Mick83 Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 GreetingsI am by no means an audiophile. I have a pair of large Advent speakers that I bought in 1977 or 1978 on the advice of a friend who was an audiophile. I have the utility boxes, not the real wood. I have been listening to them ever since. About ten years ago, I replaced the woofers, if I recall correctly. The foam was shot and I didn't know any better so I replaced the whole woofers. Anyway, of late it seems the speakers don't sound so good. I don't know how to describe it except to say that they sound like AM. No real life. I understand it's hard to dianose the problem based on the information I've provided, without hearing or examining the speakers, but any ideas? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironlake Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 check the tweeter output. put the rear switch on extend and listen to the tweeter with a toilet paper tube on the tweeter with ear on other side. you should have strong output if not these may be burned out and would give the lifeless am sound from the woofers only. If they are burned out the red of the tweeters should be very dark from heat buildup. otherwise you crossover caps may be bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks. I tried the toilet paper deal and did not hear much from the woofers.They looked ok, though, not real dark, but I don't examine them often.Crossover caps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironlake Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 You mean tweeters, not woofers. I would guess either burned out tweeters or xover caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Yes tweeters, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 You mean tweeters, not woofers. The little speakers, not the big speakers If you are getting SOME sound from the tweets that may be a good sign. In any case, the caps should be replaced. I just did a pair of OLA Utilities last week--foam and caps. They sound good.Maybe try pulling the suspect tweet and run your amp straight into it at LOW volume with music that does not have thundering low notes. Many advise against this but I have never destroyed a driver running it straight at low volume. Is it BOTH tweeters that seem weak? How is the woofer output? I would probably test all 4 drivers out of the box and see if there seems to be a dud.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I did the tp roll deal again. This time I adjusted the bass on my receiver to -10 and increased the treble to +10.I don't think I heard anything out of either tweeter. And Jon Anderson was singing .When I find time I'll test each speaker individually.What's a crossover cap, how do I replace them, and where do I get them??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 What's a crossover cap, how do I replace them, and where do I get them???Take a look at this thread: http://www.classicsp...?showtopic=6623 It rambles a bit but you will get the idea. There is a link there to Pete's excellent Advent crossover page. Once the speakers are open (remove the woofer then remove the blocks of foam stuffing) you will see the crossover. There will be a few things in there: A switch, a resistor, a couple of inductors and a couple of capacitors. The capacitors are the gray (or black) cylinders that have a wire emerging from each end. If you have the NEW large Advent you'll have 2 resistors and one capacitor. Most people here get "film" caps from Parts Express, Madisound or Erse. We can discuss that once you know what you need.So... First things first. Check all those drivers. If the tweeters are both dead, you will need to replace them and you don't "have" to replace the caps, although most of us here probably think it's a good idea. The original caps are "non-polar electrolytic" and have a life expectancy of 15, 20, maybe even 30 years, sometimes more. But yours have reached the end of their expected lifespan. Film caps will last longer than the drivers themselves.Good luck.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I took both tweeters out of the boxes and listened to each one up at my ears. Nothing from either one.I disconnected one of them and hooked the speaker wires directly. Nothing.The woofers seem to be working ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Do your tweeters look like this? I have 2 spares (I think). If you would like to buy them send me a PM and we can discuss. There are several for sale on eBay, too.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynaco_dan Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Do your tweeters look like this? I have 2 spares (I think). If you would like to buy them send me a PM and we can discuss. There are several for sale on eBay, too.KentHi KentI don't know what's happened to this site but there certainly is some very sharp and clear photos being posted here.Perhaps HD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Kent the stuff in that thread you recommended was way over my head.My tweeters kinda look like that but they are mounted in the speaker box straight up and down/straight across, not pointed up and down and left and right like those in the pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Kent the stuff in that thread you recommended was way over my head.My tweeters kinda look like that but they are mounted in the speaker box straight up and down/straight across, not pointed up and down and left and right like those in the pic.Sorry. It's not that hard. Probably gave you TMI.Can you post a snapshot of your tweeter? Also, either a photo of the back plate or just write down exactly what it says. OR: Here is a thread that is NOT technical. Do you have the "New Advent" as pictured in post #2?http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=126376 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 I could not view the photos in that link, apparently because I am not registered there. I tried to register but failed so far. I would like to view that thread so I will again attempt to register. Meanwhile, the back of my speakers says The Advent Loudspeaker, one says U362601 and the other says U362565, Advent Corp, Cambridge, MA. Also I expanded your photo and gave it a second look, and my tweeters are not the same.Thanks for all your help by the way. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Is this your speaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Wth those serial numbers, he's got New Advents and they have the new tweeters with the flush-mounted cones. Same basic troubleshooting, though.Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Is this your speaker?Yup that's them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 There is a pair of what I "think" are the right tweeters for sale on ebay for $50/pr here: http://www.ebay.com/...=item43ad57a630Probably a fair price. You may do better by putting a free ad in our For Sale/Wanted section here: http://www.classicsp...hp?showforum=10Maybe try sending a PM to member Carl (Carlspeak). When I needed an Advent tweeter I bought a nice one from him. It's very possible others here may have some.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 OK I ordered those tweeters. "Most people here get "fim" caps from Parts Express, Madisound or Erse. We can discuss that once you know what you need."I guess that's next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Sorry--that's FILMHere is the Erse sitehttp://www.erseaudio...ucts/CapacitorsThe PulseX are their highest quality. The PeX are very good and they are economical. You can't go wrong with either.I've never been inside the NLA but according to Pete's website: http://baselaudiolab.com/ADVENT_LA_XO.html you need one 13uF cap per speaker. That's a bit of an odd value. Erse makes PeX in 13uf but you have to buy 500. Just get a 12 and a 1 and wire in parallel. May as well get the PulseX: http://www.erseaudio.com/Products/PulseXAll/MPX25-03-13-00Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Kent I did not see your email about the member selling the tweeter until today. Might still buy it as a spare.I thought the tweeters might be here today but not yet. I held off from buying the crossover caps"PulseX: http://www.erseaudio.../MPX25-03-13-00" you recommended, only because I had to buy 5 to meet the minimum order, but I think I'm going ahead with the purchase anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 If you do PM the other member and decide to buy the spare, ask him if he has the caps you need.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 15, 2012 Report Share Posted March 15, 2012 Kent I did not see your email about the member selling the tweeter until today. Might still buy it as a spare.I thought the tweeters might be here today but not yet. I held off from buying the crossover caps"PulseX: http://www.erseaudio.../MPX25-03-13-00" you recommended, only because I had to buy 5 to meet the minimum order, but I think I'm going ahead with the purchase anyway.Check your messages. He did reply to you.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick83 Posted March 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 Yes sir he did, thanks. I'm short on $ right now but will buy it from him as a spare if he still has it in a few weeks.I put the "new" tweeters in the boxes and I'm back in business. Thanks to all for your help.Couple follow ups. Are the nonfunctioning tweeters repairable or of any use to anyone?Should I still replace the crossover capacitors? I'm reluctant to fix what's not broken, not to mention taking on a task I'm not sure I'm capable of performing. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted March 16, 2012 Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 Great! Glad they're up and running.I tried to sell a dead Advent tweeter and had no takers, so I'm guessing they are junk.I'm a big fan of new caps. Electrolytics have a finite lifespan (20 years? 30?) But if the speakers sound good and you are not sure about your soldering skill.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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