Why do my bass drivers shake violently listening to vinyl


Hello Gon'ers,

Help needed. I took the grills off my new Vandersteen Treo CT's recently and noticed that when listening to vinyl, the bass drivers shake violently, meaning the amount and frequency in which they travel in and out. Then I played the same pieces of music from Tidal and they were relatively calm.

Is this some kind of feedback loop causing this? Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks!
Joe
128x128audionoobie

Showing 1 response by clearthinker

Lots of helpful thoughts, but so far no-one has asked the right question.

Do the bass driver cones flap the same all the time, whatever you play, or do they flap in line with the timing and intensity of the bass in the music.

If the former then don't listen to Miller who says your home is being destroyed by invisible vibrations - stand on the floor in your room in silence - can you feel them?  Probably not.  Yes, you need to look at your turntable rig.  Try playing an unmodulated LP if you have one - i.e with a groove but no music. Do you get the flapping now?
You may need a rumble filter or to clean and re-oil the bearing.  Or to check the bearings in your arm can move freely but do not have any jitter.  Or to check the tightness of the cartridge fixings (go easy here though). Or to check the arm and cartridge are well matched and not causing resonance.  Or to upgrade your turntable and arm.

But if the flapping changes in time with the music then I am inclined to say this is just your analogue system doing its job.  You say you like the sound better than your digital sources, so what's to worry about?

Enjoy.