Reseal a speaker?

[k2aggie07]

I recently bought a used 115 ABM compact cab. There's a ticking / buzzing sound coming from the speaker (front mount). Here's what I've done so far:

• remove grill
• remove handles
• check for wires touching the cone
• check for tightness of speaker screws
• gently cycle the cone to check for scratchiness - none
• visually inspect the surround and cone for damage or tears

The ticking sound can be halted by pressing firmly in an area about halfway between two of the speaker mounting screws. I'm thinking I just need to reseal the speaker, but I'm not sure of the best way to do it.

The wire leads are soldered onto the speaker terminals and the other ends are glued to a box going to the back panel. Actually removing the speaker would require me removing and resoldering those. Would a thin bead of caulk or RTV between the rim of the speaker frame and the baffle do the trick? Or am I better of completely pulling the speaker out?

Thank you for the help in advance.

[will33]

I'd pull it and see if it needs some weatherstripping/gasket tape on the seal. See that the frame isn't cracked and check the seams closer where the surround meets the edge and where surround meets cone. It's hard to see a bad seam sometimes without taking a fingernail or something and try to gently separate it. Superglue works good on the seams.

[B-string]

I would place bets that is the sound board (front panel) that is vibrating. Lay the cab on the side that you touch to make it stop, from inside run a good bead of wood glue and let it sit overnight. Put it back together the next day and retest.

[k2aggie07]

Well, I learned something new today. For one, the silicone didn't work - that wasn't the problem apparently. For two, the speaker tech said that cycling the cone backwards will only show you MAJOR problems with the voice coil, as under normal operation the speaker moves forward, not backwards. (Seems obvious in retrospect).

Anyway...dropping it off today for repairs by someone competent.

[craig.p]

Originally Posted by k2aggie07

...the speaker tech said that cycling the cone backwards will only show you MAJOR problems with the voice coil, as under normal operation the speaker moves forward, not backwards.

Bill F, we need one of your Star Trek head-shaker GIFs here, whenever you get the chance.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by craig.p

Bill F, we need one of your Star Trek head-shaker GIFs here, whenever you get the chance.

OP, a driver cone moves both backward and forward, in equal increments. I would not take your cab to any so-called speaker tech who says otherwise. Clueless he is.

[skychief]

Agree with above post. The voice coil of a speaker moves in direct relation to the (sine-wave) signal input. The + and - voltages of signal = in & out excursion of voice coil. Kinda getting off-topic, but either you misunderstood the speaker tech or he needs some schoolin on how a speaker operates. Anyway i hope you can get your cab fixed. Buzzing & rattles from a cab can really get annoying.

[Rafael]

At the risk of beating a dead horse, while the tech may be wrong as to the issue of which direction the cone moves, there is a kernel of truth there: One very common issue with speakers is if the voice coil bottoms out on the magnet assembly, which will deform the voice coil, and it only causes noise as it moves outward and hits something.