I think I broke something...

**cradeldorf** · September 8th, 2011, 01:58 AM

My speakers don't sound right.... I don't know what's wrong but they're not as loud as they used to be. I cranked them wayyy up about a couple weeks ago and they haven't sounded right since. I'm trying to diagnose where the problem is. I wonder if the Harmon Kardon couldn't hang. It's almost like the horns aren't working but they sound like they are. maybe I should open them up and disconnect the woofers to see? I wonder if running the 16 ohm c and the 8 ohm E on GPA N1600 crossovers might have done something? Also they kinda sound out of phase although they didn't sound that way a couple of weeks ago?

**Altec Best** · September 8th, 2011, 03:14 AM

First thing is 604's don't handle lots of power so cranking them way up is not a good thing.
Second thing the different loads on your amp isn't good either.

**cradeldorf** · September 8th, 2011, 04:06 AM

Is there an Altec that does handle cranking them way up?

**Old Guy** · September 8th, 2011, 07:58 AM

Different loads is not a problem on an amp AB. A 16 ohm load on one channel and 8 on another is nothing at all.

Most like you've damage but not completely blown the HF first thing I would do is pull the caps and inspect.

A-7's will play a lot louder due to the bigger HF horn an the big box.

**Altec Best** · September 8th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Old Guy

Different loads is not a problem on an amp AB. A 16 ohm load on one channel and 8 on another is nothing at all.

Most like you've damage but not completely blown the HF first thing I would do is pull the caps and inspect.

A-7's will play a lot louder due to the bigger HF horn an the big box.

Hi OG, what I was saying was with different loads on the amp, one side will work a little harder than the other.And they could sound a little louder on one side than the other with some EQing needed.With an even load much less tinkering involved.IMO Just my $1 1/2 cents !

**Old Guy** · September 8th, 2011, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

Hi OG, what I was saying was with different loads on the amp, one side will work a little harder than the other.And they could sound a little louder on one side than the other with some EQing needed.With an even load much less tinkering involved.IMO Just my $1 1/2 cents !

Makes sense now. But in his case it changed, so that wouldn't be it. What I suspect is the crappy Nady bit the dust.

I grade Nady stuff as BU (barely usable).

Watch FeePay. you can get the little Altec EQ with short faders for 50 bucks. At that price forget about Chinese stuff,

**Altec Best** · September 8th, 2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by cradeldorf

Is there an Altec that does handle cranking them way up?

Model 19's

**voice of the theater** · September 8th, 2011, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by cradeldorf

My speakers don't sound right.... I don't know what's wrong but they're not as loud as they used to be. I cranked them wayyy up about a couple weeks ago and they haven't sounded right since. I'm trying to diagnose where the problem is. I wonder if the Harmon Kardon couldn't hang. It's almost like the horns aren't working but they sound like they are. maybe I should open them up and disconnect the woofers to see? I wonder if running the 16 ohm c and the 8 ohm E on GPA N1600 crossovers might have done something? Also they kinda sound out of phase although they didn't sound that way a couple of weeks ago?

From your description it sounds like you're saying the bass sounds fine but you're noticing less (and "phasey") sound from the horns. You may have damaged your diaphragms. If that's the case, new diaphragms from GPA are less expensive than two woofer recones--so it could be worse!

Originally Posted by cradeldorf

Is there an Altec that does handle cranking them way up?

Yes, A7's will play noticeably louder. Model 19's will play deafeningly loud in a home setting as well..... However, your 604's may be able to play loud enough for your tastes--but keep in mind that if you "cranked them wayyy up" to the point that your amp clipped (even if it only clipped very briefly), a clipped signal from an amp could potentially fry just about any high frequency driver no matter what make/model (including A7, Model 19, etc.). Good luck with your troubleshooting--hopefully it will be a "quick fix"......

**cradeldorf** · September 8th, 2011, 01:48 PM

Ok Heres what happened this morning, I put on a dvd as I do every morning because I like to listen to something while I sleep, when I wake up its just sitting there on because the dvd was done hours ago. I'm not sure if that would be a problem or not. Anywho I woke up and switched it to FM, the Eagles acoustic version of hotel California was on and it sounded kinda ok but I was still half asleep then the the pretenders came on and they sounded like there was no bass. I turned up the base knob on the amp and I noticed that the lights on my Nady Eq were almost pegged to the top even though I had the volume way down... they were working just fine yesterday? and the bass is totally missing? Hi freq sounds good. so I'm sure the problem is either the eq or the amp. we did have quite a few nasty storms come through in the last few weeks...I wonder if it got hit by lightning or a power surge?

P.S. when it's all working right these speakers are wayyy more than plenty loud enough, Like super outrageously crazy Painfully loud. And that's at less than half volume!!!! Just over quarter volume to be exact.