That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

[Van Noord]

My new (to me) Randall XLT V30 4x12 was sounding.....off.
It just wasn't sounding right. My two other V30 loaded 4x12's were sounding thicker and more solid in the lowend.
The Randall is built great, I opened it when I got it and the consctruction is really nice.

So I decided it must be the unbroken in Chinese V30's, and I open it up to swap two out with some Legends to add some girth and tame some of the thinness.

Holy crap. The factory installed V30's had their screws PULVERIZED into the baffle!
Looks like some idiot at Randall used a hammer drill and just went nuts with it.

So, the speaker frames were all bent and none of them were sitting flush against the baffle board. The frames were all bulging and warped. WTF!
One of the V30's also had this weird crease at the edge of the cone, making it not flex easily or evenly. Double WTF!

I pulled them all out and loaded the cab with two V12 Legends and two WGS Retro 30's and sealed it back up.

The cab is a monster now. Thick, tight crunchy and clear.

Check your factory cabs! Especially if you have Chinese Celestions because the metal frames are weak and pathetic compared to Eminence and WGS.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

That cabinet must've had the speakers installed at 4:55 PM on a Friday afternoon.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

Wow, the XLT is the high end model even, right? WTF? I really like my Randall cab, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, but that's shady as ****.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

Jolly-I was thinkin the same thing! Or they got a shop "helper" to do that part of the job.

King-Yeah this cab is basically the best model they offer. It is built great construction wise. But the speakers were ridicoulously installed.
I did buy it used, but I know the owner did zero mods. The back was never taken off. Guy was a noob too.

 

[fretburner]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

I believe the frames of any speaker are quite easy to bend/damage which is why you're not supposed to use power tools with it.

 

[trevorus]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

Yeah, I have had some speakers fuzz out and act funny when they were torqued unevenly. That's ridiculous! Sometimes, you can retorque them and they'll even out.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

I believe the frames of any speaker are quite easy to bend/damage which is why you're not supposed to use power tools with it.

Yes any speaker frame is susceptible. But the Celestions in question looked like, and felt like tin compared to the frames of my Retro 30's.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

Speaker are only to be finger tight plus a quarter turn.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

I believe the frames of any speaker are quite easy to bend/damage which is why you're not supposed to use power tools with it.

power tools have adjustable torque levels. A PROPERLY used power tool will get a more consistent torque level than hand tightening.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

IM not sure about the finger tight 1/4 turn thing. For me they would rattle like all get out if I did that, of course playing very loud. I torque all mine down till they are completely very very tight. All my cabinets are exceptinally buzz and rattle free, except one that is wicker like and has a grillcloth rattle- needs to be reclothed.
Im very fortuntate in that regard, to have tightened everything down in the cabinets , and find speakers with integrity- it was a lot of work, especially since I run mostly all vintage gear.
Im pretty sure if I played everyones 4x12 cabinets here with at least a 50 watt marshall, 8 out of 10 would have unacceptable noise for me. No way around it,. Theres just so much that can buzz in thier, especially these days, when QC isnt what it used to be.By the same token, old cabient need a thorough going over to make sure everythiong is tight to the cabinet, and thats IF its a structurally decently constructed cabinet to begin with.. and many if not most used speakers have issues.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

My speakers don't rattle, and you are bending your frames.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

I tighten the screws in an x pattern and stop turning the screw when it resists under my regular force.

Also, I'm reading of this happening to other people as well. One thread I was reading was about a new Orange PPC412.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

Jerry, if you played in a band you wouldn't hear any of this noise of which you speak.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: That's why my 4x12 sounds weird (Idiots!)

I think a lot of speakers are over tightened when installed to some degree. We are always taught too much is better than not enough. We shouldn't think that way in this case that's for sure.
What is important it that the frame sits flat and evenly on top of the baffle board. Mine were so over tightened that the frame was lifting off the baffle a 1/4 inch in some spots.

Like I said, the response and tone from the cab/speakers was just...off. Not right. Hard to explain actually. I noticed the poor sound, before the physical cause.

Almost like when your car/truck tires are under inflated. Some people don't notice the lag/drag and odd feel while driving and cornering. While others will notice it immediately.