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Woofer replacement

ArkyCD

ArkyCD

New Member
Hello, new to the forum and learning as I go (slowly). I have a set of EPI TE 100's that have served me well....but recently one woofer suddenly started making a loud vibration sound.....im assuming its blown but not sure how to confirm.. if so, any recommendation on an after market replacement woofer? Or should I try to find an original ? I certainly want to maintain the smooth warm sound I've gotten used to from these speakers. Thanks in advance for the feedback!
 
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Welcome to AK Arky.
not sure of your knowledge on all of this stuff, but what is the condition of the woofer surround? The 1/2 round ring around the very edge?
 
Thanks Drugolf!
I actually replaced the surround a few months back (after watching numerous videos on how to do it!, ha). It has no rips and not pulling away anywhere. I also tested by pushing in and out on the cone.....didnt make any rubbing sounds. I dont have an OHM meter.....would that be the next step? Thanks again for the quick response.
 
I'm assuming the woofer is still producing sound? Make sure nothing is loose inside and that woofer gasket is making a tight seal. Use a paper towel tube to listen around the edge for noise.
Welcome to AK!
 
Thanks all, I will do the additional checks tonight. Appreciate the guidance and quick replies. Either way..... I blame it on the late Stevie Ray Vaughan....it was his record spinning when this all went down!
 
I'm not sure if EPI 100 woofers have this problem but there are EPI woofers where the glue that holds the magnet onto the back of the basket starts to fail and the magnet starts to move sideways. The result is that the voice coil gap is no longer circular and the cylinder that the voice coil is wound on (the 'former') starts to rub against the magnet. Possible this was happening anyway, or that your refoam job was just a trifle off center and exacerbated it. Apparently they can be fixed by regluing. If none of the above suggestions cures it, search "EPI magnet separation" on this forum.
 
Oh, and if it is a problem that is not easily cured and you aren't up for messing with the magnet, you can trade it in at Human Speakers for a correct rebuilt one.
 
I've heard of some people having success rotating the driver 180 degrees to compensate for sagging spiders. Couldn't hurt.
 
So I've double checked the dust cap, cone , surround, and spider gluing.....all appear normal and in good condition. Output to the other speaker is good. Still no sounds or rubbing when pressing evenly down on cone.....resistance is normal. I havent removed the dust cap to dive deeper....is that the next step? Im about at the point of ordering a replacement from "human speakers"....it would just suck if the woofer turned out to be ok...and the problem lies somewhere else. Hey, thanks again for all the responses.....this newby appreciates the help!
 
It's possible there is voice coil rubbing that is so minute that when pressing manually with no signal going through it, you don't feel anything. Imagine that tiny wire coil just barely touching the surrounding magnet. You can't feel or hear it until the cone is vibrating at tens or hundreds of hertz in the bass frequencies.

Try gently pressing on different spots on the cone while it's playing at a moderate volume but loud enough to hear the buzzing. If it stops when you press on one area around the cone, the VC is rubbing. You can try re-foaming and this time cut out the dust cap and use shims. Or, as I suggested earlier, look up threads on EPI magnet shift. There are pictorial guides on how to detach, align and reattach the magnet. I haven't done it but I just saw one the other day while looking up info on M400 towers.
 
toxcrusadr said:
It's possible there is voice coil rubbing that is so minute that when pressing manually with no signal going through it, you don't feel anything. Imagine that tiny wire coil just barely touching the surrounding magnet. You can't feel or hear it until the cone is vibrating at tens or hundreds of hertz in the bass frequencies.

Try gently pressing on different spots on the cone while it's playing at a moderate volume but loud enough to hear the buzzing. If it stops when you press on one area around the cone, the VC is rubbing. You can try re-foaming and this time cut out the dust cap and use shims. Or, as I suggested earlier, look up threads on EPI magnet shift. There are pictorial guides on how to detach, align and reattach the magnet. I haven't done it but I just saw one the other day while looking up info on M400 towers.
Click to expand...
 
Good stuff......yes, applying pressure to the cone while it was playing did make the rough sound stop. Will try refoam with shims and will also check for the magnet prob while at it.... thanks!
 
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