Analog 2000 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Hello, I am new to the forum, I've spent the past 6 months lurking on this and other audio forums as I put my dream system together, so thank you guys for the advise and tips. Now I have a question/ problem. Backround/ system information: I'm running a fairly simple 2 channel vinyl set up. Source: stock Technics 1200 mk 2 with Denon Dl-110 Cartridge Preamp: Mcintosh mx-110 Z purchased refurbished from audio classics Amp:Mcintosh MC-275 Mk IV purchased from audio classics Monitors: Heresy III speakers purchased from retailer in Pasadena Problem: When I switched from the dynaco pre-amp I had been using to the mx-110 I noticed that I was not getting the full range of information from my left channel. (on jazz I could not hear the high hat cymbals, alto sax was muffled, generaly laking high end sound above 10k hertz) I determined this by listening to each channel when trying to balance the amp. Listening was done using the "L&R to L" and "L &R to R" respectively. At first I thought I was having a problem with my pre-amp or amp. However, when I left every thing in the chain and switched the speakers only I continued to have the problem. I'm a smart guy, and my speakers are new but this doesn't make any sense to me. Is there any way I could have damaged the speakers? What is my next step, return them to the retailer? File a warranty claim? Thanks, Chris Edited December 15, 2014 by Analog 2000 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Welcome to the forum! That looks like a fine system. What speakers are you using now? Edited December 15, 2014 by Tarheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Input device, contoller, amplification, output device... looks normal to me. Nothing simple about that. If the symptom didnt change sides, its the pre or amp... if it changed sides, its the speakers. As the speakers are new, they are under warranty. Its a possibility a connection is loose internally, or a damaged/out of spec driver, or perhaps a bad crossover. Edited December 15, 2014 by Schu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog 2000 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Thank you for the welcomes and quick responses. I should have been more clear, when say I swapped the speakers, I swapped them left and right, leaving the speaker cable in place and then swapping the the cables as well. The problem moved with the speaker. So what now, send it to Klipsch? Is there something simple I could be missing? Thanks, Chris PS Trying to upload photos of the simple spectrum analyzer app I used on my phone to help diagnose the problem Edited December 15, 2014 by Analog 2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 So, just for clarification, the speakers worked fine for "X" amount of time until you swapped preamps then the trouble started in the left speaker? Did you check the jumpers on the input cups and make sure everything is tight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Contact your retailer... did you buy from an authorized retailer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Did you pull the grill covers and check each of the horn drivers to make sure they're both playing? Its hard to hear tweeter over the mid sometimes so I'd use a clean sock and stuff the mid horn to isolate the tweeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog 2000 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Yes, the speakers worked fine with the Dynaco preamp or the the problem was to subtle to hear with the Dynaco preamp. I discovered the issue when I was attempting to balance the MX-110 and using the "L & R to L" and "L & R to R" functions. Most telling was that the problem followed the speakers when I swapped them with each other. However just to verify I reinstalled the Dynaco preamp and used the balance control, and while I feel this is not as scientific as the"L & R to L" and "L & R to R" functions used on the Mcintosh, I did notice a diminished response in the high end. The speakers sound pretty damn good when played in stereo, but I do notice a lack stereo imaging with higher notes, IE high hat cymbals only sound like they are coming from one speaker, certain horns ect. Its subtle but its there, and Im a perfectionist. Schu, Im running a 12 ga speaker wire to the HF terminals on each speaker and using the metal jumpers that were included with said speakers to jumper to the LF terminals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog 2000 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 jjptkd, I had pulled the grill and attempted to listen to both horns, but couldn't hear them over the 10" cone, Now that I think about it though, I can pull the metal jumpers and use your sock trick to isolate the problem. I will try this and update you guys with what I discover. And yes I believe the retailer was an authorized Klipsch retailer, I will double check though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog 2000 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Ok, The tweeter in the speaker in question seems as though it is not operating. I will contact the retailer tomorrow and proceed as they advise. Thank you guys it feels really good to have nailed down the specific problem. -Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ69 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 It may be a simple loose connection on one of the speakers. It has happened before. If it is under warranty, give Klipsch a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rad500cad Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Hi Chris Welcome to the forum. Ok, it's late & way past my bed time but here's a couple of things to think of. Possibly the brass z shaped connectors on the back of the HIIIs have a plastic cover that wasn't removed. And what happened to me (a few years ago) when I was stripping some new speaker wires I was sure I had gotten all the plastic off but NO there was a very thin layer still covering it I was getting intermiten sound problems just like your describing. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khornukopia Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 The Heresy III crossover network is mounted directly to the inside of the speaker wire terminal cup, screwed onto four plastic pegs. If the shipping box was set down hard, the styro packing would protect the speaker, but the small plastic pegs may have sheared, allowing the somewhat heavy crossover to yank on the wires, possibly disconnecting it from the tweeter. I would ask the repair center to remove the six screws holding the speaker terminal cup and look there first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Or it could just be a bad tweeter diaphragm. I had to replace one on a brand spanking new H3 once. It was bad from the get go. Hadn't had an issue since. Edited December 15, 2014 by CECAA850 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moray james Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I too had a bad H3 tweeter diaphragm on a set of new H3. (the cabinets on two sets of H3 also had dry joints on front and rear baffles which I had to repair Klipsch would not help me. Have bought a lot of Bob Crites ti diaphragms all perfect not one issue and I know Bob and Michael are there for me the day I need them. I would buy Bob's ti diaphragm over a Klipsch unit, it is my go to unit. Best regards Moray James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) I guess the next step would be to remove the tweeter that isn't working and at low volume connect the speaker wire directly to the tweeter to see if you get sound. When you remove the tweeter you'll be insuring the connection from the crossover is / was good and whether the diaphragm in the tweeter is bad. If the tweeter works by itself and the connection was good when you removed it from the cabinet then the problem lies in the crossover. I'd put money on the diaphragm being bad though as others have stated. Edited December 16, 2014 by jjptkd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ok, The tweeter in the speaker in question seems as though it is not operating. I will contact the retailer tomorrow and proceed as they advise. Thank you guys it feels really good to have nailed down the specific problem. -Chris It may be a simple loose connection on one of the speakers. It has happened before. If it is under warranty, give Klipsch a call. Agreed, Call klipsch and they will send you a new tweeter no charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog 2000 Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 (edited) Visited the retailer today, I have to say excellent customer service, pulled the tweeter out of my speaker, tested it with a "AAA" battery. Confirmed it was bad. Replaced it with the tweeter from another speaker on the floor and installed it while I waited. The speakers are the only thing I've purchased from them, going to go out of my way to do business with them again. Edited December 16, 2014 by Analog 2000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Visited the retailer today, I have to say excellent customer service, pulled the tweeter out of my speaker, tested it with a "AAA" battery. Confirmed it was bad. Replaced it with the tweeter from another speaker on the floor and installed it while I waited. The speakers are the only thing I've purchased from them, going to go out of my way to do business with them again. Great to hear they took care of you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjptkd Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Right on, glad you got it handled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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