T300 Tower Speaker Amps not working

[Gvbills]

Hello all. I have an inherited system of Newton Series speakers, including 2 T300/500 tower speakers with integrated powered subwoofers, two of the multipole speakers, two of the loud speakers, and I use additionally a polk audio center channel and two additional polk audio powered subwoofers. Yes, I like bass. I power using a Onkyo tx-sr607 amp. My problem is, the tower speaker's amps/subs have failed. On both towers, there is a rocker switch to turn them on underneath the speaker. These speakers worked for many years. I fear when they were transported across state lines in a truck, the bouncing ruined them. I noticed a loud popping sound that comes from both towers when turned on. I took them once to an old school repair shop. It took forever, but the guy eventually said he got someone to solder back certain wires in the amps or connections and they worked for a few months. But, the issue came back. I am in southwest michigan. Wondering your recommendations to get these back in working condition? I read integrated amps are vulnerable to their own vibrations causing issues. These towers are super heavy. Is there a way to replace the amps? Remove the amps and instead add some type of bass amp between the primary amp and the towers? What I had wired previously from the Onkyo was one bass cable routed to the two towers witha splitter, and the second bass output from the amp to the two polk audio subs with a splitter. I love these family handed down towers and hope to get them back in working condition. Anyone have any ideas? Kind thanks in advance.

 

[j_garcia]

Given that Cambridge Soundworks went out of business over 15 years ago, I would not expect replacements to be available. Repairs are possible, but potentially expensive unfortunately.

To convert them to passive, one would need to know if the bass drivers are passively integrated or if the drivers were actively integrated via the amps. If the x-over is built into the amp, it will be harder because you will have to manually blend them with the speaker.

I would check eBay and get a spare pair that work, basically as parts, and either swap the amps or just use those as-is. Those amps are going to fail sooner or later, just because of age. While actively powered speakers were a decent idea, designing to a price point meant the amps were always going to be the weak spot.

 

[Eppie]

I managed to find some good photos on an Ebay auction:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175883001924

Those speakers require a low pass filter for the subwoofer drivers. The filter is usually built into the amp, so you can not just replace them with any straight amplifier or you end up sending a full range signal to the subs. At minimum, you need a subwoofer amplifier with a built in crossover. Those are available from PartsExpress but they are typically plate amps designed for the outside of a subwoofer enclosure. They will not fit those cabinets. What you have is a highly customized design that would require exact replacements.

As suggested, you may find spare parts on Ebay. If you really want to keep those speakers, I'm afraid that you'll have to find a competent repair technician again. Given the age of the speaker, the amps are likely discreet components and should be serviceable.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just buy new speakers and subs that do NOT have built-in amps/electronics.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello all. I have an inherited system of Newton Series speakers, including 2 T300/500 tower speakers with integrated powered subwoofers, two of the multipole speakers, two of the loud speakers, and I use additionally a polk audio center channel and two additional polk audio powered subwoofers. Yes, I like bass. I power using a Onkyo tx-sr607 amp. My problem is, the tower speaker's amps/subs have failed. On both towers, there is a rocker switch to turn them on underneath the speaker. These speakers worked for many years. I fear when they were transported across state lines in a truck, the bouncing ruined them. I noticed a loud popping sound that comes from both towers when turned on. I took them once to an old school repair shop. It took forever, but the guy eventually said he got someone to solder back certain wires in the amps or connections and they worked for a few months. But, the issue came back. I am in southwest michigan. Wondering your recommendations to get these back in working condition? I read integrated amps are vulnerable to their own vibrations causing issues. These towers are super heavy. Is there a way to replace the amps? Remove the amps and instead add some type of bass amp between the primary amp and the towers? What I had wired previously from the Onkyo was one bass cable routed to the two towers witha splitter, and the second bass output from the amp to the two polk audio subs with a splitter. I love these family handed down towers and hope to get them back in working condition. Anyone have any ideas? Kind thanks in advance.

Can't find any useful details on those speakers, except that those early class D amps in those speakers blew up at an alarming rate. Details of the speakers seem to have dropped off the edge of the Earth. However from what I remember the arrangement was similar to the Def-Tech speakers and you can not just replace that amp with another one a the cross to the mids is involved in the circuitry. Honestly I think it is the end of the line. Those class D amps are very difficult to service, but your only hope is to try and find a service tech ready to take them on.

 

[Bobby Bass]

Contact Michael Edwards at Edwards Electronics in Arizona. He helped me with mine. The amps eventually fail in those towers. They’re beautiful towers and sound good when they’re working. Good luck!