2x15 cab problem or brand new blown speaker?

[bazzanderson]

I bought an Acoustic 215BX replica off of Craigslist 2 months ago for $250.00. The cabinet itself was worth that alone (I think anyway). The speakers were old and totally shot....not necessarily blown but they sounded like crap. I ordered two Carvin 15" bass drivers, installed them without gasketing the backs first (front mounted). I played it once after that (very loud rehearsal) and noticed right off the bat that the bottom speaker was distorting a little. I re-eq'd and it helped but it was still there (more present with strong mids). I figured maybe it was speaker / baffle rattle so I took both out and applied some gaskets to the back then re-mounted. That seemed to help even more BUT there's still a hint of distortion from the bottom speaker (top one sounds just fine). The distortion is more present when mids are up'd on my pedal and amp (Kustom DE300HD). The distortion disappears during full band rehearsal of course but the fact it's there is bothering me. Could I have damaged the speaker when I intially installed it and played if for the first time?? I'm almost certain it's not cab rattle as I inspected the cab when I took out the original speakers out and it's a rock solid built cab.

[BassmanPaul]

Just shoehorning any old driver into a cabinet not designed around them is not good speaker design. Read the FAQs on page one.

[craig.p]

Swap the speakers around and see if the noise stays where it is or follows the speaker.

[Robby Hoinsky]

Originally Posted by craig.p

Swap the speakers around and see if the noise stays where it is or follows the speaker.

+1

[Plstrns]

Make sure the speaker wires aren't touching the back of the cone.

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by Robby Hoinsky

+1

+2

[bazzanderson]

Duh!.....I can't believe I didn't think to swap them. I'll try that & see what happens.
Thx guys....I'll report back after I do that.

[btp]

Originally Posted by Plstrns

Make sure the speaker wires aren't touching the back of the cone.

+1 (or anything else -- little bits of insulation or whatever...)

[bazzanderson]

Definitely the speaker......swapped them and the distortion followed the speaker. Thankfully Carvin has a good warranty.

[bazzanderson]

Carvin is awesome. They shipped out a new 8ohm 15" driver and I'll have it this Friday. All I have to do is ship the faulty one back in the same box & they gave me a return UPS shipping label.