So my Klipsch Promedia Subwoofer died

[Xcobra]

Is there anything I can do? If not, then what is the closest thing to such awesome speakers (Klipsch Promedia 4.1)? I loved the sound but I guess they finally hit the bucket. Any opinions?

 

[PM650]

You can always get it fixed by a guy that does klipsch almost exclusively on ebay (he's also around (H)) or by a local electronics repair shop. My recommendation would be to buy a cheap AVR and save up for a new sub to use with it, and although this would cost significantly more, you'll have the option to expand with better speakers in the future.

Logitech seems to be the most popular option for 5.1 these days, but I doubt anything reasonably priced will compete well against the klipsch.

 

[Xcobra]

How are the Logitech Z5500? might as well buy new speakers. I think the reason it might have gone out is due to a surge? but then, I have a surge protector so that wouldn't be right.

 

[QuantumPion]

What is the problem you are having? Do they not turn on at all? Or does the sub sputter and die when bass is played after turning on?

If I leave my speakers on all the time, they work fine and have for years. But if I turn the speakers off for more then a moment, when I turn them back on the subwoofer will sputter out while trying to play anything with bass in it, even at low volume. If I power cycle the unit many times, it seems to start working again after several hours. I think it may be the amplifier needs to be warmed up or something.

If your symptoms are similar to mine, try leaving your unit on for a day or two then try power cycling it and see if it starts working again.

 

[PM650]

Originally posted by: Xcobra
How are the Logitech Z5500? might as well buy new speakers. I think the reason it might have gone out is due to a surge? but then, I have a surge protector so that wouldn't be right.

Tbh I have no idea, a lot of people with (working) klipsch promedia's absolutely swear by them, that's all I have to go on. Considering the Z-5500's price of $350, why not get the promedia's repaired? The guy I mentioned previously does bunches of them, and I think he can 'overbuild' them so that they don't fail again. Failure of any promedia set is basically guaranteed after a while (see thread), so you're not exactly in a unique situation here.

 

[bloodugly]

If you're determined to buy something new instead of paying someone to fix it, you might at least try to investigate the problem yourself. Could be something as small as a wire or solder joint coming lose. I've had it happen in a guitar amp before...bad solder joint made it a giant doorstop until I tracked down the problem.

 

[theforceunleashed]

Hi, I have the klipsch promedia 4.1s. A while back, the thing just died. I noticed the back plate heated up quite a bit. So I opened it up, and the fuse had blown. So I went out and got some more. Put it in, turned on, it heated up again, then the sound got all distorted. Tried a couple other fuses. same thing. what do you think could or would be the problem here?
Thanks

 

[wildwilly]

I am still using my original Klipsch Promedia 4.1s from when they were released. I've had to tape a few speaker cables, and reseat the backpanel, but they still are going strong. I friggen love them.

 

[PM650]

Originally posted by: theforceunleashed
Hi, I have the klipsch promedia 4.1s. A while back, the thing just died. I noticed the back plate heated up quite a bit. So I opened it up, and the fuse had blown. So I went out and got some more. Put it in, turned on, it heated up again, then the sound got all distorted. Tried a couple other fuses. same thing. what do you think could or would be the problem here?
Thanks

The only things heatsinked to the back panel in the 4.1s are the amp modules - you may have an amplifier fault. The channels are bridged output, so it is possible that half of a channel is shorted out, but the other half-bridge is still working, hence the distorted but working output (as well as the fault current causing the fuse to blow). Were all channels distorting, or just one? Was it producing distorted sound when it died the first time?

There's also the possibility that the SMPS or the DC-DC converter is malfunctioning, causing the amplifiers to behave strangely, hard to say really.

 

[Doomer]

My Promedia's are by far the best speakers I've ever heard. I recently bought a set of top rated Logitech speakers and was sorely disappointed. They were nowhere near the class the Klipsh's are in.

 

[2stepbay]

Had an excellent experience with this person, who promptly repaired my 4.1 circuit board and controller.
From my recent repair: (static and low rumbling sound from subs) - The problems you were hearing were from two NE5532 preamplifier integrated circuits inside the control pod, and some dirty contacts inside the volume control itself (mostly the former, though). I replaced the two ICs and was able to get a little cleaner into the nearly-fully sealed main volume control. I also then replaced two 47 uF 50 volt capacitors on the panel that had failed (one was down to 17 uF as I recall). The new capacitors are better quality low ESR Nichicon 63 volt 47 uF capacitors. I also replaced a 1N4747A zener diode that had seen plenty of heat, and sometimes fails. I replaced the two 2 watt 680 ohm and 47,000 ohm resistors Elliot had installed with 5 watt 680 ohm and 47,000 ohm resistors. The panel and control are working well. I touched up some of the rusted screws on the back panel (purely cosmetic).


Henry Koch
htkclk@juno.com
Prague MN

Repairs 5.1 panels and provides or installs cooling kits
4.1 Repair

 

[exdeath]

I am still using my original Klipsch Promedia 4.1s from when they were released. I've had to tape a few speaker cables, and reseat the backpanel, but they still are going strong. I friggen love them.

Yup. Use mine for my retro gaming. SNES on a Sony PVM RGB CRT and Klipsch audio = heaven.

Only thing I had to do with mine is fix the scratchy volume knob.

Fixed it by whittling a slot along the volume pot front to rear through the plastic housing (it's like a 5 stack and riveted, with bulkheads in between so couldn't take apart or easily access each channel with oil/cleaner) to expose the inner parts, and filled it with machine oil and worked the knob back and forth until it was crystal clear.

It wasn't even the static when changing volume that bothered me all these years, it was entire left or right cutting out completely and having to play with the knob for 15 minutes to get stereo sound. And never touch it again and god forbid you wanted to turn it up or down later... another 15 minutes screwing with it.

I had the manufacturer and generic part # of the pot too and simply cannot find a replacement It's like a 5 x 50k ganged stack with one shaft if I recall, 15 pins? Has to control master volume for sub and 4 satellites simultaneously.

 

[exdeath]

Damn it, tried looking again, closest thing so far:

http://www.westfloridacomponents.com/P145/20K+ohm+9mm+8+Ganged+Panel+Control+Potentiometer.html

Looks like the exact same make as the original Klipsch one, just wrong specs.

A 6 x 50k 9mm pot should work, just cut off the rear leads for the last one.

Then there is the shaft length, don't recall if it's extended or not.

 

[tweakboy]

We have Klipsh pro media 4.1. My dad uses it in his room. When it shows red the unit is in sleep mode. SO the klipsch 4.1 Got it in 2001 and its still kicking and alive.

The sub gets really hot, been like that for years.. You can buy the pro media 5.1 .. Klipsch makes speakers for movies in theaters. The logitech 5.1 is nice, except its too much highs,,,, thx

 

[fstime]

Yeah, those BASH amps were horrible as far as reliability goes.

Had my Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultras amp go back in the day. Luckily I was able to get a warranty replacement.

They sounded better than any Logitech product, that's for sure. Only the Creative 7.1 system had nicer satellites but the Klipsch sub was in another league.

 

[mespeakers]

Ive been registering at all of the forums where Elliot-Tronics has been in discussion so i can warn anyone who will read this about dealing with him.

I payed Elliot to repair Two Home audio amps (Klipsch Brand). I paid him up front $254.00, and $40 to ship them to him on April 4, 2013. He promised a 20 day turn around. After the 20 days had passed I heard nothing back from him. I emailed him April 30, 2013 To check on the status of the repair and still I heard nothing back from him. I Sent him another message May 7, 2013 and He told me one amp was ready, the other he was still working on. He told me he would finish the last amp and send them both back the following week. Again I heard nothing from him the following week so I emailed him June 13, 2013. He told me he was still working on the second amp and that he should have it ready by the following week. Once more I heard nothing back from him for several weeks.

I Emailed him on June 26, 2013, and he eventually sent one of my amps back to me on June 28, 2013. Once some time had passed I sent him yet another email (August 14, 2013) as he had not made any contact with me as to whether or not he was able to finish the last amp. He didn't respond until August 23, 2013. He Told me once again he would have it finished the following week and would send it out.

After about 4 months now of not hearing anything from him I'm pretty sure ill never see that amp again. I have filed complaints within his jurisdiction in Texas, and also with IC3. I recommend Avoiding Elliot-Tronics Entirely. As far as I'm concerned he completely failed to honor any of our agreement, and flat out stole my property.

 

[NickelPlate]

I am still using my original Klipsch Promedia 4.1s from when they were released. I've had to tape a few speaker cables, and reseat the backpanel, but they still are going strong. I friggen love them.

Same here. I've had my 4.1 system for going on 15 years now and they're still going strong. Best PC speakers I've ever had. Does Klipsch still make the Promedias?

 

[Hugh Jass]

Is there anything I can do? If not, then what is the closest thing to such awesome speakers (Klipsch Promedia 4.1)? I loved the sound but I guess they finally hit the bucket. Any opinions?

Kicked...it's kicked the bucket.

You're welcome.

 

[Doomer]

Ive been registering at all of the forums where Elliot-Tronics has been in discussion so i can warn anyone who will read this about dealing with him.

I payed Elliot to repair Two Home audio amps (Klipsch Brand). I paid him up front $254.00, and $40 to ship them to him on April 4, 2013. He promised a 20 day turn around. After the 20 days had passed I heard nothing back from him. I emailed him April 30, 2013 To check on the status of the repair and still I heard nothing back from him. I Sent him another message May 7, 2013 and He told me one amp was ready, the other he was still working on. He told me he would finish the last amp and send them both back the following week. Again I heard nothing from him the following week so I emailed him June 13, 2013. He told me he was still working on the second amp and that he should have it ready by the following week. Once more I heard nothing back from him for several weeks.

I Emailed him on June 26, 2013, and he eventually sent one of my amps back to me on June 28, 2013. Once some time had passed I sent him yet another email (August 14, 2013) as he had not made any contact with me as to whether or not he was able to finish the last amp. He didn't respond until August 23, 2013. He Told me once again he would have it finished the following week and would send it out.

After about 4 months now of not hearing anything from him I'm pretty sure ill never see that amp again. I have filed complaints within his jurisdiction in Texas, and also with IC3. I recommend Avoiding Elliot-Tronics Entirely. As far as I'm concerned he completely failed to honor any of our agreement, and flat out stole my property.

Thank you sir.

 

[Doomer]

I replaced my Promedias with a 5.1 Sony receiver and a 5.1 set of Klipsch speakers. Sounds just as good as the Promedias and adds a bit more flexibility.

 

[rhondas]

www.Klipsch.com

 

[DreamBeamz]

Stay away from Elliott-tronics. This guy is a total rip off. His paypal account was deactivated and recreated a new account under Jessica Sanchez. This guy has kept my equipment for over 6 months. Lied to me about the timeline, that I would get it soon. Tell me he's waiting on one part, on and on. The parts and my equipment were never returned. STAY AWAY this guy, he is a FRAUD!!! Do your research, he's did this to many people throughout the internet forums and he lives Cedar Hill, TX. I'm about to take a trip to Dallas to go claim my equipment and get a refund with filing legal action through small claims court. HE ignores my emails and I'm going to tell everyone about his POOR service. Go find another engineer or tech on ebay for your Klipsch pro media 5.1 amp repair. If you choose poorly like me, then you will be in the same situation. Research before you send anything to this guy!!! Look at the payment history.