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Speaker makes funny sound when lifted

TedNeu

TedNeu

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
So, today my used B&W 685's came in the mail. They were described as "mint" and look and sound perfect, as far as I can tell.

But the contents of one speaker rattle. I can hear the contents (loose crossover?) moving around when I lift it and move it. The other speaker is rock solid?

Two small pieces of white plastic came out of the front port.

What do you guys think?
 
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goodolpg said:
I think you need to visually inspect the crossover and see if something is broken or loose.
Click to expand...

I guess I will have to do that...but I really didn't want to open my new speakers. Is it possible that it is loose but it just is of no consequence?
 
I picked up a pair of speakers recently, got them home and when I was going to hook them up I noticed something rattling about in one of them. I popped it open and the magnet on one of the tweeters had come loose.

Were yours packed sufficiently? if you bought them of the auction site you might want to contact the seller and find out if they were like these prior to purchase if not then I would open a claim with the shipping agent stating damage to the item.

Shipping items this time of year is a dicey proposition as most of the carriers are swamped and on top of that they hire a lot of season workers who could give a f&%k about proper handling of packages.
 
No, not any toys, not this time. I had that happen before on my Phase Technologies!
 
Dealing with the shipping company on a claim sounds like a major waste of time...maybe if they were much more expensive. I feel like I got a good deal at around four bills for these speakers. I am listening intently and can't hear any problems. I did write to the seller on Ebay. I acknowledged they look/sound perfect but told him the issue. We will see what he says....

I shouldn't call it a rattle....that would suggest a toy. It is more a wholesale shifting of a large portion of contents....ker-plunk.
 
TedNeu said:
Two small pieces of white plastic came out of the front port.
Click to expand...

Hopefully this internal picture helps as to give you an idea what the white plastic is.

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TedNeu said:
Dealing with the shipping company on a claim sounds like a major waste of time...maybe if they were much more expensive. I feel like I got a good deal at around four bills for these speakers. I am listening intently and can't hear any problems. I did write to the seller on Ebay. I acknowledged they look/sound perfect but told him the issue. We will see what he says....

I shouldn't call it a rattle....that would suggest a toy. It is more a wholesale shifting of a large portion of contents....ker-plunk.
Click to expand...

My bad, I meant to say the seller would open a claim and deal with the shipping company.
 
Dswankey said:
Hopefully this internal picture helps as to give you an idea what the white plastic is.

index.php
Click to expand...
I appreciate you posting that Mr. Swankey, but I cannot really tell. I'm guessing it is something that binds the crossover to the wood...but I won't know until I open it up...
 
TedNeu said:
I guess I will have to do that...but I really didn't want to open my new speakers. Is it possible that it is loose but it just is of no consequence?
Click to expand...


I understand not wanting to open it up, especially if you are considering returning them.
My first thought was some inductors (old ones I've seen) have white plastic cores and I have seen parts of them break off but your B&W's are pretty new.
Looking at the expanded view posted by dswankey it's kind of a miracle you got anything to come out the port if it goes as far into the cabinet as it looks.
If they came from a home with children it's possible a child put something in the ports.

If you were to try to check the crossover it appears there is a trim ring around the woofer, rather than possibly damage that during removal (or it might come off nicely, who knows?) it appears the crossover is held in with 4 screws and *may* be a better way to inspect though how far it can be removed may be limited by the wiring.

darkblue94 has a good idea, maybe if we see what came out we can make a better guess.
 
The whole crossover is mounted to the binding post plate and can be removed from the rear. I would pull that and see what's amiss...
 

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HyKlas said:
The whole crossover is mounted to the binding post plate and can be removed from the rear. I would pull that and see what's amiss...
Click to expand...

I wonder if it was pieces of one of the zip ties?
That's the only "white plastic" I see as far as the crossover is concerned.
Maybe there is more left inside and that's what the OP is hearing?
 
It there is any chance at all that you will ask the seller for a refund or price reduction, I suggest asking for their approval before opening the speaker.

If you have no plans to go back to the seller for anything then I'd say dig in to satisfy the curiosity.
 
Ask before opening for sure but I'll bet the zip ties broke and your inductor is bouncing around. A good jolt in shipping would do that no problem, looks like a heavy unit.
 
goodolpg said:
If they came from a home with children it's possible a child put something in the ports.
Click to expand...

The OP mentions the sound fine so maybe you're on to something here. Now I'm curious to find out what is actually in there, here's hoping the OP can share once he figures it out.
 
HyKlas said:
Ask before opening for sure but I'll bet the zip ties broke and your inductor is bouncing around. A good jolt in shipping would do that no problem, looks like a heavy unit.
Click to expand...

That just hit me a few minutes ago, was going to post it and saw you beat me to it.
Broken zip tie inside might make a weak little sound at best but if it's a clunky sound it very well could be the inductor.
 
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