Polk audio tweeter “spitty “

[J!m]

My precious monitors, that cost no less than $9 (for the pair) sound fine for the most part. But I noticed recently on some material the left tweeter seems a bit sibilant compared to the other.

Anyone have an idea? I thought perhaps the ferrofluid needs to be replaced perhaps? I’ve never done that before, but that doesn’t usually stop me…

Let’s hear your thoughts.

 

[Lazarus Short]

First, of course, switch the speakers and hear if the problem is in the amp or in the speaker.

Second, determine if the problem could be a bad crossover cap. I always suspect caps. Caps are evil.

Third, if it really bothers you, shop for a replacement tweeter.

 

[J!m]

So you’d say a cap or the tweeter is/are junk?

Would an oil change help it? I have no experience doing that…

 

[Lazarus Short]

I have no idea how to fix ferrofluid problems...

 

[NeverSatisfied]

I have always wondered about how ferrofluids were replenished, so will be watching with interest.

 

[laatsch55]

Makes two of us.....oil change in a speaker....yep, I'm there..

 

[J!m]

Ha!

I saw it on the internet, so…

They pulled the dome off, cleaned the gap, squirted new stuff in, put it back together. But I’ve not done it, and I’ve no idea if that would change things with the sound. I assume so. I was kinda hoping someone else would have experience doing it I could draw on theirs.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Need to find a cheap one and experiment, sounds like fun to me.

 

[J!m]

This one was $4.50… the fluid might cost more than the speaker did.

 

[laatsch55]

Wouldn't be the first time that price ratio was all screwed up..

 

[J!m]

Seems to be the status quo.

 

[J!m]

Well, if I swap cables and the problem follows the cable, and is not resident in the speaker, we then know it's not the speaker.

If it remains in the same speaker, regardless of connection to it, the problem is in the speaker.

Then we could dissect the crossover, and rebuild them both with fresh caps. Probably not a horrible idea anyway, but these are not that old, so not my first thought.

Do these tweeters even HAVE ferrofluid in them? That thought occurred to me today...

I have been ignoring this problem continuously since I noticed it.

 

[laatsch55]

Once again D3 you have given folks a lot to think about....appreciate it...

Having at least 2 bad 2" mid drivers I have been trying o decide how to duplicate the "scratchiness" I have heard at certain volumes and frequencies...you've given me some ideas....

 

[NeverSatisfied]

3D, love the way your mind works man. I try and try to teach my young operators to have “a troubleshooting process “ but very few get it. It should be a high school requirement and the whole world would benefit.

 

[J!m]

For the mid drivers, try turning them upside down and see if it stops.

Some older speakers can “sag” with age and a flip can fix ‘em.

 

[laatsch55]

Not these Jim, no sag in this material...

 

[laatsch55]

The AP ATS-1DD allows me to do all of that...