Different sounding two RT3s

[amiti]

helllo ,

I purchased a couple of 2nd hand RT3's a few days ago. When I connected them at home , I was a bit disappointed at first because they sounded somewhat stiff and lacking bass.

3 days later the sound got richer and deeper. Maybe because they were stored for a long time another break-in period was needed again.

Today - the 4th day, I listened to each speaker separately and found out that only one speaker has a deep bass and round sound.The other is lacking in bass and has a more rigid sound.

After removing the grills I noticed a slight difference in the glossiness of the membrane that surrounds the woofers. The stiff sounding speaker's membrane is a little more matte than the other's.

If this membrane was replaced (although the seller said these are the original speakers and no fixes were made) can this be the reason for the sound differences? Should I just wait longer for the 2nd speaker to break-in and "open up" its sound?


Thanks in advance for any advice or comment.

Amit.

[amiti]

Maybe my post wasn't clear enough...
One speaker's bass drops off bellow ~150hz leaving the sound quite flat.It is capable to give the lower bass frequencies if I add extra bass in my amplifier (NAD 3100) controls.Can you guess what might be the problem? Is the driver dead or maybe the problem is the crossover?

please help...

[Jed Leland]

Hello,
If I had to venture a guess, I would say that driver has been replaced with a different unit. The compliance might be off from what it is supposed to be and the result is a different resonant bass frequency which throws off the bass tuning. Kind of like putting the wrong strings on a guitar, makes it sound different. Try swapping out the two mid range drivers, from one speaker to the other. If the low bass moves to the other speaker then you know you've got a driver issue.
Good luck, Jed.

[amiti]

Thank you for the advice.

When I Opened the speakers the first thing I noticed was that both drivers were the same and manufactured on the same date (18 may 1998).
Next I have switched the drivers between speakers but the problem remained at the same speaker.

Does this mean the problem is caused by the crossover ? Can it be fixed or only replaced as a whole?

[treitz3]

Thank you for the advice.

When I Opened the speakers the first thing I noticed was that both drivers were the same and manufactured on the same date (18 may 1998).
Next I have switched the drivers between speakers but the problem remained at the same speaker.

Does this mean the problem is caused by the crossover ? Can it be fixed or only replaced as a whole?

Maybe not. Leave everything the same and swap the L+R speaker wires coming from the amp. If the problem follows the connection, the problem is within the amp. If it does not, it is the crossover or a connection from the amp leading to the speaker components.

[amiti]

Swapping Left and channels was the first test I did .The problem followed the speaker and not the channel. That was why I kept on looking for the cause .

I guess there is no other option but a bad crossover. Can it be fixed or only replaced?
will a new crossover sound different than a 10 years old unit?

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello,
It would appear that you have narrowed it down to the crossover (assuming there's nothing wrong with the enclosure). The RT3 crossover is part number RE0188-1 which sells for $32.00 (the Club Polk price is $25.60 and free shipping within US). There are only four of them in stock, so telephone 1-800-377-7655 as soon as possible, mention you are Club Polk member for the bennies.
Regards, Ken

[amiti]

Hello ,
FINALLY ... I replaced the crossover and guess what ? now the speaker I thought that was fine sounds a little dull in comparison to the speaker with the new crossover :) I guess crossovers do wear out even if it is only by a margin. Maybe I should have just ordered two crossovers...