fEarful owners and cabinet builders: I need your help!

[MarTONEbass]

This is my first cabinet build. About a year and a half ago I built a fEarful 15/6/1 with my dad and it's had this weird issue that I can't nail down.

If you listen to the videos, there is a distortion coming from the 18 Sound 6" midrange speaker.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sBA848S0GJE



I had Speaker Hardware build me the true crossovers. That doesn't mean there isn't something wrong with them, but on visual inspection it doesn't look like anything is broken. It definitely sounds electrical, not structural.

I have tried:

• all new cables
• different basses
• different amps
• different power outlets
  
• turning off the fluorescent in the next room

So what are my options? Should I try a new 6NM410 ? It it more likely a crossover issue? Something else?

 

[fu22ba55]

Take pictures of the crossovers and send to SpeakerHardware to double check:

They built me two crossovers, and one of them was grounding out improperly: something was touching that should not have been.

They pointed out the issue from photos, and I sorted out the issue.

 

[MarTONEbass]

Take pictures of the crossovers and send to SpeakerHardware to double check:

They built me two crossovers, and one of them was grounding out improperly: something was touching that should not have been.

They pointed out the issue from photos, and I sorted out the issue.

Great idea, thank you!

 

[MarTONEbass]

Does anyone on the day crew have any input on this one?

 

[Passinwind]

Does anyone on the day crew have any input on this one?

I can't hear any problem in your clip off hand, listening through my Sony cans. But the IME vast majority of mid driver distortion problems seem to come down to improper stuffing of the mid chamber, or incomplete sealing of the driver or wiring. The 3015LF will expose any problem with sealing right quick, seemingly wherever that problem might be.

 

[MarTONEbass]

I can't hear any problem in your clip off hand, listening through my Sony cans. But the IME vast majority of mid driver distortion problems seem to come down to improper stuffing of the mid chamber, or incomplete sealing of the driver or wiring. The 3015LF will expose any problem with sealing right quick, seemingly wherever that problem might be.

Those are definitely the areas I have been focusing on, so I'm glad I'm on the right track. The sound is most noticeable when the notes are held and then decay.

I actually just unmounted the 6" driver and I am a little surprised to say the noise seems to be coming from the 3015, not the 18Sound.

I remembered I had a screw loose....on the 3015 frame and I removed it. No change in the sound, but I will look for a larger screw to put in its place next.

Then I think I will do what the first poster said. I'm OK with the construction aspects, but the wiring and crossovers not so much.

Thanks very much!

 

[MarTONEbass]

This is my first cabinet build. About a year and a half ago I built a fEarful 15/6/1 with my dad and it's had this weird issue that I can't nail down.

If you listen to the videos, there is a distortion coming from the 18 Sound 6" midrange speaker..
>>>>>EDIT
NOPE

I actually just unmounted the 6" driver and I am a little surprised to say the noise seems to be coming from the 3015, not the 18Sound.

I remembered I had a screw loose....on the 3015 frame and I removed it. No change in the sound, but I will look for a larger screw to put in its place next.

Then I think I will do what the first poster said. I'm OK with the construction aspects, but the wiring and crossovers not so much.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sBA848S0GJE



I had Speaker Hardware build me the true crossovers. That doesn't mean there isn't something wrong with them, but on visual inspection it doesn't look like anything is broken. It definitely sounds electrical, not structural.

I have tried:

• all new cables
• different basses
• different amps
• different power outlets
  
• turning off the fluorescent in the next room

So what are my options? Should I try a new 6NM410 ? It it more likely a crossover issue? Something else?

 

[Foz]

could be one of the wire leads touching the cone

 

[Lonnybass]

Check all your wire connections and make sure everything is solid as a rock. Over-engineering is key because vibration is going to rattle loose just about everything that isn't nailed, glued and melted together in those things.

 

[MarTONEbass]

I pulled the 3015 tonight and there are definitely no wires anywhere near the speaker cone. All the connections inside look good as well. I took a bunch of pics of the crossovers, so hopefully they will find something.

The reason I am heavily leaning to an electrical rather than mechanical issue is the sound is heard at all volume levels. Playing really softly and legato, its like I have a fuzz pedal on the thing.

 

[Redbrangus]

Bypass the crossover altogether and feed a "full range" signal into the 3015 by itself. That could be a bass guitar signal. That could help isolate the problem to either the crossover or the driver itself.

 

[6thplanet]

If you had a screw missing and the resulting hole whent all the way through to the enclosure, that would make some weird noises.

 

[Dan Arciniega]

Make sure your ground connections from all speakers are secure and tight, I suggest crimp both positive and negative connectors.
I had a similar issue and I had to crimp all the spade connectors.
I also had to reflow a flow a few solder connections on the crossovers.
My cabinet was purchased used , It took a few times tracking all the issues. I removed the crossovers and inspected all solder joints with a magnifying glass, and sure enough some connections had cracked.
after the third try all was good to go.

 

[MarTONEbass]

Bypass the crossover altogether and feed a "full range" signal into the 3015 by itself. That could be a bass guitar signal. That could help isolate the problem to either the crossover or the driver itself.

This is great, I will try this ASAP.

If you had a screw missing and the resulting hole whent all the way through to the enclosure, that would make some weird noises.

Thank you, there are at least 2 holes in the cab that need attention, will do this ASAP.

Make sure your ground connections from all speakers are secure and tight, I suggest crimp both positive and negative connectors.
I had a similar issue and I had to crimp all the spade connectors.
I also had to reflow a flow a few solder connections on the crossovers.
My cabinet was purchased used , It took a few times tracking all the issues. I removed the crossovers and inspected all solder joints with a magnifying glass, and sure enough some connections had cracked.
after the third try all was good to go.

I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, but I can definitely have a closer look at the crossovers. I am dangerous with a soldering iron despite trying to be careful!

 

[CosmicRay]

Maybe visit the Greenboy site...

greenboy.us speaker enclosures

I had some issues with my F212 crossover and mid-range speaker, and reached out to Paul from Scabby Road.
Real nice guy, very helpful. I sent him the damaged crossover and blown mid-range speaker.
He repaired the crossover and sent me a replacement speaker.
I'd give him a call.....


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