Acoustat Panel Bolt Upgrade - Buzzing and Rattling Solved!
207.58.243.74 |
||
| Posted on November 28, 2016 at 08:00:48 | ||
|
Posts: 163
Location: Beautiful, Sunny Cleveland, Ohio Joined: June 10, 2003 |
 I did some surgery on my Model 6s over the weekend and thought I'd share what I found in case y'all are interested... My Model 6s were buzzing/rattling during loud bass passages. One side only. I pulled up the sock to see what was going on and found that just about every panel screw was stripped. I had seen this before with the later style steel screws and have done a few things to fix them, but never really liked the results. Actoustat's original Xs and Monitor style speakers used nylon bolts and threaded inserts to mount the panels. I like this better because with the correct torque on the bolts they will elongate just enough to act as a spring, pulling the panel tightly against the frame. The steel screws really can't get tight enough to elongate without damaging the panel. With subsequent vibrations and thermal expansion the panels can become loose. The felt piece between the panel and frame helps but I never felt this system had enough spring. The latest Acoustat Spectra Series used a thin piece of plywood behind the panel and a small diameter bolt. This system also provides some clamping force because the thin plywood gives a little as the panel bolts are torqued. For my speakers I decided to use thread inserts and nylon bolts very similar to the original models. I built a drill fixture to position the holes for the thread inserts. It expands to work with either 8" or 9" panels. I clamped it in place and drilled the 3/8" holes for the inserts. Once the inserts were installed I made quick work of installing the panels again with the nylon bolts. Note the original Xs and Monitors used a flat washer, where the later models used a "t-washer" that actually drops into the panel's cell. I like these later washers better so I just retained them. I attached a picture summarizing the surgery. I really like the results. The rattle is gone and the panels are held in place much better. I *think* I hear deeper and more tunefull bass but it's hard to tell. I'm probably just NOT hearing buzzing and rattling and that makes it sound better. I'll listen for a few days then I'll be installing my new off-white grille socks. I also had some nice solid walnut bases made. Pics will follow of course!
|
|
