweeter. It does not vibrate. I expected this, but the other speaker, which seems to work fine, does not vibrate either. I suspect I just don't know what I'm looking for. I thought I would feel a vibration on the good speaker. Any thoughts?
More to discover