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Vandersteen 2Wq subwoofers with M5-HP crossovers - help needed

I have been happily using a pair of Vandy 2Wq subs with single-ended M5-HP crossovers for a few years now. My system was dialed in the way I like it (bass a bit on the full side, but still tight and defined). I just had my amplifier repaired and upgraded, and the new input impedance is 22k ohms vs. the 10k ohms before the upgrade. I followed the Vandersteen recommendation for the jumper settings in the M5-HP (6 and 7 only, "on" or not open), and the bass is just about MIA altogether. As per the Vandy web site, I disregarded the chart on the case of the M5-HP and followed the chart on the web site.  Because I am an idiot, I didn’t bother to mark down the settings of the jumpers prior to changing them. Anybody have any suggestions for me that will restore the bass? I am pretty sure the issue is the jumper settings. Thanks in advance!
bondmanp
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Harbour Freight has nice big red 23 dollar Voltmeter.
 It sounds like your meter is shorting your amp's speaker outputs provoking it into protection.

You need to find out where this newly modified amps input impedance really is.
We have seen modifiers install transformers at the input stage,
changing the amps input impedance thinking they are making a masterpiece and muck up the whole picture.
  
Also, your older pre-owned Hi pass units 2012 batteries should be changed immediately and have the 10-year lithium Batteries installed by Vandersteen or a real tech,..and performance verified.
 Best JohnnyR
  
bondmanp OP
1,810 posts
 

@audioconnection - Well, the amp was modded by the original manufacturer, so I will have a conversation with him about the input stage.

Once I have this conversation with the manufacturer, I will re-evaluate and look into battery replacement.    Thanks!

gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
Yup, 2012 batteries are probably kaput. Don't they have the expiration year written on them? All the ones I have, have a date written in magic marker, so no question when to replace.
B
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Are you sure the possible exhausted batteries can cause output level problems? I was under the impression that the batteries, like Audioquest's DBS battery packs had more to due with the dielectric of the signal thru the interconnects. More of an SQ problem. Not output.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@mr_m  What provoked me to open up my M5-HPs were a loss of output from my subs.  Once I played music with lots of deep bass and heard a lack of it I realized the crossover batteries were shot.

You may also be right about the batteries charging dielectric as Richard was in on the development of dbs with Bill Low.
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