Blown drivers in RTA12C's?

[HTguru1982]

I noticed this the first day I bought them but wasn't sure if it was a problem. All of the midrange drivers SEEM to be working in my RTA12C's. They produce sound at least. In a particular scene in Transformers 2, the sound shifts to the front 2 speakers and during this transition, the RTA's sound somewhat distorted, at least compared to my other speakers. This apparent distortion is only noticeable on this one scene in this one movie.

I was messing around with my "new" Monitor 7's(thanks intangible) and decided to compare them to the RTA12's. I moved them up front and listened to the same scene from Transformers and no distortion. I thought it was weird so I decided to try the push test on both RTA's. When I did, I heard/felt scratching on EVERY midrange driver. I did the same to the Monitor 7's and absolutely no scratching.

When I push the drivers in on both sets of speakers, the passive radiator moves with them. I can't remember but I thought I read that if the drivers were blown, the passive radiator wouldn't move during the push test although I've done so much reading on these speakers over the past week that I could have gotten that info mixed up.

I hope there's nothing wrong. I want to upgrade the tweeters as well as the crossovers but if I have to spend more money to replace all four midrange drivers then I think I'm going to have a meltdown. My fiance will probably kill me first, though.

[drumminman]

The scratchiness during the push test is a bit of a worry. The fact that they only sound off during that one scene in that one movie - not so sure.

Have you tried playing music through them?

[HTguru1982]

I haven't yet. I'll hook them back up shortly and go through some troubleshooting steps. Perhaps they're not all damaged.

I came across some MW6600X drivers on Ebay. Would these suffice as replacements drivers?

[drumminman]

Those are what's in my 12C's. To be sure pull one of your drivers and read the info on the paper tag on the back - the driver number should be there.

I don't think Polk makes replacement drivers for the RTA 12's any longer, but you can call them and ask.

[HTguru1982]

That's the thing - I've been trying to pull them out for 2 days now. I can't get some of the screws holding the drivers in to budge. I'm afraid that if I keep forcing it, I'm going to end up stripping the screws.

[HTguru1982]

Ok, finally got one of the drivers out. It is the MW6501. I found an old thread where someone mentioned the parts list Polk use to have on the website. It listed the MW6501 and the MW6600X as being the same driver. And if the MW6600X is what you have in your RTA12C's drummin, wouldn't it be a safe bet that they will work in mine? Thx!

[drumminman]

Ok, finally got one of the drivers out. It is the MW6501. I found an old thread where someone mentioned the parts list Polk use to have on the website. It listed the MW6501 and the MW6600X as being the same driver. And if the MW6600X is what you have in your RTA12C's drummin, wouldn't it be a safe bet that they will work in mine? Thx!

All that sounds logical - should work.

[geoff727]

HT,

It sounds like your MW drivers in your 12's have mis-aligned voice coils, causing the coil to rub in the gap at a certain level of cone excursion. Unfortunately, this is a recipe for eventual failure of the drivers......unless, of course, you never play 'that one scene' in Transformers 2.

G~

[HTguru1982]

I'm going to order the replacements from Polk, the 6503. $60 a pop - gonna have to do something real nice for the old lady lol.

[rmaiers]

I bought some replacement MW drivers for my 12Bs from Polk and they charged $48.00 with free shipping if you tell them you are a Polk member. Hope that is still the case.

[rmaiers]

If you do get them from Polk, make sure you check the screw holes are cut away from the rubber surrounds or they will catch and tear the surrounds when you put them in. I learned that the hard way.

[HTguru1982]

Thanks for the heads up!