Quasar GX3612 - Tweeters aren't audible

[Macdude443]

I've seen tweeters on many boxes that are physically wired yet make seemingly no sound. What gives? Are they cheap and die a young death? I have this Quasar and although it's a very simple box, I love its look and (almost love) it's sound. I wish the tweeters worked. Short of checking to see if the voice coils are open, which I'll do at work tomorrow, is there a common problem with these boombox tweeters? I don't see any capacitor in the circuit to limit frequency, though there is a 100 ohm resistor on the (-) side of the right tweeter. The box is very similar to the Panasonic RX-5010, I imagine it is just re-branded.

I've worked on many home stereo speakers and I've never seen a crossover like this. Thoughts?

 

[Superduper]

That's because they are piezo tweeters. No voice coil. They don't require a capacitor either. El Cheapo. The same type of device used in those talking greeting cards. And yes, they fail after a very short life. I can't remember one set in a classic that still works. My panasonic RX-5150 had those but I swapped them out for real tweeters. Sound improved noticeably. Even the bass improved.

 

[Macdude443]

I had a feeling that's what someone would say. Would any low wattage, 8 ohm tweeter work alright?

Also, they do work. I disconnected them, removed the resistor on the one and put my ear to them. You could hear them go on and off as I connected the positive lead. Still, very faint. I'd try using regular old headphone drivers but the impedance is usually pretty high.

 

[tshorba]

That's because they are piezo tweeters. No voice coil. They don't require a capacitor either.

They sound better when a cap is used and they are not given a full range signal

I had a feeling that's what someone would say. Would any low wattage, 8 ohm tweeter work alright?

I would have thought it is a 4 ohm box, most are

You can use 8 ohm but the output would be lower (I am assuming it is a 4 ohm box)
The power rating of the replacement tweeters (wattage) is not an issue, it is only a power handling rating and will not play any part in the output.
Speakers don't produce watts, they consume them

 

[Macdude443]

That's because they are piezo tweeters. No voice coil. They don't require a capacitor either.

Speakers don't produce watts, they consume them

Brain fart. I was thinking more along the lines of their efficiency.