Concerning CLR Discovery

[jay mitchell]

Here's the QC response of the repaired/reflashed speaker (it had the wrong FW for MKII). Better than new.
Edit: As it turned out, the amp module in this speaker is an original-spec unit that someone applied a "MKII" sticker to. It had the wrong power supply, power amp modules, and firmware. IOW, nothing about the speaker was "MKII."

 

[jay mitchell]

FYI: here's a link to a US distributor who shows the 180 power amp modules for sale:
UCD180LP OEM
Their price is the lowest retail price I've found.

 

[Chocol8]

Here's the QC response of the repaired/reflashed speaker (it had the wrong FW for MKII). Better than new.
Edit: As it turned out, the amp module in this speaker is an original-spec unit that someone applied a "MKII" sticker to. It had the wrong power supply, power amp modules, and firmware. IOW, nothing about the speaker was "MKII."

Jay,

If I update the power supply and one or more of the amp modules on a MK I, does the firmware also need to be updated? My CLR is an original in the non-wedge square cab if that makes a difference.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Jay,

If I update the power supply and one or more of the amp modules on a MK I, does the firmware also need to be updated? My CLR is an original in the non-wedge square cab if that makes a difference.

Do you call it “SpongeBob SquareCab”?

 

[Chocol8]

Do you call it “SpongeBob SquareCab”?

No, I call it Big Black Boat Anchor

 

[paisleywookiee]

No, I call it Big Black Boat Anchor

Non-neo? I regret not ever trying one (CLR).

 

[jay mitchell]

Jay,

If I update the power supply and one or more of the amp modules on a MK I, does the firmware also need to be updated?

No. The amp modules all behave identically.

 

[RGB]

Jay,

If I update the power supply and one or more of the amp modules on a MK I, does the firmware also need to be updated? My CLR is an original in the non-wedge square cab if that makes a difference.

I also have an original and curious as well. Also, is the 180 amp less powerful than the 250? Will it change the performance?

I'd like to update mine too but if anyone can screw it up, it'll be me.

 

[jay mitchell]

I also have an original and curious as well. Also, is the 180 amp less powerful than the 250?

Nominally. Read on.

Will it change the performance?

Not in the slightest. The maximum SPL that CLR can generate is limited by DSP-based limiting, not by the power amp modules.

I'd like to update mine too but if anyone can screw it up, it'll be me.

If you want to use 180 power amp modules - this is critical - you must also change to the 180 power supply referenced earlier in this thread. Note that the parts for a complete changeover will cost a retail customer well north of $300.00 once you cover shipping costs. It's an open question as to whether that's worth it to upgrade a working speaker but a good idea if repairs are already needed.

 

[RGB]

Nominally. Read on.

Not in the slightest. The maximum SPL that CLR can generate is limited by DSP-based limiting, not by the power amp modules.

If you want to use 180 power amp modules - this is critical - you must also change to the 180 power supply referenced earlier in this thread. Note that the parts for a complete changeover will cost a retail customer well north of $300.00 once you cover shipping costs. It's an open question as to whether that's worth it to upgrade a working speaker but a good idea if repairs are already needed.

Thanks Jay...that answers all of my concerns. Sure do appreciate the help!

 

[Chocol8]

Non-neo? I regret not ever trying one (CLR).

Yes, the non-wedge are all non-neo and sometime ago Jay told me the Neo driver will not physically fit in the original cabs so you can't upgrade that part.

 

[Chocol8]

but a good idea if repairs are already needed.

You mean like the middle amp module with the chip in the upper corner that decided to free itself?

I could just get one new 180 for the tweeter and keep the two good 250's for the woofer, but I decided to just replace all three while I am at it.

 

[Chocol8]

Here is a heck of a deal on a Neo in the UK if someone is willing to replace modules as needed.

https://reverb.com/item/88151776-atomic-clr-neo-mkii-"FRFR"-speaker-w-cover-read-description

 

[Chocol8]

Do you call it “SpongeBob SquareCab”?

https://atomicamps.com/clr-active-cab/ This is the marketing on the square cab version. 46 lbs is a bit of a negative, but it sounds great. I keep meaning to remove the atomic logo and replace the grill cloth with some extra Fender BF cloth I have. They are so rare, if I did that, I don't think too many people would have any idea what it was!

 

[jay mitchell]

You mean like the middle amp module with the chip in the upper corner that decided to free itself?

Wow. Uhh, yeah, that qualifies as "needing repair." That's one I haven't seen before. It almost has to have been a production soldering issue. If it were simple overheating, neighboring parts would very likely have been affected.

 

[jay mitchell]

Update: I completed repairs on the second CLR some time ago, and the owner will be here to pick them up in a couple hours. Here's a QC graph of the responses of both speakers overlaid.


The above excellent match required no tweaking of the FW in either speaker.

 

[Chocol8]

Got off work early and before the boss came home, so I finally installed the new amp modules and power supply to my gen 1 non-wedge CLR. The heatsink only had a little grease at the end away from the amp modules, so I added more which made the project take much longer, including clean up, but it was still a pretty easy job with just a screw driver and needle nose pliers (to get the speaker spades on given the short leads).

Got it all back together, wiped it down and fired it up and she sounds great again! Seems to be running pretty cool but I didn't bother taking temp readings.

BIG THANK YOU to @jay mitchell for continuing to support us even though we are not his customers. I owe you a beer if we ever meet in person.