Need to replace Paradigm PS 1200 driver

[Ranj]

Hello all,

I am trying to figure out if I can replace the driver of my Paradigm PS 1200 subwoofer. I got the sub in 2001 so its no longer under warranty. I opened it up today and saw that the driver is pretty much obliterated. the cone has sepatated completely from its surroundings. It looks pretty straightforward to just take out the old driver and replace it with a new one in the same enclosure.

Can anyone guide me to a decent driver that can be used in this model ?
The amplifier is rated at 250 watts on the box.

Thanks for your help,

Ranj

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The easiest thing would be to just put the same replacement driver in there, otherwise you are going to have to figure out the exact encloser size, port size and what driver would work in this box along with how many watts this driver will need- which is pretty much starting backwards.

 

[Ranj]

Thanks for the quick reply ParadigmDawg. Do you by any chance have a ballpark figure of the original paradigm driver cost ?

I am going to call Sensuous Sound Systems tomorrow ( from where I brought this sub), but not sure if they will have the exact driver on hand. Looking at the paradigm site, it shows this model has been discontinued.
It would be a shame to just throw out a perfectly good enclosure and amp on it just because of the driver.

Thanks ,

Ranj

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the quick reply ParadigmDawg. Do you by any chance have a ballpark figure of the original paradigm driver cost ?

I am going to call Sensuous Sound Systems tomorrow ( from where I brought this sub), but not sure if they will have the exact driver on hand. Looking at the paradigm site, it shows this model has been discontinued.
It would be a shame to just throw out a perfectly good enclosure and amp on it just because of the driver.

Thanks ,

Ranj

I bet Paradigm can recone the driver for you. I would expect to pay $70 to $90 for the service.

Just one word of caution. The amp may be the problem. When a driver is destroyed that badly it usually means one of two things.

You played it far too loud, or: -

The amp has developed DC off set and fried the driver.

 

[Ranj]

Thanks TLS Guy,

The dealer no longer has in house servicing, so I am SOL there. E mailed Paradigm if they ship a driver to a customer directly. Lets see.

I had one question. How can an Amp develop a DC offset on its own. I did not play the sub too loud of I would have heard from my wife about it by now and I have not even touched it or any of its settings for several years.

I was thinking that it just may be past it age now as far as the driver cone is concerned ( almost 9 yrs in use).

Now I am wondering if its worth it to replace the driver even I f I could get it directly from paradigm for a reasonable price.

Don't know how to figure out the Amp issue.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks TLS Guy,

The dealer no longer has in house servicing, so I am SOL there. E mailed Paradigm if they ship a driver to a customer directly. Lets see.

I had one question. How can an Amp develop a DC offset on its own. I did not play the sub too loud of I would have heard from my wife about it by now and I have not even touched it or any of its settings for several years.

I was thinking that it just may be past it age now as far as the driver cone is concerned ( almost 9 yrs in use).

Now I am wondering if its worth it to replace the driver even I f I could get it directly from paradigm for a reasonable price.

Don't know how to figure out the Amp issue.

Power transistors and MOSFETS are generally directly coupled to the drivers. When these devices fail, they can pass some or all of the DC rail voltage through the speaker voice coil and fry it, if there is no DC protection circuit.

From what you say the amp needs checking for DC off set under power, before any replacement or rebuilt driver is installed.

Paradigm should be able to recone that woofer if they have cones, voice coils, dust caps and surrounds available. That would be your cheapest solution.

 

[Ranj]

Subwoofer fixed

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to update on my Paradigm PS 1200 issue.
The paradigm dealer told me that it would cost between $ 250 to 300 to fix the sub ( no longer under warranty).
Paradigm wanted $ 200 to ship a new driver to me.
I took the driver to speaker exchange, they measured it and gave me the correct refoam kit and also showed me how to do it correctly.

Total cost - $ 20.

I am happy to report that the sub is working as good as new now.

Thanks for your help.

 

[daktah]

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to update on my Paradigm PS 1200 issue.
The paradigm dealer told me that it would cost between $ 250 to 300 to fix the sub ( no longer under warranty).
Paradigm wanted $ 200 to ship a new driver to me.
I took the driver to speaker exchange, they measured it and gave me the correct refoam kit and also showed me how to do it correctly.

Total cost - $ 20.

I am happy to report that the sub is working as good as new now.

Thanks for your help.

Sounds like a happy ending. I have the same issue --- freat product, busted woofer...

Paradigm is not too far from me so I am going to contact them and get cost on them repairing vs buying a new driver from them. I have removed the driver and can re-install myself.

I also wanted to explore refoaming myself so how difficult was it and where did you get the refoaming kit?

Thanks.

 

[TLS Guy]

Sounds like a happy ending. I have the same issue --- freat product, busted woofer...

Paradigm is not too far from me so I am going to contact them and get cost on them repairing vs buying a new driver from them. I have removed the driver and can re-install myself.

I also wanted to explore refoaming myself so how difficult was it and where did you get the refoaming kit?

Thanks.

There are lots of places to get refoaming kits. Paradigm will likely sell you one. You don't need to buy a new driver.

 

[TLS Guy]

Sounds like a happy ending. I have the same issue --- freat product, busted woofer...

Paradigm is not too far from me so I am going to contact them and get cost on them repairing vs buying a new driver from them. I have removed the driver and can re-install myself.

I also wanted to explore refoaming myself so how difficult was it and where did you get the refoaming kit?

Thanks.

Nice to know of the happy ending.

 

[daktah]

Replace paradigm ps1200 speaker

Sounds like a happy ending. I have the same issue --- freat product, busted woofer...

Paradigm is not too far from me so I am going to contact them and get cost on them repairing vs buying a new driver from them. I have removed the driver and can re-install myself.

I also wanted to explore refoaming myself so how difficult was it and where did you get the refoaming kit?

Thanks.

Actually Paradigm wants $180 + pst and gst for a new "cast" (not "stampted" as the original) for a new replacement driver. They recone for about $100 + taxes. I am looking into replacing the speaker with a similar or better quality driver but I need to get the right ohms, etc for the original. there is nothing but paradigm related model #, etc info on the speaker --- not even a name brand. Since I believe it is the enclosure design that is mostly responsible for the amazing sound (I know the whole design/amp/speaker combination is the key), I think I should get the same or better sound with a similar or better driver. Hence I am starting my investigation and pricing / quality compares.
Your comments/feedback?

 

[TLS Guy]

Actually Paradigm wants $180 + pst and gst for a new "cast" (not "stampted" as the original) for a new replacement driver. They recone for about $100 + taxes. I am looking into replacing the speaker with a similar or better quality driver but I need to get the right ohms, etc for the original. there is nothing but paradigm related model #, etc info on the speaker --- not even a name brand. Since I believe it is the enclosure design that is mostly responsible for the amazing sound (I know the whole design/amp/speaker combination is the key), I think I should get the same or better sound with a similar or better driver. Hence I am starting my investigation and pricing / quality compares.
Your comments/feedback?

That is just about an impossible task. Your replacement driver needs to have the same T/S parameters. Finding two drivers with identical T/S parameters is seldom possible.

If you want a better driver build a new sub from scratch, otherwise repair the one you have.

 

[daktah]

Hmmmm... sounds like good advise and I thank you for your time. Just so I better understand, what is the "T/S parameters"?

I went to a speaker store and after a long long chat with the very knowledgeable guy, he recommended an older (but new) audiosphere from the same era it seems. An Audiosphere with the following markings on the magnet:
W12-30CFT
1999/.03 TA

for about $100 CDN.

It woudl cost me about the same to repair the old one. He reqjected all other models based on them not being similar in power, performance and expected sound.

Your feedback is appreciated.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hmmmm... sounds like good advise and I thank you for your time. Just so I better understand, what is the "T/S parameters"?

I went to a speaker store and after a long long chat with the very knowledgeable guy, he recommended an older (but new) audiosphere from the same era it seems. An Audiosphere with the following markings on the magnet:
W12-30CFT
1999/.03 TA

for about $100 CDN.

It woudl cost me about the same to repair the old one. He reqjected all other models based on them not being similar in power, performance and expected sound.

Your feedback is appreciated.

You had bad advice. Those are not T/Samaters, that are a long list of specs describing the mechanical and electrical properties of the driver.

 

[highfigh]

Most of the time, if an amp throws enough DC into a voice coil to fry it, the cone will be unable to move unless the winding just fails and the wire breaks. As long as the voice coil doesn't scrape or make a clicking sound when it moves, the woofer should be good for a long time.

For those who smoke cigarettes, the smoke breaks the foam surround down faster than just about anything, other than direct sunlight, and while that would apply less to a down-firing woofer, it does apply to all other speakers that have a foam surround and are placed where they're exposed to direct sunlight.

 

[bgbytes]

Hi,
I have a Paradigm PS1200 that has recently suffered the same fate as yours did back in 2009. I was surfing the web for info on the 1200 and came across this chat room. I see you were able to successfully repair your driver yourself and at minimal cost. I'm hoping that this will reach you even after all the time that has passed.

I noticed that you said you took your driver to speaker exchange and received the necessary materials and advice on how to repair the driver. What/where is the speaker exchange? Wondering if I can access them as well. I live in Hillsborough, NC. If not, any advice how to find local resources that might be able to help me?

Many thanks,
Bill

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to update on my Paradigm PS 1200 issue.
The paradigm dealer told me that it would cost between $ 250 to 300 to fix the sub ( no longer under warranty).
Paradigm wanted $ 200 to ship a new driver to me.
I took the driver to speaker exchange, they measured it and gave me the correct refoam kit and also showed me how to do it correctly.

Total cost - $ 20.

I am happy to report that the sub is working as good as new now.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Tsunamijhoe]

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to update on my Paradigm PS 1200 issue.
The paradigm dealer told me that it would cost between $ 250 to 300 to fix the sub ( no longer under warranty).
Paradigm wanted $ 200 to ship a new driver to me.
I took the driver to speaker exchange, they measured it and gave me the correct refoam kit and also showed me how to do it correctly.

Total cost - $ 20.

I am happy to report that the sub is working as good as new now.

Thanks for your help.

No idea if you still read this thread Ranj,but i was wondering if you could tell me how i open up my ps1200? I tried unscrewing all screws on the bottom save the 3 i suspect holds the amp,but the bottom did not come off,i was afraid to unscrew the last 3 if the amp would come off then. Do i need to unscrew all screws in the bottom?
I also need to check my drivers as one of them has now begun to chuf even at very low volume,so something is going on inside. I also need to replace a RCA connector,as it seems to have short circuitet.
Other than that these subs have served me very well for the past 10 years or so,i have 2 of them.

Please help

 

[Newbiemike]

Not sure if this thread will reach anyone, but I have a paradigm ps-1200 that isn’t doing well. I’m fairly certain the surround is shot, so I’m planning on purchasing a kit and repairing myself. How however have you pulled the speaker out of this beast? Do you need to pull the amp plate off the back and all of the screws out of the bottom? Looking for some guidance here from those who have done this and remember the procedure.
Thanks!!!

 

[Eppie]

Not sure if this thread will reach anyone, but I have a paradigm ps-1200 that isn’t doing well. I’m fairly certain the surround is shot, so I’m planning on purchasing a kit and repairing myself. How however have you pulled the speaker out of this beast? Do you need to pull the amp plate off the back and all of the screws out of the bottom? Looking for some guidance here from those who have done this and remember the procedure.
Thanks!!!

Here are some pictures with the plate amp removed.
I have not repaired one personally. Removing the plate amp allows you to disconnect the wires from the speaker before you remove it. The speaker is heavy so you don't want it dropping down and yanking the wires and possibly damaging the amp. Plenty of videos out there on how to refoam surrounds.