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The tweeter on my speaker has a crater...Help

Sorry for the long post, but I hope somebody can help:
I noticed today when I took the grills off from my Monitor Audio Silver 6 speakers, that the tweeter on the one on the right has a large crater, as if it's been pushed in by someone. Now I can't tell if my kids could have banged against it by accident. They are young but very mindful of my audio equipment.
So could it be something else that could have caused the tweeter to distort out of shape? I remember one thing probably about 6 weeks or so ago, listening to a Miles album, that it sounded quite horrible and the trumpet was screeching in my ears. After a few minutes I couldn't pretend to be enjoying myself and had to turn it off. I got busy and didn't think about it any more about it at that time. But today after I found out the problem, just out of curiosity I listend to a Dave Brubeck SACD, and I couldn't tell if anything was wrong (but then I am not very experienced on the listening side of things).

So anyone have any ideas what could cause something like that to happen? And what kind of problems warranty will cover? Money is pretty tight right now so this is very disappointing if warranty does not cover it. I listen at moderate levels, nothing very loud at all. I have the Rotel 1060 amp and the RCD-961 CD player and the Phillips 963SA dvd/sacd player.

Thanks for any help.
schugh
tomryan
794 posts
 
These things can be fixed pretty easily. I've used the vacuum method (very carefully and moving toward the tweeter with hose VERY slowly until it pulls out). Make sure no one is in room to distract you. Easy fix.
hammy
171 posts
 
Yes, the dome is cosmetic. Sound radiates from the cone. the dome just hides the center. That's why you didn't hear a difference.
mfkeleher
146 posts
 
Am I the only one to pop a dome back out with my lips? I suggest swabbing them with a bit of bourbon first to make sure there are no oils to transfer, then a friendly peck on the cheek of your tweeter and order is restored!
jdcrox
119 posts
 
Hammy, he is talking about a tweeter, there is no cone, only the dome! (At least in any dome tweeter I have seen).
John
bright_star_audio
179 posts
 
Hi All,

Whether the dome is able to be returned to the original shape will depend on the material from which it is constructed. Most Monitor Audio speaker use metal dome tweeters. Once a metal dome is damaged (pushed in or creased) it can never be reshaped to the original condition. A dome made of plastic or woven cloth can usually be returned to normal condition. As some have already suggested, a piece of tape can be adhered to the pushed in section of the dome and will allow you to gently pull it out. Other suggestions listed here that work are the vacuum cleaner (but be VERY careful!) or diassembling the dome from the magnet structure and reshaping it from the inside. Sucking it out with your mouth works most of the time as well but don't let your wife or girlfriend catch you!! Another method that works for a cloth diaphragm is to very carefully "catch" the center of the pushed in section with a very sharp needle and pull the dome back into shape (you should probably try some of the other methods first).

The dome of a tweeter IS the diaphragm. Its main purpose it to produce the acoustic output of the driver. It happens that it also keeps dust out of the magnet gap but that is not its main function. The rounded section in the center of most woofers and many cone midrange drivers is really just a dust cap. It is put in place to keep dust out of the magnet gap and motor assembly.

A pushed in dome is almost never covered by a manufacturer's warranty. You are lucky to have a good dealer that has taken care of you. When everyone here has the next discussion about the value of your local dealer, please remember this situation.

Best Regards,

Barry Kohan

Disclaimer: I am speaker manufacturer.
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