Please Help Me Diagnose Speaker Problem

[kryptonian]

Hello and thank you for reading this thread. Please allow me to apologize in advance for not knowing all the correct terminology, but I will explain the problem as best I can. I purchased a new pair of Paradigm Studio 10 v.5s and am having a problem with one of the speakers. When the speaker hits a certain lower frequency range, I get a roar-type sound behind the main sound, which sometimes overtakes the main sound, particularly at louder volumes, though the problem also surfaces at lower volumes. I believe the sound is very similar to the roar-type sound that you get when screaming into a microphone. I have also noticed that if I push around on the cone a bit, all the way around, that it will minimize and almost alleviate the problem, even at the same volume on the same material, though it will very soon start up again. There is no visible damage viewable from the outside without the grille on. What does it sound like the problem is? How major of a repair is involved? Thank you so much for your help. I hope to get it producing the same amazing sound that the other one is giving me as soon as possible!

 

[markw]

I purchased a new pair of Paradigm Studio 10 v.5s and am having a problem with one of the speakers.

First, you might want to switch speakers to verify that it's really that one speaker.

If there is, in fact, a problem with that one speaker, note the bolded word in the quoted snippet. This implies a warranty. Use it.

If you touch that speaker's insides, you may void that warranty.

 

[kryptonian]

Well, they were sold to me as new and unused at least. The dealer had had them for a while for personal use, but decided to get bigger ones. I don't think it's a wiring issue, as I have some heavy-duty 14-gauge wire running to it, and, as I mentioned, pressing around on the cone a bit does work to make the problem better for a short time. I will definitely check again in a bit, though. Until then, however, is this not something that is a common speaker problem or damage? Maybe my terminology is even worse than I thought!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello and thank you for reading this thread. Please allow me to apologize in advance for not knowing all the correct terminology, but I will explain the problem as best I can. I purchased a new pair of Paradigm Studio 10 v.5s and am having a problem with one of the speakers. When the speaker hits a certain lower frequency range, I get a roar-type sound behind the main sound, which sometimes overtakes the main sound, particularly at louder volumes, though the problem also surfaces at lower volumes. I believe the sound is very similar to the roar-type sound that you get when screaming into a microphone. I have also noticed that if I push around on the cone a bit, all the way around, that it will minimize and almost alleviate the problem, even at the same volume on the same material, though it will very soon start up again. There is no visible damage viewable from the outside without the grille on. What does it sound like the problem is? How major of a repair is involved? Thank you so much for your help. I hope to get it producing the same amazing sound that the other one is giving me as soon as possible!

Switch the speakers connections right to left. If the problem stays with the speaker, it is the speaker. If it moves sides, it is the receiver/amp.

If it is the speaker, it has gap rub and the woofer will need reconing, or driver replacement.

 

[kryptonian]

I have now checked and swapped out all the wiring and have determined it is not a wiring issue or a problem with other hardware.

 

[kryptonian]

I have posted an 8-second YouTube video that I made where I believe you will be able to hear the problem, especially at the end. Please let me know what you think the problem is, as well as any possible solutions. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIM5BsKOLVg

 

[markw]

Again...

You cannot fix this without replacing the driver.

I think you should stop whining and contact the dealer who sold them to you to fix then under warranty.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have posted an 8-second YouTube video that I made where I believe you will be able to hear the problem, especially at the end. Please let me know what you think the problem is, as well as any possible solutions. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIM5BsKOLVg

The speaker has gap rub and needs replacing under warranty.

Do not post further, just do it!

 

[kryptonian]

Right, I'm "whining" by trying to get help figuring out what may be wrong with my speaker since I may end up being responsible for the repair myself. As I said, the dealer purchased them for his own personal use, but claimed he did not use them. As I understand, however, the warranty is not transferable. I do not expect any assistance from him.

As I said earlier, I do not know all the correct terminology so please forgive this question, but are reconing and driver replacement the same thing? Will I need to do both? Are there places online where I can buy these parts?

 

[TLS Guy]

Right, I'm "whining" by trying to get help figuring out what may be wrong with my speaker since I may end up being responsible for the repair myself. As I said, the dealer purchased them for his own personal use, but claimed he did not use them. As I understand, however, the warranty is not transferable. I do not expect any assistance from him.

As I said earlier, I do not know all the correct terminology so please forgive this question, but are reconing and driver replacement the same thing? Will I need to do both? Are there places online where I can buy these parts?

You have redress against the dealer. Insist that he takes responsibility for the problem. If he won't, take him to small claims court. If you bought from an authorized paradigm dealer, then you have warranty. If he is not an authorized Paradigm dealer, then this was a private sale. Either way it is unlawful for him to sell you broken goods without disclosure.

You will have to contact Paradigm. See of they have a reconing service, or if you have to purchase a new driver. Only Paradigm can fix this.

 

[kryptonian]

TLS Guy, if this is not a manufacturing problem and is somehow due to something the previous owner did, would it be fair to assume that the other speaker, even though it sounds fine to me, might have some sort of problem as well that could surface at any moment?

 

[TLS Guy]

TLS Guy, if this is not a manufacturing problem and is somehow due to something the previous owner did, would it be fair to assume that the other speaker, even though it sounds fine to me, might have some sort of problem as well that could surface at any moment?

Most likely the speaker left the factory with the problem. The speaker may have been assembled with the problem, or the voice coil was improperly wound and the voice coil subsequently dropped a turn or two.

The other possibility is that the speakers have been severely over driven and the voice coil has dropped a turn or become swollen due to partial burn out.

The other possibility is that the speaker was over driven, with a sudden transient and the voice coil left the cap and the edge of the voice coil was snagged and damaged as it returned to the gap.

Only disassembling the speaker will tell what happened. If the voice coil has no black areas, or charring, or edge damage then it left the factory that way.

Only if the voice coil shows signs of having been cooked, is there a possibility of premature failure of the other speaker.

Whatever the case only Paradigm can assist you. Your next step is to get in touch with them and not more posts here. We can provide you no further meaningful assistance.

 

[kryptonian]

Thanks for the info. I always like to learn something when I can. Please understand I came into this thread having no experience with quality speakers, not knowing what the problem could be, if it was potentially fixable by me, how major it was, etc., etc. Thanks to you, I have a better understanding of how things work.