Hi guys,
I was just gifted a REL Storm III which I will use as a pair along with the one Storm III that I already have in my system. Please help me diagnose the problem with this new sub. I have very rudimentary knowledge of electronics. I am good with a soldering iron, can identify the components on a PCB, can use an ohm meter, but no more than that. I am hoping that I can be steered in the right direction and that the repair might be as simple as replacing a malfunctioning part. The problem:
All the functions and controls seem to work properly, but compared to my other Storm this sub‘s output is much much lower. In order to get equal volume from both subs at normal listening levels, this new sub’s volume control needs to be almost maxed out; while the good sub‘s volume control is set at approximately one third in its rotation. I use the high level inputs and connections to my tube mono blocs has been triple checked and are correct. I have swapped the subs to opposite channels with the same results; the low output follows the new sub.
Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks very much; it is appreciated.
I was just gifted a REL Storm III which I will use as a pair along with the one Storm III that I already have in my system. Please help me diagnose the problem with this new sub. I have very rudimentary knowledge of electronics. I am good with a soldering iron, can identify the components on a PCB, can use an ohm meter, but no more than that. I am hoping that I can be steered in the right direction and that the repair might be as simple as replacing a malfunctioning part. The problem:
All the functions and controls seem to work properly, but compared to my other Storm this sub‘s output is much much lower. In order to get equal volume from both subs at normal listening levels, this new sub’s volume control needs to be almost maxed out; while the good sub‘s volume control is set at approximately one third in its rotation. I use the high level inputs and connections to my tube mono blocs has been triple checked and are correct. I have swapped the subs to opposite channels with the same results; the low output follows the new sub.
Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks very much; it is appreciated.
Frogman,
Different room locations of the subs could easily account for the level control difference you noted for "equal volume from both subs", especially if your normal listening levels are relatively low.
Assuming both subs are co-located for your comparison, dirty or open contacts on the mode or crossover switches could result in attenuation losses or a different rolloff frequency than indicated, exercising (or cleaning) the switches may eliminate the balance problem if that is the problem.
Art
Different room locations of the subs could easily account for the level control difference you noted for "equal volume from both subs", especially if your normal listening levels are relatively low.
Assuming both subs are co-located for your comparison, dirty or open contacts on the mode or crossover switches could result in attenuation losses or a different rolloff frequency than indicated, exercising (or cleaning) the switches may eliminate the balance problem if that is the problem.
Art
Thanks for your reply! Great suggestion. It had not occurred to me that it might be dirty pots since there is no noise of any kind when operating them, but maybe that’s it. I will definitely clean them and see. Not a placement issue, btw. I will report back when I clean the pots. Thanks again.