802d Marlan head flexibility question

[Eliav]

Hi
Just cleaned (dusting)my 2 days old 802d when i noticed that one marlen head is more flexible than the other, that is, one is easy to rock from side to side, the other is flexible yet more fixed. is this assymetry normal ?
is there anything i can do to make them even ? :M
thanks
Eliav

[ED K]

You just made me test my 802Ds !!! They are flexable (just a little) but are the same on both speakers. I "think" that they are mounted using one bolt with a seal of some sort to isolate the head from the speaker cabinet. The bolt is accessible from inside the cabinet when you remove the top sub. BUT <<< since you just got the speakers, I would call your dealer since the speakers are new!

[tboooe]

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

I refuse to test my 802d for fear of finding something I do not like...I already replaced my first pair of 802d because of faulty seals...I CANNOT go through packing up, selling, buying another set, and unpacking...MUST RESIST.....ignorance is blisss

[Eliav]

I refuse to test my 802d for fear of finding something I do not like...I already replaced my first pair of 802d because of faulty seals...I CANNOT go through packing up, selling, buying another set, and unpacking...MUST RESIST.....ignorance is blisss

I hear you, i dread this moment myself, got to know though if it's normal or not, it sounds great, looks great, BUT there is something there ...., I will try to call my dealer today. i hope it's nothing serious.

Eliav

[RebelMan]

FWIW, I don't notice much, if any, flexiblity with either one of mine although I was reluctant to apply much pressure to them to find out. I suspect if it doesn't take much effort to move the loose one on yours than there may be an mounting issue with it. If it were me I would find it worth while to have it checked out.

[PavelL]

MARLAN - it's Marlan not Marlen not Marlin and not Merlin

[Eliav]

FWIW, I don't notice much, if any, flexiblity with either one of mine although I was reluctant to apply much pressure to them to find out. I suspect if it doesn't take much effort to move the loose one on yours than there may be an mounting issue with it. If it were me I would find it worth while to have it checked out.

Just spoken with the dealer ( some of you know well) he claims that there should be flexibility with the head to a certain degree, the fact that one is slightly more loose than the other should not be a concern as long as it is a " reasonable sway" and that it sounds normal with no apparent damage .

I guess I will have to double check with B&W on Monday , just for my peace of mind. i will keep you guys posted
thanks guys for the tips .
Eliav

[tboooe]

eliav:

I could not resist. My anal side got the better of me (as it always does). My heads do indeed move and one is VERY slightly more loose than the other. I remember reading in the manual I think that you can actually use the head to help lift the speaker from a laying position (when putting the spikes for instance). So it seems that the mount is very sturdy. There is probably some gasket or flexible seal in there somewhere as another poster pointed out...good luck on Monday with B&W but my feeling is that they will say its normal.

[Eliav]

PS a quote from the 800 series manual , page 3 section 3.1 discussing how to put the spikes on :
" do not be afraid to handle the speakre by lifting the side of the spherical midrange head. it is a little unnerving because the head is flexibly mounted on the bass cabinet, but is does come to a stop and is strong enough to take the weight of the speakres "
I am NOT going to try this, i gues though that the head is suppose to be moving, the question is how uch sway is normal and if it worth it shipping it back for a check-up.
Eliav

[krellfan]

The Marlan head on one of my 802D was also kind of loose and squeaked a bit. I called B&W and was told that's normal. The head on the other side was fine. It bothered me enough that I fixed the problem myself.
I removed the top woofer and found the nut that attached to the rod was not tight at all. I was able to turn the nut at least five to six more turns and that fixed the problem.

I have since sold my 802D.

[Race Car Driver]

MARLAN - it's Marlan not Marlen not Marlin and not Merlin

Marlan..... thats a fish right? :

[PavelL]

Marlan..... thats a fish right? :

and Merlin is the legendary magician, right? :

[Eliav]

B&W tech support on this :
"The sphere ( marlan head ) is supposed to be decoupled from the rest of the cabinet, it is built flexible and supposed to be strong enough to take the entire speaker's weight.manufacturing variations may occur so that one head may be slightly looser relative to the other. This is NOT considered a problem .
If need be, ther is a bolt at the top of the cabinet that can be tightened after removal of the upper bass driver" .
for all of you guys ( mainly mine) peace of mind :W ..
Eliav

[tboooe]

so Eliav, are you going to try and tighten the bolt?

[Eliav]

so Eliav, are you going to try and tighten the bolt?

No !!!!!

It is not as bad to justify doing so.
The base of the sphere is as solid as the other unit. it is the upper part of the marlan that will move slightly more than the other one with gentle touch. it is not rocking, dislocated or about to fall. i just expected B&W product at this level to be ABSOLUTELY perfect and symmetrical. I guess this is "assembly variant" and is still within normal limits ?.
my understanding is that some of you guys experienced some difference with their marlan head flexibility, I guess it is a question of to what degree would you consider this normal vs abnormal ?

Eliav

[Kal Rubinson]

Who knows? I will enquire since one of my three 802Ds has a looser Marlan head than the other two. Perhaps I can get another conflicting comment from my B&W contacts.

Kal

[Eliav]

Who knows? I will enquire since one of my three 802Ds has a looser Marlan head than the other two. Perhaps I can get another conflicting comment from my B&W contacts.

Kal

Please do Kal, i would be very interested to know what they think. BTW, I have sent a detailed e mail about this to B&w in the UK. I will share their reply with this forum

Eliav.

[RobP]

This situation reminds me of my dealings with B&W and my dealer in regards to the amount of tension used on the FST driver nut, B&W stated that there was a certain torque spec for the nut, my dealer said that there was not and are given no means in the tool kit to apply a torque setting. So this may turn out to be the same. Who knows.....

[Kal Rubinson]

Please do Kal, i would be very interested to know what they think. BTW, I have sent a detailed e mail about this to B&w in the UK. I will share their reply with this forum
Eliav.

I asked and was told to remove the upper woofer and carefully tighten the nut on the stud that attaches the head. Be prepared for working in tight quarters.

Kal

[Eliav]

I asked and was told to remove the upper woofer and carefully tighten the nut on the stud that attaches the head. Be prepared for working in tight quarters.

Kal

thanks kal. I think that removing that upper woofer will make me pretty nervous as this speaker is 7 days old. I decided That with this minor difference between left and right, I 'd better leave it untouched.
Are you going to fix yours ?
Eliav

[Kal Rubinson]

thanks kal. I think that removing that upper woofer will make me pretty nervous as this speaker is 7 days old. I decided That with this minor difference between left and right, I 'd better leave it untouched.
Are you going to fix yours ?
Eliav

Dunno. We are off to Budapest and Prague this week, so I am not really paying much attention to this problem and all of them sound just fine. I imagine that, one day, I will be bored or twitchy enough to try it.

Kal

[greggz]

Some day...
when you are playing Booty Bass Vol 3...
and you hear the nut go "plunk" as it slips off...
causing the marlan head to topple to the ground like the head of a battle scene extra in Conan the Barbarian...

you'll know you waited too long. :B

[ShadowZA]

Some day...
when you are playing Booty Bass Vol 3...
and you hear the nut go "plunk" as it slips off...
causing the marlan head to topple to the ground like the head of a battle scene extra in Conan the Barbarian...

you'll know you waited too long. :B

nooooooooooo... :thud:

:roflmao:

[Eliav]

:demon:

Some day...
when you are playing Booty Bass Vol 3...
and you hear the nut go "plunk" as it slips off...
causing the marlan head to topple to the ground like the head of a battle scene extra in Conan the Barbarian...

you'll know you waited too long. :B

greggz ,you :demon: .....
Eliav :scareboo:

[Kal Rubinson]

Some day...
when you are playing Booty Bass Vol 3...

Then, I guess, never. :

Kal

[chinets]

Kal,
Just came back ( 2 Weeks ago) from Budapest and Prague with the family.
In Budapest we stayed on the Pest side at the Four seasons: Fantastic and wonderful place and Hotel. The people are great and humble. The service was delightful.
In Prague we stayed at the Pashtuv Palace Hotel near the Charles bridge. Also beautiful place, but the people are a little rude and watch out as it is quite dangerous In Prague at night and the service there sucks!. Hungary on the other hand was very safe and wonderful people.
If it is your first visit: You will love both places. They are both MORE THAN BEAUTIFUL!!
Have fun and enjoy and let me know by PM what you think about both places when you get back safely.
Best regards,
Chinets

[greggz]

Then, I guess, never. :

Kal

Ok Kal, in your case, E. Power Biggs Booty Shaking Toccatas and Fugues III.

[Kal Rubinson]

Ok Kal, in your case, E. Power Biggs Booty Shaking Toccatas and Fugues III.

Well, no Biggs but, so far, there have no audible consequences to the looseness in the center. It wiggles more than the other two but there seems to be no significant vertical play. I'll get to it someday.

Kal