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B&W 801D trouble

Hello

I managed to blow up both tweeters on my 801D speakers and have a set on order which is on back order arriving next month. Now when I play music the sound on the midrange on both speakers are extremly distorted and muffled. When I crank up the volume pass the half way point the sound gets clear on midrange speakers but gets distorted again after 10-15 seconds.  When I use the headphone on the pre amp the sound is crisp clear.

Since the crossover for HF/MF for 801D is on the same circuit on the  will the midrange sound be effected this bad? How could I tell if perhaps the crossovers on both speakers are damaged? any other troubleshooting guide is appreciated.

BTW, I have eliminated the Audio equipment as with the headphone the sound is perfect so it is the speakers.

Thanks for your reply
silverrules
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Check crossovers for sure, probably a burnt coil, or cap.

 The memories you gave me with this message.....ouch.
I totally feel it.

 Repair, and get back on track, and remember, “booze does enable a little more volume” fight the impulse !,     :)

 best of luck on the repair, and getting back to rocking out.

p.s. Your speakers are simply amazing! 

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
Has this happened before?  If so, you might want to reconsider your listening habits.  That or keep a batch of replacement tweeters in your closet.
silverrules OP
4 posts
 
Thanks Arc. Yes, booz does it. Will replace the crossover and the tweeters but I am pretty sure one of the Amps has problem as well and possibly cause of some of these issues. Amp tripping could cause the tweeters to blow. no?

I have an old $600 pair of speakers in working condition so I decided to check and make sure the Amp's are OK. What I found out is the right Amp that has blown 3 tweeters previously gets extra hot at volume level set around 10 o'clock mark and keeps the Amp in cooling mode with no sound until it cools off. This maybe the cause of some of the 4 blow up tweeters on the right channel. The other Amp is nice and cool and fans are not working as hard as the right channel. What could cause one Amp to get hot and shut off but not the other? The left channel so far has blown only one tweeter vs the right channel 4 tweeters. Getting closer!!!!
onhwy, 5 tweeters so far, I have 2 more domes on order and will be ordering 2 more just incase. They have 4 week lead time now.
erik_squires
16,058 posts
 
Stop using your speakers until the tweets arrive.

If you remove a driver from the crossover or short it it has very weird effects on the impedance curve which could be amp damaging or blow a crossover component. I know this is weird, but I’ve done this a few times in simulations

Just leave the speakers off until repaired.
silverrules OP
4 posts
 
Thanks Erik. That is exactly what my Audio expert said and I have stopped using the speakers until the tweeters arrive. What I am concerned with is that the crossover is already damaged and will blow up the new tweeters. How to tell if the crossover is damaged? Take a chance and plug the tweeters and leave the crossover alone? Thanks
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