Is There A Ribbon Test ?

Hey Gents I am back looking for the answer to a question. I purchased a set of Carver Silvers six (6) of the surrounds on the woofers need to be replaced (big sections missing).

Is there a way to test the ribbons before I invest in the woofers.

i notice a spot all the way at the bottom of one ribbon where the foil looks worn and real thin to the point I can almost see thru it.
On the other ribbon a small hole about half the size of a penny.

I am just not sure if I hook them up will I be able to hear if it is the woofer or the ribbon (being I know the woofer is not going to sound right)
Is there a way to test just the ribbon ??????

Thanks In Advance
BeachBum

Toy Maker or DaveS should be able to give you a way to find out if they are still good or in need of repair.

You can test the resistance of the ribbons. They should be 3.6Ω or so for a 48" ribbon.

I believe DaveS told me to just hook them up without the crossover and run at low volume to check for problems. I think...

I believe DaveS told me to just hook them up without the crossover and run at low volume to check for problems. I think...

While you are in there, just pull a Rabbit trick and go active !!
Sounds like you have some work to do, and Gary is a good resource.

Called Dave S. Isn't this the time of year he relocates north ????

In any event I would like to hear what some other members recommend.

I have an electronic crossover i could use if that would be the way to test

Anyone have a ribbon that has slight hole and still plays properly ?? (fingers crossed)
I probally already know the answer but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Thanks to all that made suggestions so far

Try it the way I posted...pretty sure DaveS approved...just don't get happy with the volumn!!!!

Yes. Play female vocals and piano tracks at varying levels [a little louder, rather than softer to expose any possible issues]. It may screw up the woofers more but a direct replacement is in order if you really want to hear these bad boys sing. Disregard any sound emanating from the woofers and concentrate specifically on the ribbons. What you will be looking for is a rattle or buzzing sound that distinctly comes from the ribbons them self.

If you are having a hard time distinguishing between the ribbon and the woofers, grab a core from an expended paper towel roll and put one end on your ear, the other as close as possible to the ribbons and follow them up and down the entire length of the ribbon. If you notice something at any point? Play the same exact point of the CD/LP or whatever you just heard it at and see if it happens again.

When this is done, chime back in with us and let us know what you have observed.

Yes. Play female vocals and piano tracks at varying levels [a little louder, rather than softer to expose any possible issues]. It may screw up the woofers more but a direct replacement is in order if you really want to hear these bad boys sing. Disregard any sound emanating from the woofers and concentrate specifically on the ribbons. What you will be looking for is a rattle or buzzing sound that distinctly comes from the ribbons them self.

If you are having a hard time distinguishing between the ribbon and the woofers, grab a core from an expended paper towel roll and put one end on your ear, the other as close as possible to the ribbons and follow them up and down the entire length of the ribbon. If you notice something at any point? Play the same exact point of the CD/LP or whatever you just heard it at and see if it happens again.

When this is done, chime back in with us and let us know what you have observed.

Sounds like a plan I'll give it a try tomorrow and be sure to post back.

Again thanks to ALL that reply.

If you have an active crossover,
then by all means set the high pass for something above 120 Hz,
feed that output to your amp and isolate the ribbon input wires
and connect your amp directly to those.

Two things to be mindful of:
1.) Make sure your amp can handle a 4 ohm load.
2.) Don't crank the hell out of them because you're bypassing the fuses this way.

Although the manual says they play down to 22 Hz, don't even consider it.
Play it safe and cross above 120.
For this test, it might be a good idea to go 200 Hz.
I think they'll also have a kinda nasty peak around 6 kHz without the crossover, so keep that in mind.

For reference, I cross my 60" ribbons at 190 Hz and absolutely drive the crap out of them. Fused, of course.

What Treitz said is spot on about pianos and female vocals.
James likes to play Linus and Lucy (Yes, that Charlie Brown song.)
EDIT: Right click, save file as:
http://www.carveraudio.com/music/LinusLucy.mp3
It's a great track for checking ribbons.

As far as the hole goes:
I've heard of electrostatics having holes and playing just fine.
No idea about these ribbons though.
Half the size of a penny is pretty significant.

Hopefully James gets the surrounds sometime soon and you can get the woofers ironed out for cheap.
Then it might make sense to splurge on a ribbon repair if necessary.

They did both of mine and they take whatever you can throw at 'em.

FYI: the Linus & Lucy James uses is the jazz version by Dave Benoit~