Need help diagnosing tweeter problem

[durl]

Need help diagnosing Paradigm tweeter problem

I have a 5-yr old set of Paradigm Monitor 3 speakers. I recently noticed that the highs were lacking on one side. There is a little high-end coming through the tweeter, but not much. The overall sound on the speaker is a little flat, as you would imagine.

I pulled the tweeter out and checked the connection which was fine. Then I switched the left and right speakers to see if it was the receiver, but the problem followed the speaker. I even took the tweeter out and swapped it with the one in the other speaker, but the problem is still there. So I've concluded that the tweeter itself is to blame, but since there's some sound coming out of it, I'm not sure exactly what is wrong.

Do I need a whole new tweeter or is there something else that might be wrong? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[markw]

Sounds like you've donea fine job of isolating the problem to the tweeter itself.

Unless you can go into the tweeter to find and correct the problem, which is not really feasable, then I'd just suck it up and order an exact replacment from Paradigm.

That's what I would do, anyway.

 

[j_garcia]

It is fried. The voice coil is damaged, but not completely not making a connection, which is why it still works somewhat. This normally happens when you clip the signal when the amp runs out of current. As mark said, there is no way to fix it really, and I doubt they sell individual parts, so you will most likely have to order the whole thing.

 

[durl]

I can order a tweeter from Paradigm or a local dealer, but the dealer asked if I knew whether I needed a new diaphragm ($20) or a whole new tweeter ($70).

Naturally, I'd hope to go the less expensive route IF that is all I need. I figured I better ask some questions and get some input from some more audio-educated people before I start ordering parts.

 

[markw]

Why not call/write Paradigm to see if they will repair your existing one and how much that would cost?

 

[j_garcia]

I had a Mini Monitor tweeter get damaged so I took it apart; it's quite easy to do. It might be a good idea to take it in to them to see if they can tell what is really wrong with it for sure. If you don't have soldering tools, I'd probably let them do it.