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In Reply to: Re: ESL 63 suddenly fading???!! posted by kentaja@yahoo.com on November 16, 2006 at 07:50:50:
I'll examine the flasher unit in the next few days and report on what I see.Is it significant that this problem happened rather suddenly. The problem seems unrelated to spl level. Even played rather quietly, I have the same issue.
When you write "when the leakage stops and the sensitivity returns to normal" are you implying that this problem is in some way intermittent?
Thanks for your help!
Follow Ups:
Sounded like it was an intermittent problem based on the description in your original post. Sometimes the sensitivity is low in one speaker?The ESL63 can be quirky, especially as they age. The symptoms you describe sound typical of an ESL that is getting up there in age. Intermittent sensitivity drops, oddly enough, can sometimes be worse at lower SPL levels. I have a set right now that has the same sort of problems at low SPL, but when really pushing the speaker will play all day with no loss in sensitivity. It won't be long however, before the sensitivity drop is constant.
These problems tend to just happen with very little warning. Intermittent or constant sensitivity drops, whistling, rustling noises, pops & snaps, all seem to happen rather suddenly. ESL63 panels like to fail in spectacular fashion at times!
- sigh - this is very disheartening news. Even though the speakers are 20 years old, for about 13 years of that time they were boxed, unused. I'll examine the flasher unit as you suggest.I supposed a panel replacement is not a do it yourself project for most people. There are four panels per speaker, right? I wonder what a replacement would cost.
Thanks again,
Drop me a private email. I can give you some idea of the cost for repairing a panel(s). Removing/replacing the panel(s) from the speaker is not too hard if you are handy with a soldering iron and screw driver.Coating degradation and/or glue failure are the common problems with ESL63 panels. The glue dries out over the years even if the speaker is not being used.
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