slk23 Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 I bought a pair of La Scalas (split cabinet reinforced pro style) in 1983. Recently while working on renewing the crossovers I've discovered that one of the woofers was hooked up out of phase at the factory: inside the bass cabinet the red wire is connected to the driver's positive connection and the black binding post. I've always felt that the bass was a bit weak for 15" drivers and now I know why! The speakers still have the signed quality control tags on them. Apparently their process didn't include checking the wiring. Nice job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Cool story... Fwiw, how do you know it wasn't the other speaker that was wired incorrectly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slk23 Posted November 27, 2018 Author Share Posted November 27, 2018 I can see that the wire connecting the positive terminal on the driver (marked with a dot of paint) goes to the backside of the black binding post. Also, when I test the driver with an AA battery the cone moves in instead of out as it should. The other woofer has the opposite (correct) behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Must have been made the Monday after their Christmas party... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codewritinfool Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Wow. I don't think a sweep test on a single completed speaker at the factory would find this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brians7 Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 5 hours ago, Schu said: Cool story... Fwiw, how do you know it wasn't the other speaker that was wired incorrectly? GD Now thats funny you know thats funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 I think Schu was implying that the driver might be wired out of phase for a reason. Not saying that's the case, but it's not uncommon, depending on the crossover design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Synergy Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Wired out of phase at the crossover, both speakers? Yes. Per what OP posts? No. If I bought speakers said as such that had ZERO bass, I would have explored that 10 years ago. Quality slips every once in a never. Sorry you were the victim as such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 22 hours ago, Coytee said: Must have been made the Monday after their Christmas party... No Jose, I told you no tequila 'til after work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Scrambled eggs all over my face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Synergy Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Solamente agave dije Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slk23 Posted November 28, 2018 Author Share Posted November 28, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Westcoastdrums said: Wired out of phase at the crossover, both speakers? Yes. Per what OP posts? No. If I bought speakers said as such that had ZERO bass, I would have explored that 10 years ago. Quality slips every once in a never. Sorry you were the victim as such. The difference in bass level with one woofer out of phase is surprisingly small; certainly not enough to arouse any suspicions. And why would I ever question the quality of the legendary Klipsch brand? It never entered my mind to listen with one woofer connected black to red, red to black. It was only when checking that I'd built and installed the new crossovers correctly that I tried it just to see how badly the sound would be affected. To my great surprise it made the bass stronger, leading me to dig deeper and check the connections inside the bass cabinet. Edited November 28, 2018 by slk23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Synergy Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 The difference in bass level with one woofer out of phase is surprisingly small; NO IT ISN'T. Wire YOUR speakers out of phase and report back. If you can't hear the difference, sell your klipsch and buy BOSE, please 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Synergy Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Trust me. If my speakers were lacking in bass within 5 minutes and I double checked speaker lead connections, speakers would be torn apart. Sorry but 20 years later if you didn't hear it? You bought the wrong speakers, belive me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slk23 Posted November 28, 2018 Author Share Posted November 28, 2018 (edited) @Westcoastdrums No, I don't "belive" you. But I don't know you, so I'll give you more courtesy than you gave me. I know what out of phase speakers sound like. Having one driver out of phase didn't affect things as much as one would think. Also, from what I've learned about crossovers the Klipsch designs are pretty messy wrt phase. Edited November 28, 2018 by slk23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 (everyone exhale....) You know slk... "crap happens", right? We (and they) are only human. Roughly 12 years ago, I spent about $7,000 and bought a pair of their Jubilee's. Did the snoopy happy dance (and am still dancing that dance today) During that time frame, there were many unknowns about the speaker. Did it have stuffing inside? Did it not?? So, one day when I was tinkering around, I thought I'd go ahead & pull the top off to find out. (yes, it has stuffing) BUT....while I was in there I discovered that either the screws holding my woofers on had loosened or.... maybe someone at the factory didn't tighten them all the way. I don't know. I got a screwdriver and tightened them and (not sure) I THINK this is the first thing I've ever said publicly about the incident. (I did send an email to Roy so he'd be aware of it) So, "it happens, nothing is perfect and people make mistakes....." You have a great sounding speaker and now, sounds even better! time for you to do the Snoopy Happy Dance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Synergy Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 So no, I don't "belive" you. Thank God. If I was to submit to my English teacher, she would roll in her grave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slk23 Posted November 28, 2018 Author Share Posted November 28, 2018 9 minutes ago, Westcoastdrums said: So no, I don't "belive" you. Thank God. If I was to submit to my English teacher, she would roll in her grave. You may want to ask her to teach you how to use the subjunctive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blvdre Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 On 11/28/2018 at 3:49 PM, Westcoastdrums said: Wired out of phase at the crossover, both speakers? Yes. Per what OP posts? No. If I bought speakers said as such that had ZERO bass, I would have explored that 10 years ago. Quality slips every once in a never. Sorry you were the victim as such. That's what happens when I skim. I blame my eyes; they dart around like they're late for an appt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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