Is my speaker blown? How to tell?

[derekwwww]

If a speaker is supposed to be say 8 ohms, and it tests as 5.5 ohms with a multimeter would that mean it is blown? Is there any other way to tell?

I hooked the speaker up and I didnt see but the two banana plugs on the speaker were touching. I turned the amp on and after a short amount of time I shut it off. I noticed the problem and fixed it, then turned the amp on again. The speaker kind of sounds like it might be blown. I tested it with the multi meter and it tests at 5.5 ohms. Im not sure what it tested at prior because i didnt test it, but the website says its a 8 ohm speaker. The speaker is a James 63-SDX.


Thanks

 

[Brian_the_King]

The resistance of speakers can vary greatly from the value the manufacturer gives so that does not really tell you much.. I think if a speaker is actually blown it doesn't work anymore. But I don't really know what else to tell you other than 'it will sound bad'.

 

[Adam]

I can't say, but I would like to suggest contacting James Loudspeaker directly if you haven't already. Their contact info is available at the link here. Hopefully their technical support will be able to address your question, as they should have the specific knowledge of that speaker.

 

[no. 5]

If a speaker is supposed to be say 8 ohms, and it tests as 5.5 ohms with a multimeter would that mean it is blown?

No, the DC resistance of a speaker and the manufacturer specified 'nominal impedance' are two different things.

Out of curiosity, have you tried connecting that speaker to another channel on the amplifier?

 

[TLS Guy]

If a speaker is supposed to be say 8 ohms, and it tests as 5.5 ohms with a multimeter would that mean it is blown? Is there any other way to tell?

I hooked the speaker up and I didnt see but the two banana plugs on the speaker were touching. I turned the amp on and after a short amount of time I shut it off. I noticed the problem and fixed it, then turned the amp on again. The speaker kind of sounds like it might be blown. I tested it with the multi meter and it tests at 5.5 ohms. Im not sure what it tested at prior because i didnt test it, but the website says its a 8 ohm speaker. The speaker is a James 63-SDX.


Thanks

It is much more likely you have blown the amp rather than the speaker from what happened. A DC resistance of 5.5 ohms is about right for a speaker with a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.

As suggested test the speaker on another amp channel, and test the amp channel on another speaker.

Touching terminals like that, is the best way to blow amps.

 

[Missionman]

5.5 sounds about right for normallity, my speakers show 5.7 on a multi-meter. the resistance is also cut by your speaker cable, all cables carry some resistance, the less resistance, the better. it certainly does sound like your amp, i have had the same problem a while ago, my amp kpet trippin, to protect the speaker, it will most probably be your amp/processor

 

[olddog]

Carefully--very carefully and softly place your fingers spread out evenly on the diaphragm of the speaker (not the surround) and move the speaker in just a tad then relax pressure and repeat. If you feel scratchy resistance or hear it then you most likely have a blown speaker. The movement should feel smooth as silk.

 

[TLS Guy]

Carefully--very carefully and softly place your fingers spread out evenly on the diaphragm of the speaker (not the surround) and move the speaker in just a tad then relax pressure and repeat. If you feel scratchy resistance or hear it then you most likely have a blown speaker. The movement should feel smooth as silk.

That only tests for gap rub, it tells you nothing else about the state of the VC.

 

[tom67]

Swap them

swap the left and right speakers and see how they sound in case its the amp

 

[lsiberian]

If a speaker is supposed to be say 8 ohms, and it tests as 5.5 ohms with a multimeter would that mean it is blown? Is there any other way to tell?

I hooked the speaker up and I didnt see but the two banana plugs on the speaker were touching. I turned the amp on and after a short amount of time I shut it off. I noticed the problem and fixed it, then turned the amp on again. The speaker kind of sounds like it might be blown. I tested it with the multi meter and it tests at 5.5 ohms. Im not sure what it tested at prior because i didnt test it, but the website says its a 8 ohm speaker. The speaker is a James 63-SDX.


Thanks

Well I think it might be the speaker. Or just perception. I wouldn't expect a current from a blown amp. Usually a fuse would blow or a circuit breaker would switch.

I think you may just be hearing things that aren't there(at least we all hope so)

 

[yettitheman]

I just get a short piece of speaker cable, and touch it to a AA battery. If the woofer moves, it's good. If you can hear the tweeter make noise, it's good.


Wasn't that simple