I’ve just purchased a N-cent and have noticed there are some light splits in the grains of the wood, is this how its suppose to be or is there something wrong with the cabinet? Should I not worry about it and get on listening to it? Unless it gets any worse. Regards Mark
I have a pair of Ariva’s and you can see (oh so slightly) the joining lines were the two pieces of veneer come together. I choose cherry wood, which seems to hide the slices of veneer quite well.
I’m guessing that the split you’re describing is located on the top or the bottom of the speaker (were the speaker is the widest).
Ring up your dealer is it still bothers you, and yes get on with the listening.
Brian, I know what you are saying I have that on my allaes. Only On the N-cent The top surface in some places is quite rough to the hand and has one big split in the venner about 2 cm long. and a couple of small ones also on the top and a couple down the side. The bottom on the cabinet seems fine. I will ring up my dealer first thing tomorrow.
<Elliott13>
Posted
here's a picture, bad quality but you can make it out.
Wood is prone to slight natural flaws. Looking at your picture, I would venture that the veneer has some natural roughness that is absolutely nothing to worry about.
If, however, you are worried, no finer advice could be offered than that you speak to your dealer about it.
My Black SBLs from 1986 have, or more accurately had, some roughness and even slight greying. I sorted this out with Antiqwax and elbow grease! I would guess that your veneer is stable, and is not going to deteriotate. Veneer can move, in relation to the structural wood underneath it, if there is a very dry atmoosphere, caused by central heating, typically, because of relative shrinkage.
I am not sure it is anything to worry about, very much. Fredrik
Posts: 10713 | Location: Worcester, UK | Registered: Sat 09 July 2005
Thank you for the advice. The picture shown there shows a split in the veeneer(but in the picture it just looks like a rough edge)The only thing that I'm worried about is, is it going to get bigger? and eventually more appear?
I doubt if it will move more. Wood does move over time, but not the lifetime of a speaker, I would think. In the life of a violin a complete rebuild may be needed afeter a couple of hundred years, so maybe not something to worry about with a speaker, perhaps.
Also high quality beeswax polish, tends to smooth any roughness, as I found with my 'so old it does not matter any more' SBLs. Maybe with a new speaker a word in tyour dealer's shell-like (orifice) might reassure you if I have not succeeded.
All the best from fFedrik
Posts: 10713 | Location: Worcester, UK | Registered: Sat 09 July 2005
Fredrik, Thanks again for the reply. I think what I will do is phone up my dealer for advice, and I'll keep the speaker and monitor over time, if it does get worse then I'll take it to my dealer. But like you said wood doesn't change shape in a short time, it takes an awful long time. Kind regards Mark
If the veneer is stable, I wouldn't worry too much about it. However if it is loose ie. it makes a different sound when you lightly tap the veneer with your finger nail, it may get worse. This means the glue line between veneer and substrate has broken down. Excessive swings in humidity will cause the veneer and substrate (usually chipboard or MDF) to move at a different rate and will lead to glue line failure. If it is loose and the equipment is out of warranty, contact a furniture restorer and he/she will be able to repair it. Keith
Keith, I've just tried lightly tapping my finger over the veeneer and in some parts it does sound different. (like a flappy sound)does this indicate the veeneer needs changing or speaker replacing? regards Mark
Mark, Take it back. The veneer has not been stuck down properly. A restorer can inject glue under the veneer, but you don't need this information. The product is faulty. Get them changed. Keith
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