Another RSW 15 bites the dust

[Amstaff]

I am bummed. My 12+ year old RSW 15 has died. If I leave it plugged in and switched off for a few minutes and then switch it on - I get a brief red light (less than a second) and then nothing. Sometimes if I leave it plugged in and switched on - the red light will come on and stay on after about 30 to 45 minutes. Will never go green - and, obviously, no sound. Any ideas? Worth fixing?

 

This beast has been the cornerstone of our HT setup since we bought it (along with RF7s, RC7 and RS7s). It has been driven by a Yamaha RX-Z1 and now a Denon 4311Ci (the Z1 kicks the Denon's behind btw).

 

Dilema: what to replace the RSW 15 with? Does not have to be Klipsch - do they even have a comparable or better model today? What other brands/models do y'all suggest?

95+% of our HT use is movies.

[derrickdj1]

Most likely amp failure.  Others may know of a replacement or who fixes them.  Another alternative is to just get an external amp and turn it into a passive sub.  You can leave the old amp in place to keep the box sealed and the tuning the same.

[Woofers and Tweeters]

8 minutes ago, derrickdj1 said:

Most likely amp failure.  Others may know of a replacement or who fixes them.  Another alternative is to just get an external amp and turn it into a passive sub.  You can leave the old amp in place to keep the box sealed and the tuning the same.

I have thought of doing this to a sub that I have. What about Xovers?

[derrickdj1]

The sub is still connected to the processor so, it will handle the XO as usual.  Just connect the speaker wires diirectly to the binding post and disconnect all the bad amp wires so that the amp is doing nothing.  An I Nuke DSP amp would work or something similar.  I would suggest a DSP amp for better low end performance since you can boost or cut frequencies, multiple XO slopes, limiters, ect.    The RSW is a 2400 watt peak amp and the I Nuke would cover that.

 

There are Crown, OSC and other that will do just as good a job.  Parts Express has some amps that will not have the fan noise of a pro amp for living room use.

[Fizik]

I had my RSW-12 amp repaired by Edwards Electronics. I was happy with their service and the price wasn't unreasonable to save the sub.

You can contact them via eBay here if so inclined.

[Amstaff]

Thanks for the replies, and the Edwards Electronics suggestion. I have sent them a note.

 

I did open the sub - figured I have nothing to lose. I see nothing obvious. Anything worth checking with a volt meter?

 

What about replacing it? What is as good or better? 

 

[RoboKlipsch]

To retain value you might want to start with amp repair.   But I would want to do some mm testing but can't advise exactly how.

[JJkizak]

1 hour ago, Fizik said:

I had my RSW-12 amp repaired by Edwards Electronics. I was happy with their service and the price wasn't unreasonable to save the sub.

You can contact them via eBay here if so inclined.

 

What was the problem with the RSW-12 and how was it fixed? What parts?

JJK

[jjptkd]

I'd say get it repaired, Edwards Electronics is a very reputable shop and they repair lots of Klipsch products. You won't be able to touch another sub even close to the performance of the RSW for the price of the repair. Chances are, once fixed you'll get another 12+ years out of it.

[Amstaff]

I have chatted (emailed with) to Edwards Electronics -  you are right if I get this back on its feet for $160 and some shipping - can't beat that with a stick.

 

I will still look around for another - maybe run two subs. 

 

How important is it to "match" subs? Or can you mix and match similar performing subs in a 2+ sub environment?

 

Thanks for the help.

 

 

 

[jjptkd]

I've ran mis-matched several times with great results. I once ran a Velodyne FSR-15 crossed over at 40hz with an RSW-10 running up to 120hz and they worked very well together.

[Amstaff]

The SVS PB16-Ultra looks like something else. Paired with a (hopefully) repaired RSW15 - 

Opinions? Over power the RSW or vice-versa? Compliment each other?

 

Thanks again

 

[jjptkd]

The PB-16 looks incredibly nice, I'm sure it would work well with the RSW or possibly deem it unnecessary. Either way the RSW is worth having fixed as they have maintained a fairly high resale value and could be sold to recoup some of the cost of the new sub if nothing else. They haven't made the RSW line for quite some time but it is a sub worth saving and passing on to someone else if you outgrow it. Let us know how this turns out!

 

 

[willland]

5 hours ago, Amstaff said:

How important is it to "match" subs? Or can you mix and match similar performing subs in a 2+ sub environment?

 

IMO, matching subs is more important with music as opposed to HT.  In my family room rig, I have twin RT-10d's in the corners, an SVS SB13 Plus on one side mid way and a Revel B15 on the other side.  They all do have somewhat on a similar tonal quality that was not too difficult to "match".

 

2 hours ago, Amstaff said:

The SVS PB16-Ultra looks like something else. Paired with a (hopefully) repaired RSW15 - 

Opinions? Over power the RSW or vice-versa? Compliment each other?

 

As far as this goes, if each sub is volume matched then neither will overpower the other, though the PB16U does appear to dig much deeper than the RSW15.

 

Bill

[Scrappydue]

On 10/15/2016 at 4:10 PM, Amstaff said:

The SVS PB16-Ultra looks like something else. Paired with a (hopefully) repaired RSW15 - 

Opinions? Over power the RSW or vice-versa? Compliment each other?

 

Thanks again

 

Grossly overpriced in my opinion. Where are you located at? 

[Amstaff]

Hi Scrappy

I am located in NC.

 

I have been enjoying your subwoofer build thread....and has me thinking

[CECAA850]

5 minutes ago, Amstaff said:

Hi Scrappy

I am located in NC.

 

I have been enjoying your subwoofer build thread....and has me thinking

Do it.

[twk123]

20 minutes ago, Amstaff said:

Hi Scrappy

I am located in NC.

 

I have been enjoying your subwoofer build thread....and has me thinking

I would either go horn loaded with the Cinema F-20 or similar or for about a grand you can get two of these:

 

https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-15-ultimax-subwoofer-and-cabinet-bundle--300-7097

 

And one of these:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-NU3000DSP-BEHRINGER-iNUKE/dp/B005EHINAS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1476913699&sr=8-3&keywords=inuke

 

 

[derrickdj1]

There is benefit in adding a second, matched or different sub.  Certain guidelines should be followed when integrating a second sub.  The smaller or lesser sub should be closer to the MLP.  Subs should be level matched and EQ as one.  I have given very little thought to ever use matching subs.  I've done it both ways and one way is no more difficult than the other, IMHO.

 

Even identical subs in two different locations basically become non-matched boxes.  Emphasis of getting things right at the XO is key.  Use of a global XO goes a long way in doing this for both music and HT.

[babadono]

On 10/15/2016 at 7:51 AM, Amstaff said:

Thanks for the replies, and the Edwards Electronics suggestion. I have sent them a note.

 

I did open the sub - figured I have nothing to lose. I see nothing obvious. Anything worth checking with a volt meter?

 

What about replacing it? What is as good or better? 

 

Are you handy with that there voltmeter? I can send you a PDF of the service manual if you like. Drop me a PM if so.