Skytec 15" Active PA Speaker.

[Cailum]

Hello all.

I have a Skytec 15" and 1" Active PA Speaker, 1500w Advertised Peak Power.

Ive noticed that at a high volume the woofer (mainly) makes a crackle sound like a loose cable or something alike, I run this speaker with the level on maximum and the power at about 1/2 - 2/3, inbetween those two is where the crackle occurs, so far I havent taken the driver out and the amplifier unit as well to inspect.

I can't see any obvious fault or corrosion on any of the variable resistors (Volume and level control) And I haven't found any loose cables, I have replaced the cables that run to the low woofer with cables with a thicker insulation and still having the same issues.

The only other lead I have is when I push on the cone It has a slightly rough feel to it, but when I push on the dust cap/cover in the center of the driver (providing equal pressure all around the cone) it doesn't have the same rough feel and moves freely.

Any ideas on where to go next would be awesome as Skytec have next to no online help with repairing these units.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dazaa]

Throw it out and buy new ones, seriously, this is the lowest end chinese crap that isn't designed to be repaired.

 

[petehall347]

dust cover might be loose ..

 

[bowtie427ss]

Could be clipping artifacts from the cheezy 70 watt(on a good day) chip amp. Could be fractured/dry solder joints, or other poor/loose connections excited by cabinet resonance.

As has already been mentioned, you are dealing with some very low end and low quality gear. That it's performance is less than spectacular when pushed anywhere close to it's ratings should come as no surprise.

Given the control settings you mention and the sound you hear, it is very likely the amplifier is being overdriven.

"1500w advertised peak power" is a bullshit line aimed at uninformed consumers, and it has effectively helped flood the low end of the market with this kind of crap.

 

[Gazdatronik]

I'd disconnect the amp and get a better one. The speaker itself might behave ok with a little more power. Just move the wires so you can use the cabinet as a cabinet, put a 1/4" input on it. Then get one of those mixer amps such as like this:

Use it as you would the onboard amp, I bet it would work out great.

 

[schnitzle]

I heard something very similar when I was at the carnival parade this year.
No bass, very little punch even considering, mid blare, high-ish distortion.
I was impressed by the spl though. I was close to the cars, but they're very high. The level was pain inducing. (When in the beam and they did use 4 or 6 per car.)

Edit:

Looking closer it seems I am wrong and these farmers like to put rcf art speakers on their rigs.

https://ibb.co/hCP0YR

 

[Cailum]

Could be clipping artifacts from the cheezy 70 watt(on a good day) chip amp. Could be fractured/dry solder joints, or other poor/loose connections excited by cabinet resonance.

As has already been mentioned, you are dealing with some very low end and low quality gear. That it's performance is less than spectacular when pushed anywhere close to it's ratings should come as no surprise.

Given the control settings you mention and the sound you hear, it is very likely the amplifier is being overdriven.

"1500w advertised peak power" is a bullshit line aimed at uninformed consumers, and it has effectively helped flood the low end of the market with this kind of crap.

Yeah I definitely get where youre coming from mate, I bought some skytecs a long time ago and they were recently stolen from a party (Blessing in disguise) The one I am doing now is a repair job for a friend. I am aware of the absolute rubbish amps they put in these machines which is why I said "advertised" as I have a 1000w power amp that would quite literally blow the drivers to pieces haha.. (AT-M10008) Was just looking for any other ideas to try out before telling my friend it is not worth repairing. Thanks for your insight I think next I will try replacing all the other power wires and see if it makes any difference.

 

[Cailum]

I'd disconnect the amp and get a better one. The speaker itself might behave ok with a little more power. Just move the wires so you can use the cabinet as a cabinet, put a 1/4" input on it. Then get one of those mixer amps such as like this:

Use it as you would the onboard amp, I bet it would work out great.

Awesome idea, thankyou mate! I will recommend my client get an external amplifier after making sure that the driver is not to fault.

 

[Gazdatronik]

Awesome idea, thankyou mate! I will recommend my client get an external amplifier after making sure that the driver is not to fault.

Even if one of the drivers is hosed, Im sure a new driver could be sourced for cheap from parts express.