Centre Speaker Fuzzy Speech

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mgeek

123 posts

Master Geek
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#270125 24-Apr-2020 16:28

Our trusty Kef eggs (SP3375 / 2005.2) have finally started to let us down.

The centre hasn't failed outright, but it's noticeably fuzzy on softer speech. Enough to annoy me :-)

I've tested it by switching speakers and cables around, and the problem always follows the speaker. I also ran a simple frequency test (20Hz to 20KHz) which didn't reveal anything useful, no big chunks of missing frequencies or anything.

I opened it up (nicely made speakers overall) but can't see anything obvious.

Is this kind of fault more likely to indicate a failing driver or could it possibly be a (fixable?) crossover problem..?

mm1352000

1149 posts

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#2470485 24-Apr-2020 18:28

By "fuzzy", do you mean distorted, or...?

Does the "fuzz" correlate with the gain/volume level? In other words, does the volume of the fuzz correlate with the volume of the input, or is it a constant background fuzz that is obscured if you turn the volume up?

mgeek

123 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20

#2470830 25-Apr-2020 10:40

It's distorted audio - no constant noise. It's tricky to describe - speech is indistinct. Turning the volume up makes it easier to understand but the distortion is still there. Does that help? :-)

clive100

236 posts

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#2470855 25-Apr-2020 11:29

It sounds like either the voice coil on the larger cone cone is rubbing on the magnet or on the concentric tweeter. This could be the tweeter has become loose on it's mounting and off centre which creates the rubbing & distortion. Another possibility is dust build up between the cone & tweeter. It would take removal of speaker grill to check this & dismantling of speaker to check for loose fixing.

clive100

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#2470858 25-Apr-2020 11:37

Could be wrong about fixing loose tweeter but this video shows the assembly & possible loose duct rattling ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjoXGc67YZQ

driller2000

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#2470872 25-Apr-2020 11:40

If it follows the speaker - which suggest its not the amp - could you just get a replacement speaker to use as the center - either another egg or some other brand?

mgeek

123 posts

Master Geek
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#2471551 26-Apr-2020 12:37

clive100:

Could be wrong about fixing loose tweeter but this video shows the assembly & possible loose duct rattling ?

Thanks. Everything seemed pretty solidly in place when I opened it up - but I didn't go much further than a quick look. I'll have to dismantle more and have a closer look.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

mgeek

123 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20

#2471552 26-Apr-2020 12:38

driller2000:

If it follows the speaker - which suggest its not the amp - could you just get a replacement speaker to use as the center - either another egg or some other brand?

Oh definitely. Just nicer to fix it rather than landfill it, if possible :-)

fe31nz

1294 posts

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#2471778 26-Apr-2020 22:56

Speakers can be fixed. A few years ago I sent my Acoustic Energy AE1's to a place I found in Auckland that does good speaker repairs. The paper? cones had worn out and had holes in them, producing very strange noises. They came back good as new. Sorry, I can not remember who they were, but I am fairly sure I found out about them here on Geekzone.