Reduced output from speaker cab?

JoshuaTSP · #1 04-03-2011, 01:15 PM

I've been using a 2x15 SWR cab with Emi Kappalites for the last year or so.

It's been pretty reliable.

Last practice, I fired up my amp and it was fine for the first 1 min or so.....but then it crackled and lost output.

I checked my cables and such.....nope.......tried the amp through a different cab....it was fine. So it had to be the cab.

I opened the cab up, checked the connections and disconnected the crossover and tweeter. I checked the speakers too, then move in and out easily.....no crunchy noises.

The cab makes clear sound (maybe a bit thin), but is substantially quieter than it should be.

Any idea what this could be?

Luckily, the band is on a short break....after our tour....need a fix or a new cab by the 20th of this month.

dukeisdog · #2 04-03-2011, 01:21 PM

I cant help, but it's a good thing this happened now, rather then when you're out on tour. What's your budget for a new cab?

JoshuaTSP · #3 04-03-2011, 01:24 PM

On tour, I used a Carvin 8x10.....which was pretty good.

I mostly need something that's 4 ohms and can handle being using in a loud rock band.
We tune to C standard....so kind of downtuned.

I don't think I'd like to spend more than $800.

a pair of 4x10s would be cool or a pair of 2x12s or something like that.....

Bassmec · #4 04-03-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

I've been using a 2x15 SWR cab with Emi Kappalites for the last year or so.

It's been pretty reliable.

Last practice, I fired up my amp and it was fine for the first 1 min or so.....but then it crackled and lost output.

I checked my cables and such.....nope.......tried the amp through a different cab....it was fine. So it had to be the cab.

I opened the cab up, checked the connections and disconnected the crossover and tweeter. I checked the speakers too, then move in and out easily.....no crunchy noises.
The cab makes clear sound (maybe a bit thin), but is substantially quieter than it should be.

Any idea what this could be?

Luckily, the band is on a short break....after our tour....need a fix or a new cab by the 20th of this month.

I would use a nine volt battery on the speakers input socket to make sure they both still work.

JoshuaTSP · #5 04-03-2011, 01:33 PM

I'll check that out....thanks!

Could be a speaker lead wire loose or busted?

**lowfreqgeek** · #6 04-03-2011, 01:41 PM

I once had a Goliath Jr II that suddenly started sounding like it had a blown speaker. I pulled it apart and found that one of the wires connecting the offending driver had somehow slipped within the spring post to a point where it was making intermittent contact. I reset it and the weirdness went away and never came back. I pushed that cabinet pretty hard with no issues after that.

So check all the connections on each speaker, as well.

Electricblue · #7 04-03-2011, 01:41 PM

Are the speakers wired in parrallel or series? Try them individually to see if they both work. If they are in series, one could be shorting, making your amp see a lower impedance. If they are in parallel, one might just be fried.

JoshuaTSP · #8 04-03-2011, 01:50 PM

I checked the connections and actually reset them all.

The speakers are wired in parallel (2 8ohm speakers for a 4ohm load).

JimmyM · #9 04-03-2011, 01:53 PM

nothing wrong with the jack?

Electricblue · #10 04-03-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

I checked the connections and actually reset them all.

The speakers are wired in parallel (2 8ohm speakers for a 4ohm load).

Disconnect and use them one at a time, best place to start.

BassmanPaul · #11 04-03-2011, 02:05 PM

As Bassmec opined the place to start is with the battery test. Make sure both move in the same direction. Usually with the positive battery terminal on the tip or +1 connection the cones will move away from the magnet structure.

Bass_Pounder · #12 04-03-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electricblue

Are the speakers wired in parrallel or series? Try them individually to see if they both work. If they are in series, one could be shorting, making your amp see a lower impedance. If they are in parallel, one might just be fried.

If they were wired in series and one was bad, neither would work anymore.

BassmanPaul · #13 04-03-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

If they were wired in series and one was bad, neither would work anymore.

Not if one was shorting which is what ElectricBlue was talking about.

Bass_Pounder · #14 04-03-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Not if one was shorting which is what ElectricBlue was talking about.

Really, I always understood it that in a series circuit, if one part fails it becomes an open circuit.

BassmanPaul · #15 04-03-2011, 02:27 PM

Not all series failures result in an open circuit. Layers of the voice coil can burn off their insulation allowing a short.

JoshuaTSP · #16 04-04-2011, 08:12 AM

I have yet to test the speakers individually....but I was preemptively wondering if you can combine ceramic and neo speakers in the same cab?

Just in case one of my neo's is fried, I have a spare ceramic.

4Mal · #17 04-04-2011, 09:44 AM

Yeah, you can do that. You may or may not like the results. What cab is it anyway? Normally I'm all over light weight but if you're used to carting a ceramic 8x10, a 2x15 ought to feel like a holiday

. Maybe just reload the stock drivers ?

JoshuaTSP · #18 04-04-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Yeah, you can do that. You may or may not like the results. What cab is it anyway? Normally I'm all over light weight but if you're used to carting a ceramic 8x10, a 2x15 ought to feel like a holiday

. Maybe just reload the stock drivers ?

It's a SWR 2x15.

I blew one of the original speakers, and as a result purchased (2) new Kappalites for it. Now I'm having issues again.

Going from the stock ceramic to neo speakers was a delight. wow.

Weight really isn't an issue.

I just want something durable and reliable.

Which is why I'm looking to go to a pair of cabs or more speaker area in general.

BassmanPaul · #19 04-04-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

It's a SWR 2x15.

I blew one of the original speakers, and as a result purchased (2) new Kappalites for it. Now I'm having issues again.

Going from the stock ceramic to neo speakers was a delight. wow.

Weight really isn't an issue.

I just want something durable and reliable.

Which is why I'm looking to go to a pair of cabs or more speaker area in general.

Did you check if the Kappalites would actually work in that cabinet???

JoshuaTSP · #20 04-04-2011, 11:22 AM

I posted it here and was told they'd be fine.