Need help with speakers.

[Funkadelic]

Recently I was playing a gig and my two Accusound PA-1510's just stopped working, both at exactly the same time. I can now get absolutely no sound from them, and I have tested the amp and that's not the problem. Seeing as they both went at exactly the same time, horn, tweeters, monitor and all, I am doubting they are blown . . . especially seeing as I was a) running then under the RMS and b) they weren't distorting prior to them failing, however I am totally lost on what might have happened to them. If anyone has any ideas it would be greatly appreciated as I have gigs coming up and no speakers :/

 

[m_vanmeter]

is there a protection fuse, or fuses, located within the speakers ?

 

[KEW]

is there a protection fuse, or fuses, located within the speakers ?

Excellent question!

Looking at the specs, among the Accusound PA series, your model has the lowest power handling capability and the lowest efficiency (although 98dB is excellent by hi-fi standards) so they may be relatively fragile power hogs by pro audio standards. You don't say what you were using to drive them or if you had them cranked when they went out, but the fact that both channels went at the same time suggests a specific load may have been common to both channels.

http://www.audioaustralia.com.au/pa.htm

If you bought them new, it looks like they come with a 5 year warranty.

The website has the following information:

The crossovers have been designed using the highest quality components, including a new driver protection system that has been designed to protect the High-Frequency Drivers against damaging signals caused by overloading, having the ability to seamlessly return the Loudspeaker to normal operating levels immediately after any period of overload.

It doesn't say if the entire system (both drivers) will go into a protection mode or just the horn, but this would indicate you would immediately have your sound back once the volume was turned down.

I assume you've tried them again (after any thermal condition in the amp or speaker has had time to cool down).

 

[Funkadelic]

Hmmm . . . I am not sure about fuses. That could make sense though. I have to find the right size allen key to open them up though

I initially thought they cut out because the load may have been too large, but I tried them again after everything had cooled down and with another amp and different leads, but still nothing.
I was running them on an Australian Monitor 1k2, which puts out 400 watts aside at 8 Ohms, however it wasn't on full volume, and neither was the mixer . . .
Sadly I bought them new but not from the Audio Australia :/ so no warranty . . .

Also I have run them at higher capacities previously yet there was no problem, however not for the same length of time . . . which is probably a factor . . .

 

[Funkadelic]

Ok I have found the problem . . . there is a board inside called 'Vega 1.5' which I guess is the driver protection system. Part of it has totally burnt out and broken . . .

 

[KEW]

Well, the description of the protection circuitry would indicate that the protection circuit should cut in without burning up. Best to call the manufacturer and discuss when you order parts. Also, while you have it open, hook a music source at low volume directly to each driver to make sure no damage was done. You don't want to replace the Vega 1.5's only to find that your drivers are fried.

It sounds like you should be keeping your eyes open for an opportunity to sell these and move to something which can put out higher sound levels before you cook the Vega 1.5 boards again.

Edit: Since you are by-passing the crossover, be sure to keep the volume really low for testing, I am a little woried that sending low frequency signal to a tweeter could be damaging at higher levels.

 

[Funkadelic]

Yea ok thanks, good idea. I'll get onto that. I have contacted the dealer to get some information on the parts already, hopefully there should be no problem and the parts won't cost that much . . .

Just a quick question. I have a gig this weekend and I have no speakers, but if I just connected the monitor (sub) to the amp and use some separate gear I have for the highs there should be no problem right? If I keep it at a relatively low volume I won't blow the subs . . .