B&W 802 Series 80 repair

[luvdunhill]

if so, that's easy. You'll probably have to enlarge the holes, but easy enough Monkey if you need this done.

[Zonker92]

Monkey, what kind of feet do yours have? And what are your serial numbers? (You can use Xs for the last one or two digits if you like.) I'd like to start a thread, maybe, on the different types. I need to check my serial numbers, to see if they're higher or lower than yours.

[Zonker92]

My Googling is starting to make me think that the much-reviled connectors on the old 801s are different from (and much worse than) the five-way binding posts on my 802s. I found several statements to that effect in old reviews. When I get home I'm going to take a look at mine and maybe later post some photos here.

See this here, about the later series 2 801s:

Rather than utilizing standard five-way binding posts (as B&W does with their less expensive 802 speakers), they have opted for some rather poor-quality, screw-type terminals that just don't belong on a product of this quality.

[The Monkey]

I will check serial numbers, etc. this weekend provided that I do not find any spiders.

I hate spiders.

[Zonker92]

I despise and fear spiders, and we have tons of black widows around our house. During the summer months sometimes I'll have to kill three or four per day.

[Dusty Chalk]

[Zonker92]

Ok. I guess the first step will be to see if I can open up the damn things to get to the crossovers.

Sorry to be all over this thread; I guess I just had a sudden burst of enthusiasm for my speakers, and thus yours, too. Anyway, I finally looked at the schematic that you posted on page one. Did you see the second page of it, with the cutaway diagram of the 802? I was pleased to see that it had a basic matrix-type bracing inside. I also noted that on it, the crossover is at the base, way below the bass drivers. Which reminded me that when I turned mine upside down, I found that there is a panel screwed onto the bottom of the speaker. I would wager that (1) that's how you access the crossovers; and (2) the crossover photo I posted above, on page three, is for the later 802s, and is wrong for ours.

[The Monkey]

One of the speakers seems to be working fine. The other is not. The bad one sounds like the bass drivers are blown or not working or something. So I opened them up. I have some crossover pics that I'll post later. Fortunately, no spiders, but I did find something nasty:

That's the back of the bass driver unit. As you can see, there is some sort of white substance on it. I have two questions:

1) could that be affecting the sound or is it just cosmetic?

And

2) what the fuck?!

[The Monkey]

...or spider eggs.

[luvdunhill]

spider egg dust. did you inhale any? if so, you should have a nice surprise erupting from your chest in 6 to 8 weeks.

.. Or a new cocktail recipe you can share!

[spritzer]

I love the date sticker on the back of the magnet. It could be some dust from the damping accumulating on the driver. Doesn't look like corrosion...

[The Monkey]

spider egg dust. did you inhale any? if so, you should have a nice surprise erupting from your chest in 6 to 8 weeks.

I'm laughing because I'm afraid.

By the way, it's the left channel of the amp that's screwed up--not the speakers.

[Dusty Chalk]

Doesn't look like corrosion...

Really? I thought it did, especially the anti-gravity aspect of it. Looks just like a battery that had leaked and dried or something, though I realize this wasn't supposed to have batteries.

[wink]

As you can see, there is some sort of white substance on it.

.

I could be wrong but the thought comes to mind - Dusty Chalk - You think....???

[spritzer]

Ahh id did forget about the battery but there might be another explanation. The speaker is from the 80's and they did really like the white powder back in the day...

[The Monkey]

Let's just say I'm glad the speaker is actually ok so I don't have to open it up again. But I will post the crossover pics as a thank you to zonker because I definitely would not have thought to start by looking for a panel on the bottom (floor side) of the speaker itself.

Now I also need to start a thread for the amp...

[swt61]

Well that's one step further to resolving the issue. What amp is your Dad using?

[The Monkey]

It's an old Adcom GFA-2.

[Zonker92]

Aluminum oxide from salt air, maybe? That, or someone imported some blow using those 802s as shipping crates.

I'll be curious to see the crossovers! I'm gonna pop mine open too, I think, just for fun.

[kevin gilmore]

By the way, it's the left channel of the amp that's screwed up--not the speakers.

Whats this with left channels of amplifiers screwed up... Ask Absorbine Sr. for details...

[Pars]

the left channel is the Devil's channel.

You may be onto something here Reks... left channel in my brother's amp also went...

[Grahame]

It all sounds very sinister* to me

*Sinister

[Grahame]

It is a bit "gauche" I'll admit.

It could be worse ...

[The Monkey]

aren't you going to go ahead and replace all the parts, Monkey?

I'm going to smash it to bits is what I'm going to do.

[wink]

I'm going to smash it to bits is what I'm going to do.

.

High tech answers are always the best.

And it keeps the manufacturers in a job.