2. amps-preamps
  3. 147744-3552

Amp or speaker issue?

Was not sure if this should be under amps or speakers, I picked amps.

I have a Sunfire 300w x 2 amp. In 2012 I sent this to Rita”s, Carver”s shop, and they replaced a handful of capacitors and upgraded some wiring. Has seen little use since then. 

I purchased a pair of used Vandersteen Model 2 speakers and the sound was great. After a month or so I started to get a “crackle” on deeper bass only on one speaker. This was in 2014. Over the past couple years I haven”t used this setup often but both speakers have started to, for lack of a better description, crackle on bass.  Not constant but seems more frequent. I am setting a simple 2 channel setup and was thinking of getting new Vandersteen”s.

Yeah, finally to the question...Is this crackle from the age and damage to the speakers, if so new speakers. Or could the amp be too much power for the speakers? If that is the case what amp would be recommeded for new Vandersteen Model 2CE Sig 2?

Thanks for any advice!
walstib
erik_squires
16,346 posts
 
I doubt the amp is just too much, but it is possible something is going on with them. I'd have it seen soon, to prevent damage to the speakers.

Visually inspect the woofers. With the amp off, check the dust caps and make sure they are still attached. Run your finger around the surround, make sure it's all in one piece, and finally, evenly, press the speaker in. It should move smoothly.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
At what sound level does it happen? Could be the woofers are being overdriven by bass transients. Careful with that volume control when using such a powerful amp!
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
"...check the dust caps and make sure they are still attached. Run your finger around the surround, make sure it's all in one piece,"

Easier said than done on the Vandersteen model 2s...
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,907 posts
 
More likely the amp is overdriving the speaker than the amp is clipping unless you are flat out turning it up full. Cracking sound is a classic giveaway of a speaker driver reaching its limit.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Walstib, is the crackle volume dependent? How much volume does it take to get the crackle started? 
Erik is right. Most likely it is the woofers failing. The surrounds and spiders fail and in some instances the voice coil lacquer deteriorates and the coil becomes unsprung. If you push on the woofer you can feel it grind. Amplifiers do not fail like this. If you can't get to the woofers just take the amp to a local store and plug it into other speakers. If it is working fine then you know for a fact it is the speakers.
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