My Speakers gave me a scare!

[alphaGT]

Several days back, I was playing the stereo at a rather moderate volume, and suddenly the left speaker was not as loud as the right. Panic! I started to investigate and found the the midrange speakers in my big Legacy Focus 20/20’s were not playing. And laying my hand on my amp, it seemed hotter than I ever remember it being. Not sure what was going on I quickly shut it down.

So the next day I got motivated to look inside. I removed the rear jack plate, and saw nothing really, so I pulled the rear woofer out. I had always assumed it was a passive radiator, seeing there are two 12” speakers in the front, but no! It’s a full fledged woofer, all three wired to the same points. And now I had a clear view of the crossover circuits. I wish I had taken more pictures, not one, but two large boards! One on each side. About 8” square. What’s that? 200mm? The board on the left was for the woofers, and the board on the right was for midrange, treble, and extra treble. I did take a photo of that.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180614/bbf06f9909a892374e5038fc2af8c109.jpg

At this point I emailed Legacy, and I am proud to say they responded the very next day! I told them there was no way I was shipping the speaker, so any help they could offer would be appreciated. Their tech gave me advice to verify the midranges were functioning. And how to remove the circuit board.

So once I had it out, it sat on my desk for two days, as I went over it checking components, and connections. I really didn’t find anything wrong, and feared I would be shipping it back. But on the jack plate are three toggle switches, bass, mids, and highs. By flipping these switches you can drop any range by approximately one decibel, to help fine tune the speaker to the room. The midrange toggle switch was not reading full short when engaged. Looking at the circuit design, I’m not sure how this could cause the symptoms. But I decided to hard wire that circuit to the “high”, position. I tidied up the board and put it back, and it worked!

So I am very pleased with myself! Also, on the rear of that circuit board was the date of 1997, so these speakers are 21 years old now! And like new if I do say so. I could go back and replace that toggle switch, but, I don’t recall ever using the midrange switch, it’s always been in the high position. And the toggle switches are glued in with a big gob of hot glue, so, it would be a chore to get it out. I may go back and fix it if I ever decide to sell them. And after nearly a week without the stereo, I came to realize just how much I missed it! And I have to say, I’ve never seen such crossover circuits in my life! Two 8” boards, there must have been over 30 parts just on the top end board, and the parts on the low end board were huge! Expensive looking stuff. And again, extra thanks to Legacy for all their help without question, real customer service to brag about!

Anyone else had any hi-fi emergencies lately? It really does cause one to worry. I was very lucky to get out without spending any money.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180614/a46e5957b3563617d16066213bf8df21.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180614/91c0e51652e18fcb317fa43a00709d6b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180614/001c79ebf65fdf3278f4aec17b260179.jpg

Russell


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[walpurgis]

Is that last photo a 'selfie? :D

[alphaGT]

Is that last photo a 'selfie? :D

I’m trying something new with my hair, do you like it?

Russ

[walpurgis]

I’m trying something new with my hair, do you like it?

Russ

Yeah. Suits you. :)

[Audio Al]

Well done you :)

[navigator]

Interesting post . It looks a bit scary to an electronics novice ! The X over in my B W DM2a s have several bits but tidy looking and high quality components . Not tempted to adjust- if it ain't broke don't fix it!!

[alphaGT]

Interesting post . It looks a bit scary to an electronics novice ! The X over in my B W DM2a s have several bits but tidy looking and high quality components . Not tempted to adjust- if it ain't broke don't fix it!!

It is intimidating, I studied electronics in college, about 28 years ago. So, I really had to put on my thinking cap. I worked on some computer stuff after school, but got away from component level after a few years. All the wires in the photo make it look a bit messy, but without the wires its rather tidy looking. I’m sure there was a good measure of luck involved.

Russ

[Frazeur1]

Good job, Russel! Glad your tunes are back, and yes, I would miss my tunes as well. I used to live not far from where Legacy speakers were made years ago, Springfield, Illinois if I recall, or close to there. Not sure if they are still in that location, seems to me they have moved...anyway, enjoy the music!

Just checked, still in Springfield!

[Pharos]

They look like a serious attempt at Hi end to me, and it is surprising at the sort of price they must be, that a switch should fail. But then they do little work and so oxidation will occur.

I had that on an ATC integrated because the motor driven volume control had not been used for years, my using it as a master gain control only. A few turns and the carbon brush commutator relationship was restored. That might also be the case with your switches.

The appearance of the wiring does worry me, (having been trained to Def. Spec. standards), I am currently re-wiring my ATC SCA2 to tidy it up.

Your speaker's company name to me implies a concern for longevity, and so not quickly outdated.
What was the original purchase price, and when?

[hornucopia]

All those 70s/80s speakers that had adjustable pots on them, that began to crackle with age (carbon tracks?)
e.g. my Leaks Sandwiches. (You should see the X-over in the 3090s!)
At least that's one thing 'full range'/single units don't have to worry about!

[alphaGT]

They look like a serious attempt at Hi end to me, and it is surprising at the sort of price they must be, that a switch should fail. But then they do little work and so oxidation will occur.

I had that on an ATC integrated because the motor driven volume control had not been used for years, my using it as a master gain control only. A few turns and the carbon brush commutator relationship was restored. That might also be the case with your switches.

The appearance of the wiring does worry me, (having been trained to Def. Spec. standards), I am currently re-wiring my ATC SCA2 to tidy it up.

Your speaker's company name to me implies a concern for longevity, and so not quickly outdated.
What was the original purchase price, and when?

I did tidy the wires up a bit when I put it back together, but they never rattled or caused any problems in the past. I found a date on the rear of the circuit board for March 1997. So that makes them 21 years old now! The man I bought them from some 10 years ago said he paid $7300 US. And I bought them from him for $2000 US. He even threw in a beautiful pair of Legacy speaker wires that he paid $400 for. He was moving to Australia and was in a hurry to sell them.

These Focus models received great reviews in their day, and were considered a bargain at the price. They still make a version of this speaker, but it looks a bit advanced, extra angles on the cabinet and improved drivers, and bigger prices. It is truly a full range speaker, with a claimed bottom range of 18Hz. I don’t have any material that low, but a recording of some Uriah Heep has some synth bass that will rattle the whole house! And smooth highs to match, lifelike midrange, I’ve been very pleased with them, ever since I matched them to a 300 watt Krell. Before that I had a Forte’ Model 3, approx. 150, 200 watts maybe? And it wasn’t cutting it. Oh it played, but didn’t possess the magic they have now. It’s so true that your amp is the heart of your stereo, every piece improved, front to back, when I bought that amp.

But I can forgive the toggle switch after 21 years setting behind three 12” woofers. Probably shook it to pieces?

Russ

[alphaGT]

Good job, Russel! Glad your tunes are back, and yes, I would miss my tunes as well. I used to live not far from where Legacy speakers were made years ago, Springfield, Illinois if I recall, or close to there. Not sure if they are still in that location, seems to me they have moved...anyway, enjoy the music!

Just checked, still in Springfield!

Yes I just emailed the factory. I emailed them 10 years ago when I first bought them, and they sent me the owner’s manuals for them! Even though I was very straight with them they were second hand. And now, at 21 years old, they didn’t hesitate to assist me in my repairs! Definitely a good company.

Russ

[Pharos]

Is the oblong tweeter a Heil or a ribbon, and how high does the spec say they go?

[alphaGT]

Is the oblong tweeter a Heil or a ribbon, and how high does the spec say they go?

It’s a Ribbon tweeter, and the new models claim a frequency response of 18Hz-30KHz. But I seem to remember these 20 year old units topping out at 26KHz? They don’t sound bright in the least, very smooth on top. Crossover points are 120, 2.8K, and 8K.

A month ago or so, I was listening to the radio, and decided to put on a CD. I forgot to lower the volume, and when the first drum beat hit it scared the crap out of me! It must have been over 120db! I dove across the room to lower the volume, but afterwards I was amazed at just how clean and clear it was as it was about to kill me. On the other extreme, it sounds very full and well rounded at low volumes, lower volumes than you’d ever think you would listen to a stereo.

Russ

[Ian7633]

I know that feeling all too well. A little while ago one of my Mordaunt Short Signifer 12 inch woofers suddenly developed distortion. Thinking that it was probably a bit of sag in the rubber suspension I turned the driver around 180 degrees ( not straightforward as the driver's magnet is bolted to the rear baffle with a steel rod at a specific torque as well as four hefty set screws on the front ). Anyway I reassembled everything and the distortion was even worse so dismantled it all again and rotated the woofer back 90 degrees, put it all back together and phew, distortion gone. Not too sure what I would have done if this hadn't worked as the chances of finding replacement drivers for the 35 year old Signifers is pretty unlikely, I guess I might have been able to get them re coned but even Mordaunt Short were unable to suggest where I could get this done. So I certainly understand how you felt with your recent emergency Russell.

[alphaGT]

I know that feeling all too well. A little while ago one of my Mordaunt Short Signifer 12 inch woofers suddenly developed distortion. Thinking that it was probably a bit of sag in the rubber suspension I turned the driver around 180 degrees ( not straightforward as the driver's magnet is bolted to the rear baffle with a steel rod at a specific torque as well as four hefty set screws on the front ). Anyway I reassembled everything and the distortion was even worse so dismantled it all again and rotated the woofer back 90 degrees, put it all back together and phew, distortion gone. Not too sure what I would have done if this hadn't worked as the chances of finding replacement drivers for the 35 year old Signifers is pretty unlikely, I guess I might have been able to get them re coned but even Mordaunt Short were unable to suggest where I could get this done. So I certainly understand how you felt with your recent emergency Russell.

It’s a similar feeling to a pet being sick, if your dog or cat is ailing, and the accompanying feeling of money slipping through your fingers.

Russ

[57charles]

I know that feeling all too well. A little while ago one of my Mordaunt Short Signifer 12 inch woofers suddenly developed distortion. Thinking that it was probably a bit of sag in the rubber suspension I turned the driver around 180 degrees ( not straightforward as the driver's magnet is bolted to the rear baffle with a steel rod at a specific torque as well as four hefty set screws on the front ). Anyway I reassembled everything and the distortion was even worse so dismantled it all again and rotated the woofer back 90 degrees, put it all back together and phew, distortion gone. Not too sure what I would have done if this hadn't worked as the chances of finding replacement drivers for the 35 year old Signifers is pretty unlikely, I guess I might have been able to get them re coned but even Mordaunt Short were unable to suggest where I could get this done. So I certainly understand how you felt with your recent emergency Russell.

Lockwood Audio can help with the Signifer bass unit if need be.

[Ian7633]

Lockwood Audio can help with the Signifer bass unit if need be.

Thankyou Charles, that is very useful information.