Has anyone opened up their Splawn 4x12?

[Tonelover]

I just received some Weber Beam Blockers to try out and they need to go on the front of the speaker baffle. I've never opened my Splawn 4x12 before and am just wondering, do I have to go in through the back and basically disassemble everything to get to the front of the baffle, or is there an easier way through the front. Doesn't look like there is but I wanted to ask in case anyone had any tips or tricks that I should know about. Thanks!

 

[PaulyPanacea]

Your going to have to disassemble unless you wanna real project on your hands.

 

[alxdgr8]

If the speakers are rear mounted then it's probably a wrapped baffle and would require removing the speakers.

 

[Tonelover]

Thanks for the responses. I am returning the beam blockers unopened. I got the back off, the handles need to be unscrewed, there are wooden blocks nailed in all over holding the baffle in place, not to mention a multitude of screws to get the baffle removed and then more for the speakers. Holy crap what a hassle. It ain't worth the trouble! On the plus side, I am pleased to see that the cabinet is built quite well. Oh well.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Put some tape on the grillcloth over the dust cap. Painters tape wont leave any residue

A cheap alternative

 

[Tonelover]

Sound like a good plan to me!

 

[BeZo]

Wouldn't it work if you just put them between the speakers and the baffle? Do they have to put them in front of the baffle? How would you even use them with a front loading cab?

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

I'm confused. The ones I have fit between the speaker and baffle. The gasket should mold around the arms of the Beam Blocker. Who told you they go on the front of the baffle?

 

[Tonelover]

I don't know, every picture I've seen with them installed shows them on the front of the baffle so I had a one track mind that's how they went. My thinking was that being on the back of the baffle would put them too close to the cone or something. I'll call them today and ask. Their website has a diagram for suggested front load installation that uses a few washers to give the needed clearance, but again, I'm dealing with rear loaded here.

 

[atrox]

You put them between the speaker gasket and the baffle. So it doesn't matter if your speaker is front mounted or rear mounted. You just take the speaker out, place the Beam Blocker where you want it and then install the speaker. The BB should always be between the speaker and baffle.

been using them for years

 

[Tonelover]

OK, I'm an idiot. Looking at this picture from the Weber site does indeed show them between the speaker and baffle for rear mounted speakers. But their diagram does not put the blocker between the speaker and baffle on front loaded configurations. Not saying it won't work, just pointing it out. Guess I won't return them, and boy do I feel stupid. Well, it's not the first time and won't be the last.

http://www.webervst.com/blocker.html

 

[atrox]

OK, I'm an idiot. Looking at this picture from the Weber site does indeed show them between the speaker and baffle for rear mounted speakers. But their diagram does not put the blocker between the speaker and baffle on front loaded configurations. Not saying it won't work, just pointing it out. Guess I won't return them, and boy do I feel stupid. Well, it's not the first time and won't be the last.

http://www.webervst.com/blocker.html

Haha.. yeah. That is my dumb mistake. Obviously you can't put the blocker between the speaker and baffle on front loaded. I wasn't thinking clearly there. Just don't have any front loaded cabs. Anyway, yeah. What I should have said is that the BB should always go directly in front of the speaker... which in a rear mounted situation is where the speaker gasket is. On front loaded speakers, they would go between the nuts/bolts and the speaker.

 

[Tonelover]

OK, after that manic episode I got the beam blockers installed and all is well. I wanted to report that they really do work their intended purpose and are just what the doctor ordered for my particular setup. I run high on the presence and treble, in front of the cab gets very sharp and piercing. I personally enjoy that sound to an extent but can understand if it's a bit much for many observers and the wide range of tone I get when walking all around can be drastic as you know. People straight in front of it need to move while those on the sides can hardly hear it. Well, these beam blockers seem to do a very good job of taming that pierce, and the cab is WAY more consistent as I walk around my room. Keep in mind that it's a 4x12 and I only installed them on the top two speakers so I'm still getting a mix of blocked and non-blocked tone from it and the piercing is down below ear level now. It does make the cab sound slightly more throaty but I didn't need to adjust my tone controls at all to enjoy what I'm hearing. It is still plenty crunchy and aggressive with no real volume loss or anything.

Not to diminish the other methods of performing the same function, but I will attest that the Weber Beam blockers are definitely not snake oil like many products that are discussed within our circles. Very interesting....