Warning: Do not use Hafler 500 to test your new DIY speakers!

Cal Weldon · 3rd March 2004, 11:24 PM

I just picked the amp up and was actually trying it out not the speakers.

I put my ear plugs in, and settled down to listen. [Ear plugs necessary because I am only 8 feet from the speakers (in my carport) and these are 500 watt RMS PA drivers]
On this old mix CD, I found downstairs, there's some good songs and along came a nice version of Leaving on a Jet Plane by Byork? (spelling)

Well I'm sitting there with a big 'grin-on' when the left woofer lands in my lap.

I believe this song is rather bassy

I believe I exceeded the Xmax

I believe I have created a new DIY project, remarkably similar to the last one.

I believe I should have noticed that the amp draws 1800 watts from the wall.

I believe I should have noticed the dimming of the lights.

I'm not sure I can be trusted with this Hafler

Here it is:

Variac · 3rd March 2004, 11:41 PM

Wow!, that's one of those stories you laugh about - in a couple of years!! I was thinking of selling my Selenium 1505's -they have a paper cone so I think they might sound better than the Quartz cone. Also I have a pair of D205 Ti drivers like you use.

Trouble is that you live so far away. The shipping is a killer!

Did the cone really tear loose?

Whew~

Razorfist · 4th March 2004, 08:01 AM

The question remains.. did you break something?

Nappylady · 4th March 2004, 08:23 AM

Pictures! We want pictures of the damage!

(Sorry about your loss, really....)

Cal Weldon · 5th March 2004, 02:05 AM

Landing in my lap was figuratively speaking.

I couldn't even look at what I'd done until after work today.

Now I never said I believed in higher beings but I'm starting to.

Things seem fine. I turned them up loud and no problems.

Did I buy self-healing drivers or was all that racket just their way of saying turn it down before something really goes wrong. Man, I lost sleep last night.

What a newbie I am with the big stuff

Cal

Mark: What's become of your Selenium's? Last I followed, you had switched to the JBL's. How do you like the change? What's the latest? Some days I don't get to go through the links.

GRollins · 5th March 2004, 02:21 AM

At a guess you bottomed the voice coils. In other words, the cylinder that the voice coil is wrapped on struck the back plate of the magnet structure. It's a nasty sound. Some drivers are more tolerant of that than others. If yours survived, then hoist a toast to folks who design tough drivers and go on with your life.
Enjoy.
Incidentally, I've got one of the pro versions of that amp. I use it to play bass through. Once or twice I've used it in my system. For the money, they were good amps. I sold a bunch of them back when I was in retail.

Grey

Cal Weldon · 5th March 2004, 02:51 AM

Hi Grey,

I'm not sure I heard the coil bottoming out, but there was this kind of death growl.
Something like a dog being some over by a big transport. I am wondering if there's maybe something with the amp. Might have to take it for a high current test.

Don't want to hear that again

Smiling again,
Cal

Variac · 5th March 2004, 03:31 AM

Cal,
Haven't really tried them carefully, I deconstructed the boxes to put on veneer. I've finished the veneer with danish oil, lined the box and am installing big flared ports on the front.

Soon they will be back together with new tweeters- the Aurum Cantus 2si ribbons!!!!! Haven't heard anything bad about them. In fact the opposite. Same mids; the Fostex 208E Sigmas.

I will play around with the crossovers until Dick Olsher sends me the latest Basszilla upgrade data. (free if you buy the plans once)
I suspect it will sound better than my efforts. We'll see.

Mark

OMNIFEX · 5th March 2004, 02:16 PM

I don't get it.

You gave the speakers too much power, and, you
are blaming Hafler for your error?????

I remember using that amp in the 80's. Never lost
a driver on it. Actually, If I remember correctly, it
is only 250 watts per channel.

Sounds like you had your first experience with
a power amplifier.

Wouldn't blame the amplifier. Only if it went into
DC, blew its transistors, and, took your speakers
along with it.

Jim85IROC · 5th March 2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OMNIFEX
I don't get it.

You gave the speakers too much power, and, you
are blaming Hafler for your error?????

I remember using that amp in the 80's. Never lost
a driver on it. Actually, If I remember correctly, it
is only 250 watts per channel.

Sounds like you had your first experience with
a power amplifier.

Wouldn't blame the amplifier. Only if it went into
DC, blew its transistors, and, took your speakers
along with it.

I believe he was using a bit of sarcasm in his post. I think he fully understands why he blew up the driver.

3rd March 2004, 11:41 PM	#2
Variac diyAudio Editor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Francisco, USA	Wow!, that's one of those stories you laugh about - in a couple of years!! I was thinking of selling my Selenium 1505's -they have a paper cone so I think they might sound better than the Quartz cone. Also I have a pair of D205 Ti drivers like you use. Trouble is that you live so far away. The shipping is a killer! Did the cone really tear loose? Whew~ __________________ Burning Amp Festival Sunday, October 28th, 2012 in S.F. We need Volunteers & sign-up's for what you're bringing!

5th March 2004, 03:31 AM	#8
Variac diyAudio Editor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Francisco, USA	Cal, Haven't really tried them carefully, I deconstructed the boxes to put on veneer. I've finished the veneer with danish oil, lined the box and am installing big flared ports on the front. Soon they will be back together with new tweeters- the Aurum Cantus 2si ribbons!!!!! Haven't heard anything bad about them. In fact the opposite. Same mids; the Fostex 208E Sigmas. I will play around with the crossovers until Dick Olsher sends me the latest Basszilla upgrade data. (free if you buy the plans once) I suspect it will sound better than my efforts. We'll see. Mark __________________ Burning Amp Festival Sunday, October 28th, 2012 in S.F. We need Volunteers & sign-up's for what you're bringing!

5th March 2004, 02:16 PM	#9
OMNIFEX diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Locked Up In The Amp Rack	I don't get it. You gave the speakers too much power, and, you are blaming Hafler for your error????? I remember using that amp in the 80's. Never lost a driver on it. Actually, If I remember correctly, it is only 250 watts per channel. Sounds like you had your first experience with a power amplifier. Wouldn't blame the amplifier. Only if it went into DC, blew its transistors, and, took your speakers along with it. __________________ *OMNIFEX*

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4th March 2004, 08:01 AM	#3
Razorfist diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Netherlands	The question remains.. did you break something?

4th March 2004, 08:23 AM	#4
Nappylady diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Salt Lake City	Pictures! We want pictures of the damage! (Sorry about your loss, really....)

5th March 2004, 02:05 AM	#5
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Landing in my lap was figuratively speaking. I couldn't even look at what I'd done until after work today. Now I never said I believed in higher beings but I'm starting to. Things seem fine. I turned them up loud and no problems. Did I buy self-healing drivers or was all that racket just their way of saying turn it down before something really goes wrong. Man, I lost sleep last night. What a newbie I am with the big stuff Cal Mark: What's become of your Selenium's? Last I followed, you had switched to the JBL's. How do you like the change? What's the latest? Some days I don't get to go through the links.

5th March 2004, 02:21 AM	#6
GRollins diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia, SC	At a guess you bottomed the voice coils. In other words, the cylinder that the voice coil is wrapped on struck the back plate of the magnet structure. It's a nasty sound. Some drivers are more tolerant of that than others. If yours survived, then hoist a toast to folks who design tough drivers and go on with your life. Enjoy. Incidentally, I've got one of the pro versions of that amp. I use it to play bass through. Once or twice I've used it in my system. For the money, they were good amps. I sold a bunch of them back when I was in retail. Grey

5th March 2004, 02:51 AM	#7
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Hi Grey, I'm not sure I heard the coil bottoming out, but there was this kind of death growl. Something like a dog being some over by a big transport. I am wondering if there's maybe something with the amp. Might have to take it for a high current test. Don't want to hear that again Smiling again, Cal

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