NAD!!!! Avatar content - Page 2

wshines1892 · #21 12-31-2012, 12:58 PM

Small update for those still tuning in, I managed to catch someone at avatar who just so happened to be in and he recommended popping out the driver and connecting it to a stereo and play some music through it, not at high volume obviously, and listen for the crackles. U2 came through crystal clear, if lacking some low end.

It's the same problem of it seems to just start farting around low A when it gets up to a certain volume. Middle and upper register are crystal clear. It's like some low frequencies are being sent to it.

I'll be ordering the part on Wednesday and hopefully this will be the last of my troubles.

wshines1892 · #22 01-02-2013, 01:29 PM

Called today and they sold me an entire crossover and input unit fully assembled for $59 being built from scratch. Fantastic customer service! All I'll have to do is slip the connectors off the speakers, undo some screws and drop it in.

lokikallas · #23 01-02-2013, 08:00 PM

The crossover seems to be the weak link in this cab. I've had no problems but at least there is a cheap fix available. I'll have to watch and make sure the replacements remain available.

wshines1892 · #24 01-02-2013, 10:25 PM

From what the guy on the phone told me they are made to order in house, so I wouldn't imagine they'd stop offering to make them. Hopefully using two, and me being rather conservative with stage volume, I won't have to worry too much about it going out on me.

I'll be sure to update with photos of the installation and what all they send me for anyone else experiencing this issue. Should be about a week allowing time to make and ship it.

ErnieD · #25 01-02-2013, 11:43 PM

Guess I need to call Avatar this week too.

There is a long, older TB153 thread where some posted pics of the old and new Xovers in these cabs. Many felt the newer one's looked better, cleaner assembled. When I called just to ask about the older xover in my cab back in 2011, I was told by someone at Avatar that the new xover will not offer any better sound over the old xover.

But if it fixes my issue, then that's what I want. Still have not taken time to open my cab up and see what I find. Not sure I have a stereo that I can hook up the 6" driver to check. Any other options to check this driver to see if its' faulty?

Sure seems like it turned out to be the old xover and not the driver in most all TB153 fixes I've read here. ws....1892, pls do follow up. thanks.

wshines1892 · #26 01-03-2013, 05:25 AM

Well the most telling test for me would have been while I had it in. No matter how hard I pushed it, so long as I wasn't playing in a low register it was perfectly clear, it was just the low frequencies that caused the crackling like some low frequencies were bleeding over or something.

I figured if it were blown, it wouldn't have only been blown on low notes. I'll be sure to take pics of the old and new one to see if There's a difference.

ErnieD · #27 01-03-2013, 03:18 PM

Mine made massive distortions in the low notes but mainly at louder volumes when I was checking it out at my gig that nite. I was able to play the upper register at med volumes. When I tried to resume the gig at lower volume, I was not in the PA and once turned up, the distortion was there again.

So I just called my local speaker repair center, used them since back in early 1970's and he still stays busy and open for business. I told him, I could get a xover from Avatar for about 60 bucks and what he'd charge me to install it. Don't like fiddlin with my cabs internals much. He did ask if I was sure the 6" mid was good or not. I told him I was not sure.

He said, aww just bring it in, I can build you a new xover for 40 bucks and I'll check to see if the mid driver is still good or not. Pretty sure my cabs not under warranty since I bought it new in summer of 2011. And when this guy has fixed other cabs for me, he always says, its gonna be better than new when I'm done. Not sure about that, but he does do good work and I've never had to return for him to re-repair any of my cab issues from years back.

So we'll see what he can do. ws...1892, pls do still post your final repair outcome, just so others may know how it all turned out. I'll do the same. Gona drop off my cab either this Friday or on Monday. He usually gets em back to me in about 6-7 days and at a reasonable cost. Peace, ernie

NWB · #28 01-03-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wshines1892

Well the most telling test for me would have been while I had it in. No matter how hard I pushed it, so long as I wasn't playing in a low register it was perfectly clear, it was just the low frequencies that caused the crackling like some low frequencies were bleeding over or something.

I figured if it were blown, it wouldn't have only been blown on low notes. I'll be sure to take pics of the old and new one to see if There's a difference.

It sounds to me like there may be too much low-end content being sent to the mid-driver. A new X-over should fix that.

I replaced the X-over in my TB153 and it's been a champ since then. It was very easy to do although I did have to redrill the mounting since the new X-over was larger than the old one.

Yes, Avatar has great customer service!!

ErnieD · #29 01-03-2013, 07:30 PM

NWB said: "It sounds to me like there may be too much low-end content being sent to the mid-driver. A new X-over should fix that."
"I replaced the X-over in my TB153 and it's been a champ since then."

Hey NWB, was that the original, older xover in your TB153? And did they send you the newer/cleaner designed/assembled xover for your cab?

Just wondering cause I'm hoping its not such a specialized xover that my repair dude can't reproduce. I know, he knows his stuff but any reason why I should go specifically with Avatar's xover instead? I'll call Dave tomorrow and see what they say. Updates coming when I'm done. Dying to put this cab back into my cab rotation; tho it usually got first call to my different bands gigs.

lokikallas · #30 01-03-2013, 09:17 PM

Any one can make a crossover. I think it's just some caps and inducters on a little breadboard all expoxied up. Just make sure he doesn't cheap out on parts.

ErnieD · #31 01-03-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lokikallas

Any one can make a crossover. I think it's just some caps and inducters on a little breadboard all expoxied up. Just make sure he doesn't cheap out on parts.

When I asked my repairman if he'd heard of Avatar cabs, he said yes. When I described what my TB153 cab driver layout was and the issue I think I'm having. He said, "yeah, they prolly used some cheap, small chinese, mid and tweet in it". Or he said something like that. Whatever, I don't want him messing with great 15" LF driver.

Not sure what that means he plans to use for parts. But if its just the xover, again, he said he could build one for me, cheaper and better. He's been building/repairing music equipment for many years so I trust he'll do a good job. I'll discuss it with him more when I drop the cab off.

I don't really want to drop a load of money on expensive parts in this already very nice cab. But if he can make it "better"; nothing wrong with that. We'll see what he suggests once I'm there. Even if he just gets it to its' former working condition, I'm good with that. NOW, I always turn the tweeter down very low in this cab. Any reason I should not tell him just to disconnect the tweeter? Or me just dialing it down to almost always off OK? Any heat buildup issues with that method? It'd be just a 15/6 then.

vishuddha · #32 01-04-2013, 12:09 AM

"Couldn't be happier" "One of them seems to have a crackle in the mid driver"

I mean, you COULD'VE been happier... hahah.

fremaochris · #33 01-04-2013, 01:23 AM

That was a steal. Even if the mid driver itself is blown its still a steal if that is all you need to fix.

KrisHayes · #34 01-04-2013, 09:33 AM

Damn. What a deal. That's gonna throw a lotta air too! Enjoy.

NWB · #35 01-04-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieD

Hey NWB, was that the original, older xover in your TB153? And did they send you the newer/cleaner designed/assembled xover for your cab?

Ernie, it was the older original crossover and they sent me the larger updated one. Your tech should be able to make you a very nice crossover I would think.

Several folks have updated the mid-driver on this cab with very good results.

lokikallas · #36 01-05-2013, 12:25 PM

If you check out the tb153 owners club thread you can see a lot of people hot rod or mod this cabinet with different mid and tweet options. Also useful are the Nearful threads as this design is a branch of that. I personally am happy with the parts. If I ever need to upgrade the x over I will, NBD. It is not cheap parts, but mid grade parts that keep it reasonably priced.

ErnieD · #37 01-05-2013, 07:22 PM

lokikallas: "It is not cheap parts, but mid grade parts that keep it reasonably priced."

But you know some of these older, "ol skool" builders are like..."if it aint US made its Crap"

Just wondered if I could, nay should, have my TB153 modded/hotrodded while he had it in his shop. I see now, I could prolly do lots to it.

But again, if he can get me back to where I was before without laying out boo-koo-bucks, I'll be happy with that.
Peace y'all. e.

wshines1892 · #38 01-06-2013, 03:12 PM

Darn all of you and putting these thoughts in my head! I thought my GAS was cured!

ErnieD · #39 01-06-2013, 04:57 PM

Yeah, I was thinking while he has it open, maybe consider a mid driver upgrade, def a better xover, etc.

But not really trying to remake this into a fEarful or whatever. I think the cost could get outta hand, not sure. So if it just needs a new xover and I can get my cab back in a week or so. Done.

But I will def discuss those other options when I drop it off tomorrow morning. Couldn't hurt.......famous last words.

ErnieD · #40 01-06-2013, 05:00 PM

Any reason I should know the original specs of my TB153 cab to tell the repair-dude before he gets his hands on it? Or should any experienced speaker repair-er know his way around the inside of most any cab?

I'd prolly have to call Dave to ask what those specs are, I think. Don't think I saw them detailed on the Avatar site.

Thanks all. e.