Mesa 2x10 Powerhouse Speaker Repair

[Yetzederixx]

The 2x10 in the image below has issues. It would seem that the right speaker is blown in some manner as it makes a horrid noise that is exacerbated on certain notes. Specifically anywhere near the D, though it's pretty crappy most everywhere else. This noise is present even when the cabinet isn't receiving power/signal strangely enough. At first my friend and I thought it was horn, but I desoldered the horn from the signal loop temporarily and the problem was still present, though not worse/better.

This is an older model and rated at 600W at 8ohms, and it would seem a replacement speaker straight from Mesa isn't going to cut it as the new Powerhouse 2x10's are 400W which seems to imply they went from 300W speakers to 200W (I'm obviously no expert on these matters).

As I noted the horn, and associated electronics, seem to be in sound condition. The left speaker is fine. While inspecting the right the cone seems to be intact with no visually noticeable rips, tears etc. A side-by-side touch comparison reveals no noticeable differences in cone behavior while being manipulated.

Aside from being like 400 pounds the speakers have no models, etc for me to find a direct replacement, and Mesa basically wanted to sell me a new cabinet more than help me try and repair it. I really want the 2x10 to match wattage and ohm load with that Walkabout head.


I'm really at a loss for what to do next, or even what to ask. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Let’s start from the beginning. What is the impedance of your 2x10 and what is the impedance of your 4x10. To work properly with each other, the 2x10 needs to be twice the impedance of the 4x10. 4Ω 4x10 with an 8Ω 2x10.

 

[Yetzederixx]

Let’s start from the beginning. What is the impedance of your 2x10 and what is the impedance of your 4x10. To work properly with each other, the 2x10 needs to be twice the impedance of the 4x10. 4Ω 4x10 with an 8Ω 2x10.

Both cabinets are 600W w/ an 8 ohm load.

 

[Al Kraft]

While not the optimum way to get the most out of both cabinets (both being 8 Ohms), the Walkabout should be able to slam everything it has into that 210 and just have the speakers laugh and ask for more. I am a very surprised to hear that you didn't find Mesa customer service folks helpful as I've found them to be outstanding with every problem or question I ever had.

If I were you, I would call them again and be very specific about the help you're looking for. I can't imagine that if you provided them with the model and serial numbers from your cab that they couldn't either sell you a new speaker (with the matching specs), recommend a suitable/compatible replacement and/or recommend a Mesa approved repair facility to do further trouble shooting and perhaps repair the problem (which could be the driver itself or something from the crossover to the driver).

Good luck!

Edit: I also meant to ask about your comment that "the noise" was still there even when the cabinet wasn't receiving power or a signal. That sort of struck me as odd, bordering on almost impossible, since the speaker has no other way to make a noise other than being powered. I'm guessing what you meant is that the noise is present even if a note isn't being played. That suggests an electrical issue of some type to me and may be worth having a technician look at the cab, crossover and wiring. Mechanical failures can cause/lead to electrical failures and noises, but often a mechanical failure will only be heard when the driver is moving/trying to move.

 

[BogeyBass]

use the 410 and move on
the extra 1 to 1.5 db the 210 adds is meaningless sound pressure wise

And the if the tone changes it was just phase cancellations added or subtracted by the 210

any extra "watts" found with the lower impedance shouldn't be a issue. the thermal rating might be 400 or 600 watts but the actual power rating before 10% distortion is closer to only 300

need more overhead? use another matching cab or look at some 412 for single carry solution

 

[BassmanPaul]

Both cabinets are 600W w/ an 8 ohm load.

That means that the drivers in the 2x10 are getting twice the power than those in the 4x10. The 2x10 is doing most of the work - no wonder it ran into trouble.

 

[Yetzederixx]

That means that the drivers in the 2x10 are getting twice the power than those in the 4x10. The 2x10 is doing most of the work - no wonder it ran into trouble.

Actually the 2x10 wen't out solo before I picked up the Walkabout. Then I was running an Ampeg PF-350.

Thanks for the advice on the 2x10 and how it'd work, or not, together with the 4x10. I'm going to contact Mesa again and consider getting another 4x10 in the future should I actually need it. It'd be really nice to have the 2x10 still for ultra small gigs and/or practice though, or even to flip it.

 

[Al Kraft]

Those 600 Watt rated Mesa 210's are very nice as 210 cabs go. In my opinion it would be worth holding onto once you get it back in working order.

While I would typically not use an 8 Ohm 410 and 210 together, in your case there is no way (in my experience with Mesa cabs and heads) that the Walkabout, even if it were feeding its total 4 Ohm rated output of 300 Watts into that 210 would cause that cab any problem what so ever when used responsibly.

 

[Yetzederixx]

While I would typically not use an 8 Ohm 410 and 210 together, in your case there is no way (in my experience with Mesa cabs and heads) that the Walkabout, even if it were feeding its total 4 Ohm rated output of 300 Watts into that 210 would cause that cab any problem what so ever when used responsibly.

hehe, define responsibly!

 

[BadExample]

It should be fairly easy to isolate the bad driver, or determine it's not a bad driver causing the noise. For two drivers in an 8 ohm cab, you have either 2 x 4 ohm in series (I think most likely, but certainly could be otherwise) or two 16 ohm in parallel. Either driver should be safe to run directly to your amp. If parallel 16 ohm, they are wired + to + and - to -. If in series one speakers plus goes to the others -. If it were in my hands, I would make note of the configuration, then try running them both directly to the amp with the crossover out of circuit, then one at a time. If one driver sounds horrid alone and paired, you probably have a bad driver. If they sound good together you can actually blame the crossover and skip the individual driver tests. If you don't care about the tweety, just wire it to bypass the crossover and Bob's yer uncle.

The above is assuming the crossover does not filter anything to the 10's. There isn't a lot of reason to filter the highs from the woofs, that I can see, especially in a bass cab.

Beware of high voltage from the amp to and in the cabs. It can get dangerous especially if you have an open circuit on the output. That could happen if one driver has a damaged voice coil and it burns through under test. Best to get it to a qualified tech if you have any doubt of your safety.

I agree you should call Mesa. If the drivers have changed but the cab is the same size, new should work, but you may need to replace both. That may be a deal breaker. I think the newer lower wattage drivers should be fine with your head, if used RESPONSIBLY We'll let Al define that

 

[Al Kraft]

In my experience speakers have multiple ways of letting you know when they are in distress. A "responsible user" is someone who knows the early warning signs, before the thermal death cycle. of "more gain should fix my sudden loss of volume problem" starts. Just to be clear, I consider smoke, burning smells and "I had no idea a speaker could make those kind of noises" moments to be later stage distress and not an early warning sign. I hope that clears things up!