Frozen SDA drivers...

[Driver_King]

So I tried using the DIY technique to repair them... That didn't work. :( I live in St. Petersburg, Florida and was wondering where would be the best place to have them professionally re-aligned. I don't want to spend a fortune on it as I've already spent too much time and money trying the DIY way. Any suggestions?:confused:

By the way, I have three MW-5001's that are locked up. I already have replacement drivers but it is really easy for me to tell that they sound completely different (and not as good) than the drivers in the right speaker that are the originals. I would like to put the originals back into working order.:)

[kawizx9r]

I wouldn't know really what to suggest on this matter or anything but could it be that the replacement drivers have never been broken in hence the difference in sound? Just a thought :D Goodluck to you though!

[BrettT1]

I have read about people trying to repair frozen drivers, but I've never read where one was actually repaired.

By the way, which SDAs use the drivers you are trying to repair?

[Driver_King]

I wouldn't know really what to suggest on this matter or anything but could it be that the replacement drivers have never been broken in hence the difference in sound? Just a thought :D Goodluck to you though!

I've had the replacements since November so I'm sure they've been broken in by now. They just seem much muddier, have a different tone, and seem so much lesser in quality. That's just something I noticed. I can go right up to the right SDA speaker and easily enjoy its sound though.:D


I have read about people trying to repair frozen drivers, but I've never read where one was actually repaired.

By the way, which SDAs use the drivers you are trying to repair?

The SDA II's (original ones from '85).

[treitz3]

It may be the difference between a sealed cabinet and one that is not. Please double check you speaker gaskets and seals.

[comfortablycurt]

I've never heard of anybody successfully realigning their drivers. You'd be best off trying to find some originals.

Post a WTB ad here...and keep your eye on ebay.

FWIW, I've noticed a difference between the original and newer style drivers myself. When I got my 2A's, one of the drivers in the left speaker had been replaced with a newer style driver. I'd always noticed that the bass seemed a bit stronger on the right side of my room, but I always attributed that to my room acoustics.

The different appearances of the drivers was bothering me, so I tracked down an original 6510. I wasn't anticipating any audible differences, but I got them. The bass is a lot more balanced across my room now.

Upon further inspection, I realized that the newer style drivers definitely don't have as much excursion as the originals, which was probably why I sensed less bass output on the left side.

It's all good now though.:)

[Driver_King]

I've already checked all of the seals. I know that it's not my room acoustics or anything else other than the differences in drivers. When I play bass heavy music, the replacement drivers seem very muddy. They distort and bottom-out when playing test tones or bass test songs while my other SDA speaker with the originals sing away cleanly and deeply.

[treitz3]

Have you contacted Polk directly about this issue?

[Driver_King]

I would like to post a WTB ad but am still wondering how much it would cost to have the three re-aligned. If I did post a WTB ad and got original replacements, I would need to sell my replacements. Or could Polk take them back for a refund?:confused::p Maybe I could just buy replacements and then have my current drivers fixed for later. What a mess.:o

[Driver_King]

Have you contacted Polk directly about this issue?

No, I haven't seen it as a big issue. I guess I could but I don't know exactly what I could ask for other than a refund...

[treitz3]

Advice, suggestions and maybe how to solve the issue professionally. Is that good enough?

[treitz3]

BTW, give up on rebuilding a driver. I have never heard of a successful repair.

[comfortablycurt]

BTW, give up on rebuilding a driver. I have never heard of a successful repair.

+1

I've read about MANY MANY people that have tried, and never once have I heard of someone that did it successfully.

I'd call Polk and get some advice. Or better yet, just try to find some original drivers.

[Driver_King]

I'll go ahead and contact them sometime tomorrow. Maybe I can get this all sorted out. :D Thanks for the comments.:)

[Driver_King]

BTW, give up on rebuilding a driver. I have never heard of a successful repair.

Trust me. I learned the hard way.:eek::p

[F1nut]

Your "new" drivers are 9 months old. You really cannot expect Polk to take them back.

[Driver_King]

I know. That's why I was saying it's a mess.:D

[danger boy]

just get some used ones off Ebay.

[Driver_King]

Are there any MW5001's on eBay now? I need to check that out..

[F1nut]

The SDA 2 uses MW6501 mid-drivers.

[Bobsama]

The SDA 2 uses MW6501 mid-drivers.

Not all. My SDA-1's use MW7600's and MW7500's. Polk produced a lot of variations of each speaker.

[Driver_King]

The SDA 2 uses MW6501 mid-drivers.

Oops. My mistake. Thanks for the correction.:)

[F1nut]

Not all. My SDA-1's use MW7600's and MW7500's.

We're talking about SDA 2's, not 1's.

For S&G, what version do you have, the one with 4 mid-drivers or 3?


Polk produced a lot of variations of each speaker.

Some models had a few changes here and there, but not every model had variations.

[F1nut]

Oops. My mistake. Thanks for the correction.:)

Did you pull the drivers to see what is on the label?

[nooshinjohn]

give this guy a call... his name is Carl, and he may be able to restore the drivers you have. He has a vintage rebuild/repair shop. I do not have his website info at the moment, but it showed a completely disassembled Polk driver having the voice coil replaced. I just got off the phone with him and he indicates that he may be able to do it, but of course needs to see it first.

his number is 860-986-9156

[Bobsama]

give this guy a call... his name is Carl, and he may be able to restore the drivers you have. He has a vintage rebuild/repair shop. I do not have his website info at the moment, but it showed a completely disassembled Polk driver having the voice coil replaced. I just got off the phone with him and he indicates that he may be able to do it, but of course needs to see it first.

his number is 860-986-9156

Connecticut Audio Society
Carl Richard
9 Hillside Ave.
Enfield, CT 06082
(860) 986-9156
carlspeak@aol.com
http://www.ctaudio.org

[Driver_King]

Did you pull the drivers to see what is on the label?

Yep. They are the MW6501's.

[nooshinjohn]

Yep. They are the MW6501's.I have a few of them... I will let you have them for 18.00 each

[Driver_King]

You have three MW6501's in proper working condition? That would be awesome.:D Would you happen to want to trade for three MW6503's? Thanks.:cool:

[nooshinjohn]

let me make certain they work properly and lets talk...

[Driver_King]

No problem.

[nooshinjohn]

No problem.

big problem actually... clear out your pm box.... lol:)

[F1nut]

You have three MW6501's in proper working condition? That would be awesome.:D Would you happen to want to trade for three MW6503's? Thanks.:cool:

Maybe it's just me, but the guy offers you a killer deal on what you are looking for and you ask him if he wants to trade!?! I'd be all over them like a fat kid on an ice cream cone.

[treitz3]

No, it's not just you.

[madmike]

Yeah what's with that?