I hear a tizziness in my 804S midrange

[jlee]

Just took delivery of my new 804S and HTM3S last week and one of the 804S is producing a "tizzy" sound from the midrange unit. It only happens with certain frequencies.

I'm pretty sure I've broken them in for 100+ hours now... in fact, they sounded pretty damn good out of the box... my N804 needed 100 hours to sound good... sounded really bright... but not the 804S...

Anyways... it sounds like a "static" sound and it's definitely coming out of the kevlar unit... Man... I really don't want to have to get another one... I have sequential serial numbers and the veneer is a perfect match... is this an easy fix or does the rep need to come to my house and replace the midrange? It sounds like a bolt or nut may be loose and is resonating at a certain frequency only.

[Karma]

HI jlee,
Try swapping the left and right speaker leads at your amplifier. If the Tiz stays in the same speaker, the speaker needs service. If the Tiz moves to the other speaker, you have problems with your electronics.

Sparky

[BTB]

... I really don't want to have to get another one... I have sequential serial numbers and the veneer is a perfect match...

I had to return a pair of B&W's cause there was a problem with the finish on one of the cabinets... Basically, far as I was told B&W policy is that if there is a problem with one of the speakers both must be returned so that you end up with a replacement pair that is also a match. So that shouldn't be a problem.

Otherwise Karma's solution is the correct one. Swap speakers as per his suggestion...

[dmccombs]

I just got some 804S and they are at about the 100 hour mark as well. I have found the 804S to be accurate, but not "full" sounding. But I think that is from the relatively small box.

But your issue definetly sounds like a defect and the suggestions above should help narrow down the problem.

You rep will come out and replace a driver? That's great service if that is the case. I would have thought you would have to take them in yourself (unless maybe you paid for delivery).

Good Luck,
Darrell

[RebelMan]

I just got some 804S and they are at about the 100 hour mark as well. I have found the 804S to be accurate, but not "full" sounding. But I think that is from the relatively small box.

dmccombs, what are you using for a front end? The electronics will either hold back or exploit the "full" (pun intended LOL) potenitial of the 804S. I've seen this happen with my 803S when I had them.

jlee, if you've isolated the issue, as Karma prescribed, and you are sure it is a failing FST driver and you're outside the window of time to exchange (I doubt you are), you'll really have no choice but to have your dealer replace the driver. The FST is the one drive unit I would be hesitant to replace myself because of the special torquing that is required.

I believe Soundgravy had a similar situation where the tension bolt on the back of the FST was over threaded and he needed his dealer's assistance to resolve the matter which I believe concluded satisfactorily.

[dmccombs]

Rebel,

Here is my associated equipment:

Source: Toshiba HD-DVD player
Prepro: Denon 3806
Amp: Krell 250 wpc on the 804S

On the other hand these same components sound great with the 803S. I get a nice full soundstage with the 803S. In fact sometimes in 2CH mode I find myself turning around to see if my rear channels are on.

If you have any suggestions as to how to make the 804S sound better I am all ears (pun payback). I am still playing with placement, and I am considering upgrading the Prepro to a seperate. I have a thread in this forum sking about Prepro advice.

Thanks,
Darrell

dmccombs, what are you using for a front end? The electronics will either hold back or exploit the "full" (pun intended LOL) potenitial of the 804S. I've seen this happen with my 803S when I had them.

[ti33er]

hi jlee ...I had a similar problem with my old N805s making a funny bzzz sound and it turned out to be a lifted section of the VENEER around one of the driver cones - check there are no bubbles or slight delaminations in the wood surface...mine was a subtle buzz, but noticeable so it might not be that in your case?

[RobP]

I believe Soundgravy had a similar situation where the tension bolt on the back of the FST was over threaded and he needed his dealer's assistance to resolve the matter which I believe concluded satisfactorily.

Yes, everything ended up turning out for the best in that situation, I would recommend anyone needing their FST Midrange replaced to let your dealer handle the job, its quite a job getting the gasket to line up perfectly.