Help! ElectroMotion Rattle at 315 Hz and 400 Hz

[DiploJohn]

I bought a set of ElectroMotion ESL on eBay and am very happy with them except for an occasional rattle in one of them on a few tracks (piano and vibraphone), at medium to high volume. Using the Stereophile Test 2 CD, I have isloated the rattle to only the 315Hz and 400 Hz tones. It is a rattle that seems to be coming from the panel, towards the bottom, where it meets the bass enclosure. (I don't think it's the woofer, as I also tried this with the power disconnected.) I've also tried switching sides, so it it not an error in the CD source.

So, it seems I have a few choices:
1. Live with it
2. Try to deal with it though eBay
3. Pay for a repair
4. See if I can repair it myself

This is my second set of ML's and really enjoy them. (I had a set of SL3's I had to sell a few years back because I was going to move around a lot.)

I'd sure appreciate any advice the group could provide.

DiploJohn

 

[MrBT]

rattle? > loose bolt from bottom strut? > loose spike nut?. ML speakers are easy to work on. Set of allen wrenches and some patience.

 

[beek]

If it actually is those Freqs. Check the woofer screws too or the floor or sumptin in the room are you talkin disco volumes?

 

[DiploJohn]

If it actually is those Freqs. Check the woofer screws too or the floor or sumptin in the room are you talkin disco volumes?

Beek: Not disco volumes, just low-mid 80 dB(C) at 6 feet or so (sub-optimal room set-up....) I'll check the woofer screws. It looks like an allen wrench or a Torx fastener, or maybe somthing else?

 

[DiploJohn]

rattle? > loose bolt from bottom strut? > loose spike nut?. ML speakers are easy to work on. Set of allen wrenches and some patience.

MrBT: Thanks for the tips. The spike nuts seem tight. Can you tell me a bit more about the bottom strut and how to access it?

 

[MrBT]

MrBT: Thanks for the tips. The spike nuts seem tight. Can you tell me a bit more about the bottom strut and how to access it?

Now I see that panel railings doesn't go all the way to the bottom like most of ML speakers..... anyway, inside railing there should threaded rod and there should be nuts at the bottom ends of railings. See if these are loose and be careful not to overtighten!!!!. Also it looks like there are bolts holding panel to woofer enclosure, under woofer grill. I would check them also. Bolts holding panel to the upper part of enclosure can probably be accessed from top. Bessicaly check all possible nuts, bolts etc. If this won't help than you'll have to open up enclosure and look for loose stuff.... good luck