How To Fix Alto TS215 Replace the HF Horn Driver Tweeter TS212 / TS210

[@noterepeat]

Hi DJMarkP1, great video. A very helpful tutorial! For anyone connecting a mixer into these speakers, the one and only correct setting on the rear panel of the speaker is 12 O'Clock. That's the 'Line Level' setting, and that is what is appropriate for use with mixers. The only time a lower or higher setting is appropriate is if another type of audio source is being connected directly to the speaker input (i.e. an instrument or a mic). You can blow drivers with the setting either too low, or too high. When the input gain setting on the speaker is too low, drivers get blown due to the voice coil burning out. Voice coils burn out when performers turn up the audio source (mixer in this case) too high, and send clipping signal to the speaker. It is very common for the faders on our mixers to creep up and up throughout the night. Maybe the night starts with an occasional clip on the 1 / downbeat. Half way through the night, we've raised the gains or faders on the mixer, and we're clipping on the 1 and 4 (kicks)...then on 1,2,3,4 (kicks and snares), then on every beat (eighth notes too). The distortion from clipping in the mixer drives speaker drivers crazy. A driver is like a piston, it goes back and forth in sinewaves...but distorted audio is squared off waveforms. Since the piston motion can't produce a square, the inefficient motion is converted to heat instead, and eventually burns the voice coil. You can actually burn out a speakers voicecoil with one watt of power by sending distorted signal. When the input gain setting is too high, the amplitude of motion the diver (piston) is asked to reproduce is so high that it actually rips itself apart. In either case, I'm sure other users will find your tutorial helpful!

[@noterepeat]

Hi DJMarkP1 just caught the end of your video where you show how you're running audio into it. When using an iPhone (or any phone), keep in mind that 'headphone outputs' are hotter than line level. For this type of audio source, you should keep your phone 1 or 2 clicks below full volume. Then adjust the volume on the rear of the speaker as needed (shouldn't be past noon), and make sure you're not clipping. Hope this helps!

[@QuangNguyen-zf1fr]

Thanks so much for your explanation. Now I understand better. Thanks again!

[@izzyfloresofficial]

Hey man. You just saved me a lot of money. I can't thank enough for this tutorial.

[@DjMarkP1]

My Pleasure. Glad it helped

[@davidacton9668]

Thanks so much man. Guy was gonna charge me €80 in total for the repair + part and I did it in 15 mins with this video :)

[@taxmandj]

I decided to replace the tweeters and got a pair of JBL 2408H-2 clones (1.5") installed on my TS210 to be relaxed when using higher volume and maybe get a nicer sound. Side by side comparing one speaker with the Alto tweeter and the other with the JBL clone installed there´s very evident difference in sound, JBL clone being more crisp and more detailed. Good news for 210`s owners is that, since there´s no top handle, there´s enough room for virtually any 1" 3/8 threaded driver you want to use, even the bigger ones.

[@deejaynicotene]

Wait, what... this really works with no modifications?

[@geordiejames4203]

and this wouldn't work with a 212? because of the top handle?

[@eartraffic]

thanks. I was wondering how to open these as my woofer came loose. Much appreciated. Now I know how to get in and tighten it

[@izmar]

Mark, thanks so much for the video! Did you add more thermal paste between the new tweeter and the heat sink? If not, you might consider adding some to ensure the heat transfer is sufficient. Appreciate you putting this together! My tweeter blew just recently, and the new part is on the way. This happened right out of the warranty window... Of course! Thanks again!

[@joebrownband]

Do you have a part/model no. for the heatsink?? I went to replace my drivers and discovered one is missing the heatsink. Thanks.

[@geekyoyd]

Good tip on the B&D screwdriver, I'll try and get one in the UK

[@davewilliams4875]

Good nite love the video but one question what's the name of replacing Twitter you used?

[@MotownRockinroller]

FYI: Alto's newest model (TS310, 312, etc) has an improved neo driver for high frequency production (part number HG00640), although I blew mine last night in my brand new TS312, after maybe 1 hour's use (I have four TS310's and they have worked seamlessly for the past 10-12 months). The downside of the heavier driver is that it's over $75 to replace, and that's if you do it yourself (the replacement process is the same as this video).

[@RICKYMCCLEERY]

Thank you Mark Good Job. Speaker as good as new. Keep on Spinning tunes and helping us fix things

[@saulcantu347]

Can you repair diaphragm on the Alto 315? And if so do you have a video showing how to do it,

[@gareoke1330]

Would anyone be kind enough to link some bigger appropriate tweeters, from amazon or ebay. Ones they know will fit.

[@Drezonline]

Would the horn driver going bad cause the speaker to cut in and out?sometimes it’ll work for about 5 mins and then cut out and come back in intermittently

[@Dean-mq7wp]

Excellent video thankyou for posting, it worked, however mine didn’t come with a heat shield. Is it necessary and could u point me to a replacement heat shield like u have…Thankyou

[@chhouy1]

Thank you so much Mark. This is extremely helpful since Guitar Center as well as Alto (directly) did not offer any help but to send it out for repair. I have 4 of these TS215 speakers and 2 of them...I guess...blew this weekend. I was able to figure that out with this video by swapping out the tweeter from the good speakers into the bad ones and what do you know...they work. Now I just to order 2 new (HG00553 1" -1548) tweeters. Just can't seem to find them on Amazon....??????

[@DjMarkP1]

You can buy them from Full Compass www.fullcompass.com/prod/517861-Alto-Professional-HG00602?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3fLo7Lfq1QIVFRuBCh1ebQCuEAAYASAAEgIxavD_BwE Andy says to try Selenium D220Ti 1" Titanium Horn Driver (Part# 264-270) or the Pyle PDS772 1" Titanium Horn Driver (Part# 292-2520). both at Parts-Express.com - other pyle option is the PDS-333 - Someone also told me that they replaced theirs with a Peavey RX14. - be sure to read yanni Ville's post below on how to ad extra components to protect the tweeter.

[@fjcruiz74]

It happen to me on 2 speakers, I don't even remember how many times I had to replace them until I bought a pair of tweeters in Mexico 1000 watts, they are a little big on diameter but they fit and that solve my problem. I think I pay 500.00 pesos each.

[@raychardbalbastro5896]

Anung tweeters nbili mo? Anung name?

[@kaikorojas]

en donde compraste los tweeters y que marca y modelo son?

[@maranathashalom]

Where you buy and what brand is it? Donde los compraste y que marca son? Por favor gracias

[@maxastuto]

I have a pair of Alto TS 315s and I would like to put some tweeter protections (PTC (Polyswitch or lamps or PTC and lamps together) to find the value of the PTC (1Ampere or higher) and the bulb (12 Volt or 24 volt and 12 or 18 or 21 or 35 watt) I should know the real power of the tweeter. La Alto reports that it is a 1.4 inch (35 mm) compression tweeter with 350 Watt RMS power and 700 Peak Peak. The crossover cut is 2Khz. To me they seem exaggerated values, and so I really want to know what power the tweeter has in RMS and so how many amps does PTC need and how many volts and watts does the light bulb have?

[@elknrut]

Hello, thanks for the video... Blew one of mine and ordered replacement but wondering did you add or replace the heat sink paste? If so what paste do you recommend? Thanks

[@DjMarkP1]

I did not worry about the heat sink paste. There was still some on the heat sink. But if you want, it is available at most electronics stores, probably available on line from amazon.

[@gjrp18]

My alto ts312 have the same problem, is that driver the same?

[@peterreber7671]

Replacing the heat sink paste would have been a good idea too. I wonder why the tweeters are generally so underspec'd?

[@dannyb5874]

Cost of production. Yet I was able to buy some decent CDs for 30 bucks, 7x the mass of originals and can handle the 20W the amp is pushing out. Even the venerable QSC K12.2 has a 60 dollar woofer in them, and 20 dollar compression driver. The rest is just DSP

[@yanikbeauchemin9456]

I second Peter, adding more thermal paste would definitely help

[@eartraffic]

@@yanikbeauchemin9456 any white thermal grease like they use on CPU's, or another type? thanks.

[@CoffeeDrinker71]

Excellent review and demonstration. Thank you for doing this. Question, couldn't the heat sink be installed on the new speaker while it's still out of the housing to make it easier?

[@DjMarkP1]

I don't think so, as the space is very narrow. Thanks for your nice comments.

[@CoffeeDrinker71]

@@DjMarkP1 Ok, understood. Thanks again. I just ordered my replacement driver and will be performing the same fix. Your video was invaluable in helping me decide to fix this on my own rather than either paying for someone to look at it, or trash it all together.

[@taxmandj]

Would something like Pyle PDS342 with 4" diameter magnet fit? I have TS210`s that must have even smaller room for the driver...

[@dannyb5874]

Check if you have a handle on top. If not you can fit 4 inch driver, if yes, you can fit a max 80mm driver in there, perhaps just 76mm. Plenty good drivers in that diameter out there. B&C, 18Sound etc....

[@Brian_P]

@@dannyb5874 Hey I'm not crazy into speaker specs. I have the ts212's and love the way they sound. Did some lower volume gigs worked great. Did a mud drag played music for 3 hrs and as soon as the announcer showed he said about 3 words an drivers blew. Could you post a couple good upgrade options for the high freq drivers. Love the speakers I think they sound better overall than a lot of more expensive speakers. I just need them to be dependable. I have no issue spending good money if it makes me more confident in using them. Thanks

[@dannyb5874]

@@Brian_P what also fits is a Selenium/JBL 202Ti driver. DO NOT mix it up with the 220Ti. That one has too big a diameter. D202Ti fits without mods and should last. I would also buy an atenuator for highs, 50 or 100W one. PE should have them. You might need to pad the tweeter down a bit.

[@Brian_P]

@@dannyb5874 Thanks I looked up the driver's I'll probably order them. Looked up the atenuator on PE and I have no idea. I've never even heard of such thing. I'll have to do some research to figure out how to use them where to put them ect.

[@dannyb5874]

@@Brian_P there you go..... www.parts-express.com/speaker-l-pad-attenuator-100w-mono-1-shaft-8-ohm--260-265 It comes with a connection diagram, very easy. This will help match the Selenium to the woofer, if its more sensitive than the original driver (which I presume is, because original driver is a $5 piece of crap)

[@kadyokarding]

Thanks DJMARKPI ! helped me a lot !

[@villapinstriping]

Thanks so much for this video, helped me out a lot!

[@trevronson5801]

Hi does anyone know if it’s the same process for the ALTO TX15? The speaker looks very similar. Thanks

[@izzyfloresactor]

Hey man, would you know of a reliable better Tweeter I can use instead of this Alto junk Tweeter? I used my speaker to sing with, I also run mp3 music. I had them fix three times.. ENOUGH!!! But would you know??? Much appreciated

[@notforkeeps5791]

what size heat sink is required? my magnet came out of the tweeter with heat sink attached and i havent been able to unscrew the heat sink. gonna order new driver but also will need a heat sink.

[@DjMarkP1]

The heat sink screws directly onto the back of the Driver. If you a different driver, you may not need one. Just twist to the left.

[@harvey2412shell]

Brilliant they cost a fortune to get fixed

[@fermd9357]

Thanks for this video. The tweeters on my TS212s went bad at my gig last night; how embarrassing! Luckily I have 1 month left on the warranty, but now I know that it’s a relatively easy fix if/when it happens again. Did Alto reimburse you for the faulty drivers?

[@MsMusiclovertoo]

I emailed Alto and never got an email back from them. But I didn't send them in for repair, as the cost of shipping would have been more then buying a tweeter and I didn't have the time to wait, Need them

[@bettermetalsnake95]

One of my inputs on my Alto TS312 works and the other does not work any more. What would you do to remedy this?

[@johnnynick3621]

Buy a different brand speaker. I had exactly the same problem 2 weeks after I bought Altos and Guitar Center said they would NOT repair or replace them because...and I quote..."These are NOT meant to be Professional Speakers." I used the second channel for a few months and the the HF horn driver went out on the speaker. After years of buying gear from them I have decided NEVER to buy anything from Guitar Center again. Alto's are great sounding speakers but they are EXTREMELY unreliable.

[@pree3431]

are the lines on your alto's mono or stereo i have the 115a version nobody can tell me each line mono or stereo

[@DjMarkP1]

It is a single speaker, so both inputs are mono. If you have two lines you could hook up one channel to each of the two inputs. These speakers are designed to be used in pairs. so normally the right channel is one speaker and the left is the 2nd.

[@yanniville4325]

well i think in order not to burn the coil of your tweeter, i suggest to put (1mfd/50V non polar capacitor and 10 ohms/5 watts resistor. just connect them in series to positive side of your tweeter in order to protect the tweeter coil. because when turn up the volume over 12 0'clock the voltage increases and the coil will overheat. hope this helps. btw i have alto ts212 and installed capacitor and resistors on both tweeters for protection and still working without any damage from my tweeters.

[@DjMarkP1]

Thanks for the tip, I've been keeping an eye on the red clip light and trying not to let it stay on brightly and haven't blown any more tweeters since.

[@eartraffic]

I WISH I knew how to do what you just said. No idea :) However, I keep the volume at between 10 and 11 o clock now. hope that helps

[@shadrackmuwangi]

Hey, where did you buy your "HF Horn Drivers Alto TS215s" at?

[@DjMarkP1]

I stated in the video. think it was full compass audio

[@alexmoorejr424]

Do you know what kind of tweeter I would need for a ts315

[@DjMarkP1]

I don't know if it is the same or not. Sorry, I don't own one.

[@mrfritzgabriel107]

I'm about to order mine too for my TS212

[@Donotcomplyever]

great video...my heat sync has fell off after i dropped my speaker...is this fixable

[@DjMarkP1]

The screw is super short, you should be able to screw it back in if not go to the hardware store and get a slightly longer one

[@Donotcomplyever]

DjMarkP1 unfortunately the tweeter has snapped off with the heat sink still attached. I have sent off for a new tweeter and some transducer paste. Is there any more reliable tweeters out there that would fit the alto ts215??

[@DjMarkP1]

Where did the tweeter snap off are the threads still in the whole of the horn? It is a standard 1" thread as far as I know, the problem is if the horn driver is too big, it won't fit in the space between the top handle and the horn. Read the other postings, below there are several parts that will fit if the horn casing threads are still working.

[@Donotcomplyever]

i was able to take the tweeter out..the threads are all still intact so i have ordered another tweeter and some transducer paste. i guess i will have to have the volume down a little.. that sucks lol.

[@kingroperproductions2772]

Thanks this helped me a lot.

[@anthonygoines1466]

Thank you so much for this

[@daniel5h465]

i don't understand how people blow there tweeters on these I've had mine just over 2 years and played them super loud one time i had them going at max just before clipping for about 7 hours and there still fine speakers have a clip light for a reason

[@DjMarkP1]

I have not blown a tweeter since this video. I make sure the clip green light doesn't stay on bright. only blinks on and off a little.

[@openeye329]

Hi Mark Thank you so much from a dj in Ireland. I was able to order the drivers in Europe from SBS Audio Visual in the UK. The link to the product is sbsav.co.uk/shop/83184-alto-ts210-ts212-ts215-replacement-tweeter.html I would like to point out that the part numbers were different to both numbers you showed, but the product, combined with your wonderful video has my speakers up and running great again. I got 18 months from mine before they blew because of a dodgy mike.

[@G.SpotFPV]

no more problem with the hg00602?

[@ronaldgreen2252]

where can I find the tweeters at minds blew out

[@DjMarkP1]

HI Ron, I bought mine from Fullcompass www.fullcompass.com/prod/517861-Alto-Professional-HG00602 you can also buy them on Amazon.com for $35 + $10 shipping - search for HG00602

[@ronaldgreen2252]

thanks you so much

[@walterwells1161]

Thanks for the video 👍🏼

[@ericgustin3386]

the reason you blew your horn is because you went past 12 oclock. if you look at the graphic on the dial, 12 oclock is the end of the line level input. after 12 it starts over as mic input. and mic input has a 20 db boost for microphones to be plugged in without a mixer preamp. its a bad design on altos part. should have had 2 seperate knobs.

[@dannyb5874]

Also during SWITCH ON he just pulls the signal cable, from speaker and source. Creating huge spikes.

[@djalbertomixloberia6171]

Hola de cuántos rms es ese driver que trae esa caja

[@seanwilliams6944]

I keep my speaker gain inbetween 10-11 oclock and I still burned my tweeter.

[@DjMarkP1]

you have to watch the clip light, It if stays on you will blow the speaker in no time. It should only be turned up to the point where it blinks lightly on the beat.

[@malcolmcoote141]

Great mine have blown.Cheers...

[@dannyb5874]

If people think these speakers have 1250W or 1500W or even 2000W...yeah right. In your wet dreams. The amp draws 450W from the mains at full, efficiency is perhaps at 30%. Forget all this gazillion watts nonsense. More important is efficiency and sensitivity per 2.84V input. I suspect the TS212 is like 20W highs, 90W lows. Just got hold of Pyle 1" CD and B&C 1" CD, one as a cost effective solution for others, the more expensive one for my self (7 speakers to change the highs). I cant run them with the knowledge I have some 20gram 5W Neo tweeters in them :)

[@Beto1Jalisco]

If my alto speaker doesn’t make any noise but turns on does that mean my tweeters are blown out? I can’t eat any sound at all

[@DjMarkP1]

if no sound at all, It is not the tweeter, it's either a connection or the amp. If you had bass but no high end, sound was mushy then it would be the tweeter.

[@Beto1Jalisco]

DjMarkP1 I can hear it when it turns on but no sound off mic or anything. I was playing it yesterday with my alto subwoofer and this morning it wasn’t working. I can’t figure out to find the problem

[@BlipzCCG]

Thank you good video!

[@Ulane71]

Salut quelqu'un peut expliquer en français de quoi il s'agit?Car j'ai acheter ces enceintes et j'ai fais 1 soirée.Résultat j'ai une enceinte qui perd de sa puissance une fois chaude. Help me

[@nghtryde8396]

that's a small magnet :( well..for the price you won't expect much.[the woofer]

[@buffaloin3603]

Dude this is hilarious. “Whether you turn it up at one end or the other”. Hahaha. Learn gain staging because it’s NOT the same

[@jonathankeenan80]

Don't bother replacing the tweeter with a replacement alto tweeter!!! Those tweeters are garbage they are only rated for 30 watts rms but the amplifier puts out 200 watts rms just go for a thrid party tweeter.

[@DjMarkP1]

Thanks for the tip Jonathan, do you know a brand or a part number of a replacement tweeter that will fit?

[@jonathankeenan80]

not sure look at parts express they have a lot of speaker drivers

[@qianasdad1413]

Yes but most of the horn drivers at to thick to fit in the limited space. I'll call them and see what they recommend, I have bought from them many times in the past.

[@jonathankeenan80]

let me know which ones they recommend

[@rodvanbeek5665]

I wouldn't use a different tweeter. Anything else you use will sound completely different. These are great sounding speakers... a different horn driver will change that entirely.

[@alpoulin1]

That is one whimpy compression driver lol

[@GEORGETKARAM]

You are at risk when using this quality

[@idovideo9738]

Alto are the worst speakers I have had. Very bad speakers. Dont buy them. Even thu you change the tweeter it will broke in less than 5 used of speaker

[@jazztaprasta]

I replaced it with Peavey RX14

[@fermd9357]

Людмил Пепеляшки did you have to make any modifications for this to work?

[@jazztaprasta]

A question of personal choice