Thanks for killing my speakers, and tone.

[MESA/BUDDA]

My new (to me) Randall XLT V30 4x12 was sounding.....off.
It just wasn't sounding right. My two other V30 loaded 4x12's were sounding thicker and more solid in the lowend.
The Randall is built great, I opened it when I got it and the consctruction is really nice.

So I decided it must be the unbroken in Chinese V30's, and I open it up to swap two out with some Legends to add some girth and tame some of the thinness.

Holy crap. The factory installed V30's had their screws PULVERIZED into the baffle!
Looks like some idiot at Randall used a hammer drill and just went nuts with it.

So, the speaker frames were all bent and none of them were sitting flush against the baffle board. The frames were all bulging and warped. WTF!
One of the V30's also had this weird crease at the edge of the cone, making it not flex easily or evenly. Double WTF!

I pulled them all out and loaded the cab with two V12 Legends and two WGS Retro 30's and sealed it back up.

The cab is a monster now. Thick, tight crunchy and clear.

Check your factory cabs! Especially if you have Chinese Celestions because the metal frames are weak and pathetic compared to Eminence and WGS.

 

[Ken Zuercher]

I can't see spending $130+ on a chinese made speaker. There are many boutique speakers that are better made and better sounding for less money. I use Weber Signature 12s and Legends. They sound great and are very reasonably priced.
Ken

 

[DeaconBlues]

It's hard to beat USA made Eminence speakers.

 

[MESA/BUDDA]

Yeah, Eminnce and WGs are tough to beat at their price and quality.

Any tips on straightening the frames?

 

[Prairie Dawg]

The only thing I think you could do is remove the gasket material and if only the flanges are tweaked you can straighten them out by tunking them with a small hammer and a piece of metal underneath like a smallish socket to support. If the frame is pulled out of true go ahead and try anything-maybe you can save the speaker.

 

[Koop]

I can't see spending $130+ on a chinese made speaker. There are many boutique speakers that are better made and better sounding for less money. I use Weber Signature 12s and Legends. They sound great and are very reasonably priced.
Ken

The problem in OP isn't the "Chinese made speaker". It's the installation.

 

[Sweetfinger]

The problem in OP isn't the "Chinese made speaker". It's the installation.

IIRC when Fender ordered a special design speaker from Jensen in the 60s, they got one with a larger voice coil gap because the standard speakers with the narrower gap were being mangled by the installers who would overtighten the mounting screws which bends the frame and causes voice coil rubs.
Also, the OP says "new to him". Maybe the previous owner, not the factory worker, was the one who wrenched 'em down.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Also, the OP says "new to him". Maybe the previous owner, not the factory worker, was the one who wrenched 'em down.

I agree! How could you blame a manufacturer for something wrong with a used item you just purchased. More than likely, the first owner swapped out the speakers and put the stockers back in upon selling it. Hence the overtightened install. Blame Randall? Talk to the person you bought it from first..

 

[MESA/BUDDA]

I agree! How could you blame a manufacturer for something wrong with a used item you just purchased. More than likely, the first owner swapped out the speakers and put the stockers back in upon selling it. Hence the overtightened install. Blame Randall? Talk to the person you bought it from first..

I did. Not my first rodeo. The original owner was a young guy with zero experience with gear. He didn't even know what kind of speakers were in it when I was buying it. A handle had to be removed in order for us to verify they were V30's.
When I removed the back I almost couldn't get it to come off. I've done this a dozen times and know the sign of a factory sealed back versus one that has been opened post final construction.

I'm also reading this as happening to other owners of new cabs. One in particular was a new PPC412 owner. Unfortunately, this does happen at the factory from time to time.