Carver Audio ALS-III Speakers - buzz / rattle sound at higher volume

[JakeJacobs 0]

Hi All - New to the forum and can use the communities expertise:

 

 I purchased used a pair of these carver speakers this week from an original owner and overall am happy with the sound quality. 

I am powering them with my peach tree Nova 220 Amp + Receiver. 

Here is the question: at louder sound levels at just past the volume midpoint I notice a buzzing / rattle / scratching sound. From a lay men's perspective seems the amp may be driving too much capacity or potentially a ribbon or sub is compromised at the higher volume levels. 

Wondering if this problem sounds familiar. I tried the wiring using both the 4 jacks on each speaker and then only the 2 jacks at the bottom of each speaker with the same outcome. 

 

I am not a Carver guru when it comes to repair - Seattle area based and not sure if there is a local pro who might be a repair resource if needed.

 

thanks in advance for your guidance on this

 

Jake 

 

 

 

 

[zumbini 6,153]

Howdy Jake and welcome to the forum. Congrats on the new (to you) Carver speakers.

You didn't mention which model you have but ribbon buzzing is not unusual for any of them.

It's generally a result of slack in a section of the ribbon and there are several things you can try.

Here's a quote from the guy Bob Carver trusts to do repairs:

 

"If you have a buzz in a ribbon the thing to do is look on the back of your ribbon, there are four rows of screws. The two inside screws are machine screws (Philips), the two outside rows are wood screws (Robertson) that hold the ribbon to the panel.

 

Run the speakers and locate where in the length of the ribbon the buzz is by putting you ear about a foot away from the ribbon. You will be able to pinpoint exactly where (the buzz) is. SNUG UP the machine screws A LITTLE BIT (1/8 to 1/4 turn) at the point you have found the buzz, then go one set screw up and down from the buzz and snug them up too. DON`T THINK THE TIGHTER THE BETTER you will start popping magnets and that will more than make your ribbon buzz, that will make it non-functional.

 

If that doesn't work try GENTLY running your hair dryer over the spot BEFORE you take take it apart, this might work for awhile but is not a true fix,but it could last 6 seconds or 6 years.YOU should not take a ribbon apart unless you KNOW what your doing, you will just be compounding your troubles."

 

Hope that helps. Let us know how it works out for you. 

[JakeJacobs 0]

thank you and will take a look at this tomorrow morning and see if this solves it.

 

I do notice at times it seems to occur when the bass on certain songs are most prominent and wondering if it also may be the foam around the sub woofer that potentially has worn away over time

 

truly enjoying the ALS-III sound other than this issue at high volumes

 

Best

 

Jake 

[dcl 3,297]

I had ALS Silvers that eventually developed a distortion at louder volume-was it amp (M1.0t) clipping or woofer bad behavior? Most of the woofer foam surrounds had small tears (the cats were fond of climbing them) that became a nuisance at greater excursion. Eventually replaced the woofers when the tears degenerated to holes. Carefully check yours for small tears that might be patchable. Members can help you if you decide to refoam, buy replacements or try a woofer mod that has been posted.

[UncleMeat 1,174]

Please take caution about adjusting the tension on the ribbons. Adjusting the tension is only to be done if there is no other option. One thing that sort of jumps out at me is your integrated amplifier. It's a Class-D 'digital' amp, and while I can't say I know much about the different amplifiers currently on the market I think maybe you should consider trying a different amp first. It's possible the amp you are using has a resonance in the output that is not playing nice with the ribbons and/or it can't handle the difficult load presented by the AL-III's. Usually if there is a problem with a resonance in the ribbon it's a specific note present even at lower volumes, not just with the amp turned up loud.

 

[cuda 575]

Yea I was thinking the amp also just wasn't indicating clipping but I would start at the beginning, youtube Diana Krall and play some piano music at low to med volume and listen up and down on the ribbons for buzzing spots, gently place his fingers around the woofers to check the surrounds. If all else fails remove the binding straps and power the subs and the ribbons alone to find the problem area. Are these the black ones that where on craigslist in Lynnwood I wonder?

[JakeJacobs 0]

excellent suggestions and appreciate all the feedback. I welcome the you tube idea with Diane Krall and will pursue that today. 

 

Yes - ironically these are the black carvers that were for sale on craigslist in Lynwood . 

 

Thanks

 

Jake 

[UncleMeat 1,174]

If all else fails remove the binding straps and power the subs and the ribbons alone to find the problem area.

 

Actually I'd start with that, isolate the ribbons and listen for problems; but understand that it could still be an amp issue until you verify it with a different amp/preamp.

[mbskeam 1,994]

[h]buzzing / rattle / scratching sound[/h]

 

if it has the stock woofers, that would be my guess

as stated above, piano music will cause the bad areas of the ribbon to buzz