ashdown speaker replacement

jarrydee · #1 11-06-2011, 10:43 AM

yes I am a total noob to this stuff so if I seem stupid please forgive me!!

I have an ashdown MAG 300 combo with the 2x10 blue line speakers in it, they say 100 watt 16ohm...One of them sounds blown to me, I can push it in with my hand and it does not make that scratchy sound like a blown speaker would but it still sound blown to me! Any recommendations on replacing these speakers would be very appreciated, if there is a CHEAP way to do it that would also be great! Thank you very much for your help!

PS. the amp says "4ohm MINIMUM" if thats important..the amp also has a tweeter, I am new to this and could not understand how this amp with a 4ohm rating could have 2 16ohm speakers in it? I am lost, but have been trying to learn!

Would this speaker work? http://www.usspeaker.com/Delta-10B-1.htm

RickenBoogie · #2 11-06-2011, 12:55 PM

The amp is 4 ohms minimum, but the 2x10 spkrs add up to 8 ohms, leaving room to add an additional 2x10 for increased volume. Your best bet is to either re-cone the busted driver, or find an EXACT replacement from Ashdown.

jarrydee · #3 11-06-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The amp is 4 ohms minimum, but the 2x10 spkrs add up to 8 ohms, leaving room to add an additional 2x10 for increased volume. Your best bet is to either re-cone the busted driver, or find an EXACT replacement from Ashdown.

so it would be best to buy this same speaker? ok I can do that, just from reading around hear people say the blue line speakers are junk, but if thats what will work out best I will do that! Thank you very much for your help

BassmanPaul · #4 11-06-2011, 02:48 PM

I use the 2x10 format exclusively but I always use a pair. For me I'd never try to play a gig with one.

jarrydee · #5 11-06-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I use the 2x10 format exclusively but I always use a pair. For me I'd never try to play a gig with one.

I just don't know what speaker to replace these ones with! I hear the blue lines are junk, but I also don't know enough speaker manufactures to make a good decision on replacement speakers

RickenBoogie · #6 11-06-2011, 03:26 PM

Yes, exact replacement. What bassmanpaul's saying is, having only a 2x10 is NOT enough, so adding a 2x10 ext cab to your 2x10 combo will get you alot more volume, and possibly save you from blowing another speaker.

BassmanPaul · #7 11-06-2011, 03:44 PM

Exactly, thank you Rick. If you took a classic Ampeg 8x10 and put two of the drivers into a 2x10 box they would last no time at all. It's having so many low powered drivers that make the 8x10 viable as a bass amp.

billfitzmaurice · #8 11-06-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Your best bet is to either re-cone the busted driver, or find an EXACT replacement from Ashdown.

That's often true, but not in this case. The Blue Lines indeed are very weak drivers, IMO not suitable for professional use. Even Beta 10s would be a major upgrade. But also true is the fact that you can only get so much from a 2x10, especially a combo that's probably way too small to get the most out of any driver.

Quote:

If you took a classic Ampeg 8x10 and put two of the drivers into a 2x10 box they would last no time at all. It's having so many low powered drivers that make the 8x10 viable as a bass amp.

True, with the original 30 watt guitar drivers used. Not so much with the drivers they use today.

will33 · #9 11-06-2011, 11:58 PM

You need a pair of either 4ohm or 16ohm replacement 10's. That should narrow things down considerably.

You do know for sure yours is blown, not some other problem?

jarrydee · #10 11-07-2011, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

You need a pair of either 4ohm or 16ohm replacement 10's. That should narrow things down considerably.

You do know for sure yours is blown, not some other problem?

It sounds blown when I play it, I can tell it is coming from the right speaker so, I removed the grill and gave a little push on the speaker and it moved just fine with NO scratching or resistance, but this thing sounds very bad like it is blown, almost like ripped paper but I don't see any rip....WEIRD!

I wish I could get a second cab for this but I don't have 400 bucks to buy even a cheap one, trust me, if I could I would right away! I dont mean I have the money and just dont want to spend it, I am a gearslut from hell and have no problem spending money on gear, but right now I just dont have it..sold my pro tools rig and my MPC, plus a few other things this weekend just to help with X-mas, I have 4 kids that are excited about santa!!.....WOW...sorry about the long winded spew!

Warrior_Bass · #11 11-07-2011, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrydee

It sounds blown when I play it, I can tell it is coming from the right speaker so, I removed the grill and gave a little push on the speaker and it moved just fine with NO scratching or resistance, but this thing sounds very bad like it is blown, almost like ripped paper but I don't see any rip....WEIRD!

Check the wiring on the suspect speaker. Maybe you have a loose connection or a bad solder job. This could make it sound blown.

jarrydee · #12 11-07-2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior_Bass

Check the wiring on the suspect speaker. Maybe you have a loose connection or a bad solder job. This could make it sound blown.

I checked that, I think I can see metal at the end of the cone on the inside...it is hard to see but I think that is what I am seeing! If that is the case would this thing even work, because I do get bass out of it, it just sounds compressed and cracks! soeey i dont know much about this stuff

BassmanPaul · #13 11-07-2011, 09:39 AM

OP if you have a speaker guy in your area I'd take the faulty driver to them and see if there is some magik they can perform. I took an 18" CV driver to my local guy as it exhibited the same symptoms as yours. Turns out the terminal block has a poor joint that was simple to repair. Cost: zero. Worth a try at least.

jarrydee · #14 11-07-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

OP if you have a speaker guy in your area I'd take the faulty driver to them and see if there is some magik they can perform. I took an 18" CV driver to my local guy as it exhibited the same symptoms as yours. Turns out the terminal block has a poor joint that was simple to repair. Cost: zero. Worth a try at least.

Thank you very much!! I will do this ASAP, that would be great if it was the simple (even though I have no clue what you are taking about "terminal block")

jarrydee · #15 11-07-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

OP if you have a speaker guy in your area I'd take the faulty driver to them and see if there is some magik they can perform. I took an 18" CV driver to my local guy as it exhibited the same symptoms as yours. Turns out the terminal block has a poor joint that was simple to repair. Cost: zero. Worth a try at least.

Thank you very much!! I will do this ASAP, that would be great if it was the simple (even though I have no clue what you are taking about "terminal block")

If this turns out to be a bad speaker would these CELESTION TF1020's that avatar are blowing out be a good cheap choice?

jarrydee · #16 11-07-2011, 12:28 PM

since the amp says "minimum 4ohm" could I add a 4ohm 15in cab using the 2nd output on the head?

RickenBoogie · #17 11-07-2011, 12:47 PM

No, not with anything else. You could use the 4 ohm 15 alone. Adding to that would drop the load below 4 ohms.

billfitzmaurice · #18 11-07-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrydee

If this turns out to be a bad speaker would these CELESTION TF1020's that avatar are blowing out be a good cheap choice?

There's a reason why they're blowing them out cheap, and it's not because they're good bass drivers.

jarrydee · #19 11-08-2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

No, not with anything else. You could use the 4 ohm 15 alone. Adding to that would drop the load below 4 ohms.

A friend of mine had a peavey cab with a 15in black widow 4ohm speaker, it is working great! I hooked it up to the 2nd output so that is the 4 ohms on the output and there is 8ohms on the first output!

Warrior_Bass · #20 11-08-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrydee

A friend of mine had a peavey cab with a 15in black widow 4ohm speaker, it is working great! I hooked it up to the 2nd output so that is the 4 ohms on the output and there is 8ohms on the first output!

Just to reiterate, adding a 4 ohm cab to your speaker out drops your total load below 4 ohms:

1/(1/4 + 1/8) = 2.67 ohms =

The "4 ohm minimum" label includes the load of your 10" speakers in the combo. You should not run this setup anymore or you'll likely fry your amp.