Mixing Drivers

[bri1270]

I know this is generally frowned upon from the purist perspective, however, I'm in a bit of a bind. I had my roof reshingled, and something happened to one of my Avalanche 18" drivers...basically, it now "clunks" and there's definitely some metal on metal contact of some sort happening.

The problem is that I really can't afford to replce both drivers right now, so I was wondering if replacing the bad Avalanche with an Fi IB18 would be okay as a short term solution (4-6 months) until I can replace the other Avalanche. Basically, I'm more concerned with safety of the system than I am with audio properties at the moment. Id hate to add a new driver only to have it blow because the other isn't the same.

Thanks

[darrellh44]

Have you removed the clunky driver to inspect it for decking debris that may fallen into it? Failing that, you might want to do a search to see if anyone offers reconing for your Avalanche. Also after removing the bad driver, you could just plug its hole and just use one driver until you can repair/replace your drivers.

-Darrell

[ThomasW]

Send the problematic driver to Scott at Fi. He built the Aves and he can rebuild the one you have.

[bri1270]

I didn't realize Scott was still around. And I was also thinking that by the time I'm done paying to ship the bad driver all over the place and for a repair, it would make more sense just to upgrade. Then again, Thomas is almost always right.

I did check for debris. I'm not sure what happened, but when you press on the cone from either the front or the back there's contact. This doesn't happen with the other driver. It's almost like it's bottoming out.

Should be fun trying to find some packaging to ship this thing...

Thomas - For the hell of it I googled Ascendant Audio and they're right down the street from Fi. Is there a reason you would go to Scott at Fi before going back to Ascendant?

[ThomasW]

May 15, 2009 2:27:54 GMT -7 bri1270 said:

Is there a reason you would go to Scott at Fi before going back to Ascendant?

Ascendant has never built drivers, so why not go directly to the source?

[bri1270]

Thanks Thomas, that's why I asked.

I didn't realize Ascendant didn't do their own manufacturing. Wasn't Chad the guy over there when they were located in the mid-west?