Samac Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Hello all, I'm a long time lurker and a relatively new member. I'm also the original owner of a sweet pair of WO forte's, '88 vintage. Bought 'em because I wanted some real HiFi speakers to replace my Pioneers that came with the sweet Pioneer rack system I scored for barely graduating from high school.[] I've loved them from day one. Even way before I knew what HiFi really was and way, way before I knew what an audiophile was. I'm glad to say that I'm a recovering audiophile and that I'm very grateful that during the six odd years that I pursued everything that was supposed to be better than my forte's that they were never in jeopardy of leaving my possession[]. Anyway, I was listening to some James Taylor today while repositioning my speakers when I noticed during a deep bass note that there was a muted rattle coming from the speaker. I've always noticed this during the song "Up From Your Life" off JT's album "Hourglass" and have always attributed it to someting in the room getting excited from the low bass notes(not me but something actually part of the room). BTW, if you want to know how low your speakers go, throw on "Hourglass" and find out.[] So, what is it? The woofer, the brace......? Hope I've provided the right info. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 You could always check to see if the woofer is screwed down tightly and the gasket is seated properly.... If you tap on the woofer it should sound tight light a drum skin..... I believe the backs come off the Forte's (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and just unscrew the woofer....safest to go skip sides and cross un-tighten leaving 12:00 last......pop the woofer reseat the gasket and screw the woofer back down tightly...again cross tightening I'm sure others with more experience will chime in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samac Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 fenderbender,thanks for the reply. I've had the tweeter and mid horns out a few years ago to check contact on the wire but I'm scared to death to mess with the woofer or the PR which have never been touched. It's interesting, Iv'e only heard the rattle while playing the particular JT track I mentioned. Even when I play pipe organ music I've never noticed it. The speakers sound great. The rattle just has me very curious. Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HudsonValleyNoah Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Hi guys, The fortes woofers (and the PR as well) un-screw from the front... That is, the backs do not unscrew on the forte cabs... Noah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samac Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hey guys, fenderbender and others gave me some hlpful advice. Just curious if any of the many forte' owners here have experienced what I have(see original post). I doubt I'll take the woofer or the PR out untill I they sound bad. Right now everything sounds great but I may be used to listening to a woofer that's not optimal. Any more thoughts? Just trying to keep my forte's at there best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arug4 Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 They won't sound their best until you modify the crossover and replace the tweeter diaphragm with Bob Crites's titanium one. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samac Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 They won't sound their best until you modify the crossover and replace the tweeter diaphragm with Bob Crites's titanium one. Enjoy! Thanks for the post. I've wondered what my forte's would sound like with the crossovers overhualed or replaced. But since I've never used a soldering iron that's probably never going to happen. I may drop Ti dia. in some day since I have replaced the tweet dia. before. But I wonder if that's a case of something being more different than better. The CW III has Ti dia. so I'm sure they are good but the LS II and the K-horn both use the phenloic dia. like my forte'. I wonder why Klipsch hasn't changed those over to Ti? Anybody in SW Ohio or east central Indiana that has tricked out forte's that I could hear? Anybody have anymore thoughts on the woofer rattle I've heard from my forte's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Is it coming out of one speaker or both? If it is only coming out of one side, reverse the speaker leads (power off first!) and listem to the same track again. If it switches sides, it could still be the speaker, but perhaps it is something on the track itself. Have you playedthis same cut on another good system and had a listen? I've had thathappen before. Maybe something rattling in the studio. The testing it free. Bruce EDIT: Wow... I just listened to that track and right at 4:00 min into the song there is some impressively low bass. I think it might make most speakers rattle. [:|] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samac Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Bruce, Thank you, sir! I had not thought of the rumble being track specific. But man, it sure could be. I'll check that out. Thanks again! Cheers, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputnik Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Take the grills off and see if you still hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD1032 Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Play the part where it rattles over and over, sticking your ear right up to the woofer and PR and listen around... I don't see how this can't be diagnosed easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.