[Kim S.]

I want to start this by saying I bought these speakers new over ten years ago and they are far away the best speakers I ever heard (probably because I have not heard the RM40's,RM30's,V60's yet!)  Have had no problems with the speakers except about 5 years ago when the neo panels were "upgraded" due to some kind of connection flaw and I had to reinstall the neo panels.

Anyway here is the problem.  Yesterday we were listening to Bryan Ferry's CD Dylanesque (very good) at alittle over 1/2 volume.  About 15 minutes in I noticed that the vocals were distorted.  I discovered that one set of neopanels were not working.  The woofer and the tweeter of the speaker appear normal.  My question is do you thinkthis is just a connection problem or something to do with the crossover or the neo pannels themselves.  I am not real electronics oriented so I'd like some ideas before I proceed.  One more thing.  I do run the speakers hard at times.  Hard rock at 2/3 -3/4 volume.  Amps are Monarchy SE-250's which deliver 500 watts to a 8 ohm speaker.  Sometimes the amp will clip and I will turn it down.  I have played the amps like this for years with no problems. I don't think this has anything to do with the problem butit might.  Thanks

On
 

[John Casler]

I want to start this by saying I bought these speakers new over ten years ago and they are far away the best speakers I ever heard (probably because I have not heard the RM40's,RM30's,V60's yet!)  Have had no problems with the speakers except about 5 years ago when the neo panels were "upgraded" due to some kind of connection flaw and I had to reinstall the neo panels.

Anyway here is the problem.  Yesterday we were listening to Bryan Ferry's CD Dylanesque (very good) at alittle over 1/2 volume.  About 15 minutes in I noticed that the vocals were distorted.  I discovered that one set of neopanels were not working.  The woofer and the tweeter of the speaker appear normal.  My question is do you thinkthis is just a connection problem or something to do with the crossover or the neo pannels themselves.  I am not real electronics oriented so I'd like some ideas before I proceed.  One more thing.  I do run the speakers hard at times.  Hard rock at 2/3 -3/4 volume.  Amps are Monarchy SE-250's which deliver 500 watts to a 8 ohm speaker.  Sometimes the amp will clip and I will turn it down.  I have played the amps like this for years with no problems. I don't think this has anything to do with the problem butit might.  Thanks

On

Hi Kim,

As robust at the NEOPANELS are they are not indestructable.  That said, I only have had customers blow up a couple panels in 8 years.

No speaker will survive "clipping" wave forms for very long and that sounds like what might have occured.

It also DOES sound like the NeoPanel has been damaged since you say one panel is working and one isn't.

However there is an easy way to determine if the panel is functional or not:

1) Turn down your stereo quite low

2) Carefully remove the speaker cables from the back, being ESPECIALLY CAREFULL NOT to touch the leads together

3) Carefully touch both leads to the front of the small Neo-panel bolts (the ones at the bottom of the panel with the little nuts on them and the green in between)

If you hear sound then the panel is probably good.  If you don't then it likely has been damaged.

[Kim S.]

Thanks for the info.  I guess I did not explain correctly.  What I meant to say is that one set of panells is not working.  The panells on the other speaker are fine.  I'll do the speaker cable test as soon as I wake up enough and let you know.  I played the system that loud because we like to listen to music in a suanna which is in another room.  Live and learn!

[john1970]

Kim,

I had a set of panels on my previously owned RM40s go out.  I had to send them back to VMPS for repair. 

Best of luck,

John

[Kim S.]

I just did the speaker wire test and both panells worked.  I have a multimeter. Is there some test I can do to see if a signal is reaching panells?

[John Casler]

I just did the speaker wire test and both panells worked.  I have a multimeter. Is there some test I can do to see if a signal is reaching panells?

That is a good sign, and shows the panels are most likely functional and OK.

The other possible suspect then might be the L-Pad.  They are subject to overheating/burning if an amp is sending out clipping wave forms for a long period.

I learned about this the hard way when I had some friends over and let them sit in the sweet spot, while I sat well behind the couch.  The remote control to the preamp must have fallen in between the seat cushions and the volume level went to FULL VOLUME and the friend didn't know what to do.

The RM40's were getting 600wpc clipping waves for a considerable amount of time as I rushed around the furniture to manually reduce the volume.  Probably wouldn't have been so bad except it was the 1812 Overture during the Canon Firings.


If they or one of them is fried, they may be frozen, (actually welded) or burned. (you may even be able to smell a burned smell if you get really close to them) or they may turn like there is NO resistance at all (too freely)

Try turning the L-pad while playing music through the affected speaker.  If the sound cuts "in and out" then it is the L-Pad and it needs to be replaced (a fairly simple job if you can use a soldering iron)

If the L-pad feels like their is "no resistance" to turning it, and/or it doesn't turn at all (stuck in position) compared to the other ones, and or if the sound cuts in and out while turning it, you have the culprit.

If it is the L-pad that is a good thing since they are relatively inexpensive compared to the panels.

I have only seen this happen 3 times in 8 years also, but since it happened to me (just shortly after my first pair of RM40's) I know exactly what to do.

Should that not give you insight, then it may be time for Big B, to get involved and you should call him to see what else might be the matter.

One additional "word of caution";  The L-pad have a shaft that is split to accept a small screw driver to allow you to adjust them.  This makes the shaft less strong than a solid shaft.

Be especially careful NOT to push the screwdriver in TOO HARD and also turn the L-pad gently since if you turn it forcefully you can bend the split shaft

[Kim S.]

Eureka!  I turned one of the L-pad controls and the panels worked.  I obviously damaged the L-pad however as that control is now "froze" and I am unable to move it back to its original position.  I am ok at soldering so can do the repair myself.  How do I go about ordering a new L-pad?  Do you think I should get one for the other speaker?

[John Casler]

Eureka!  I turned one of the L-pad controls and the panels worked.  I obviously damaged the L-pad however as that control is now "froze" and I am unable to move it back to its original position.  I am ok at soldering so can do the repair myself.  How do I go about ordering a new L-pad?  Do you think I should get one for the other speaker?

Go around and turn each L-pad and see if the resistance feels smooth on each, and there is no sputtering of the sound when it is turned.

If that works then they may be OK.

If not then they may need to be replaced.

To order them call Brian (see his number in the dealers sticky)

Glad it wasn't the Neopanels

[Kim S.]

Thanks loads.  I checked the other L-pad and it appeared ok.  One of the controls had a little scratchy feeling to it, but the sound was steady as I turned it.  I'll call Brian to get the replacement.  Thanks again.  I won't be so heavy handed on the volume in the future!

[John Casler]

Thanks loads.  I checked the other L-pad and it appeared ok.  One of the controls had a little scratchy feeling to it, but the sound was steady as I turned it.  I'll call Brian to get the replacement.  Thanks again.  I won't be so heavy handed on the volume in the future!

Ask B, what you should do regarding the "scratchy" L-pad.  They should all feel pretty close to the same. 

Check both speakers, and both L-pads.

[Kim S.]

When I talked to Brian I told him about the scratchy L-pad and he said it is most likely bad also so I'll be replacing that too.  My only problem now is music withdrawal!  Luckily I have a small bedroom system but I'll miss the big rig!

[John Casler]

When I talked to Brian I told him about the scratchy L-pad and he said it is most likely bad also so I'll be replacing that too.  My only problem now is music withdrawal!  Luckily I have a small bedroom system but I'll miss the big rig!

You could get a backup pair of 626jr's