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B&W Matrix 2 series 1 help

cwh

cwh

33
Got a pair on the bench needing some TLC. One of the tweeter's voicecoils is toast. Unfortunately the diaphragm is NLA. B&W support points me toward Speaker Exchange who will fit aftermarket unit on panel.
The auction site shows a used Matrix 2 tweeter but the driver is dual magnet whereas what I've got is single. I assume the VC winding is different even if physical dimensions are the same. I'm thinking this must be off a Matrix 3. The later series 2 models went to a aluminum dome.

Any ideas that can avoid sending out for complete replacement?

-Carl
 
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I'm guessing the dual magnet was for crt shielding. Never ideal to have dissimilar tweeters but there may not be much of a performance difference.
 
I used to have a pair of Matrix 3 Series 1; they weren't shielded. My wife rearranged the living room one day while I was gone, moving the speakers where SHE wanted them, and she was afraid she had somehow broken the TV.

The Series 1 was short lived enough I would doubt a mid-run change, but you never know.
 
Yeah it's weird. Was a short production run and both mine and ones online are dated '86. Guy at B&W couldn't tell me if Matrix 3 had slightly different driver. Emailed the auction listing and guy there says they're out of a Matrix 2 so?

Might just have to roll the dice and get that tweeter for the diaphragm. If so I guess I'll need need to order some ferrofluid from PE for the tweeters. Any advice on that?

I'll wait another day for more input before buying the tweeter.

Thanks for the replies
 
The service manual for the Matrix 1, 2 and 3 S1 shows different part numbers for the tweeter assemblies, but the detailed breakdown shows exactly the same parts in each assembly, so I think you're safe with any tweeter or part from the S1 family.

Are you sure it's not fixable? I was able to resolder a break on one of mine - it's not pretty but works again.

Changing the ferrofluid is easy once you've carefully removed the diaphragm. Gently clean out the residue with paper, and refill.

Service manuals: http://bwgroupsupport.com/manuals/bw-service
Owner's manuals and other stuff: http://bwgroupsupport.com/manuals/bw-archive
 
Paddy Garcia said:
The service manual for the Matrix 1, 2 and 3 S1 shows different part numbers for the tweeter assemblies, but the detailed breakdown shows exactly the same parts in each assembly, so I think you're safe with any tweeter or part from the S1 family.

Are you sure it's not fixable? I was able to resolder a break on one of mine - it's not pretty but works again.

Changing the ferrofluid is easy once you've carefully removed the diaphragm. Gently clean out the residue with paper, and refill.

Service manuals: http://bwgroupsupport.com/manuals/bw-service
Owner's manuals and other stuff: http://bwgroupsupport.com/manuals/bw-archive
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Hey PG, yeah the diaphragm is the same but I'm wondering if the voice coil has different winding due to dual magnet. Don't think a broken lead is the problem, thinking burnt vc.

Anyways I ordered the one off of the fleabay so we'll see what happens. I'll post the findings.
 
Paddy Garcia said:
Good luck! A speaker worth saving IMO.
Click to expand...
Thanks I look forward to hearing them. Oh and thanks for mentioning your repair as that led me to recheck the VC and this time it tested with resistance. So the lead that I thought I broke was (or probably was) in fact the culprit.

The replacement "dual magnet" tweeter arrived today. Had a minute, unboxed and checked the resistance. Shows 5 ohms. One I thought was toast tested 12ish ohms.
 
Put in the replacement diaphragm and set up the Matrix 2s for a listen in my workshop. First listen wasn't impressive. The unfinished space is acoustically demanding and the source is just an original Pioneer sx780 paired with a Marantz cd6004 so not ideal for the speakers to shine. These guys seem to want some watts. Funny enough, as some are probably sick of hearing, a pair of trash saved Advent Prodigy speakers sound really good in the space.

Thanks again to PG for chiming in. I went ahead and resoldered the lead and the VC tests a good 5.5 ohms. At least for me, this is why AK is cool. Helps inspire and move projects along.
 
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