How Does Dynamic Mic Break - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: vidarr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 05:45:37 pm
content: My Aiwa DM-H15 IMP 600broke out of nowhere. I didn't know these things could break. I took out the capsule and connected it directly to my laptop and it is definitely dead. I watched some videos of the capsules and what's inside, but this capsule doesn't seem to be able to come apart. Can it be cut open? If it is cut open, is there even anything inside that can be repaired? The videos didn't show anything broken, or being repaired, so I don't know.Thank You!

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 05:51:25 pm
content: Usually the connection to the fragile copper winding breaks. The copper wire is so thin that soldering is questionable without dissolving it.

author: Uunoctium
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 07:29:30 pm
content: had a similar phenomenon with MDR-V5 headphones. Within a year, both drivers failed one after the other. High impedance. I suppose the reason was the glue at the point where the wire enters the voice coil.

author: vidarr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 07:59:32 pm
content: Should I bother opening it? I have a dremel tool that I can easily take the bottom off the capsule. I just don't want to waste my time on the impossible. Maybe I'll just open it for fun. It is already broke anyway.I remember I dropped the mic on the floor. That had to be what did it in.Thanks.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 08:09:39 pm
content: Did you use an Ohmmeter to see if the coil is open-circuit?The copper wire is very thin and fragile, all you can do it check the soldering terminations. New capsules are $5 so I wouldn't cry too much about it.I don't think you can connect a dynamic mike to a laptop, which expects an electret mic and gives DC bias.In your pic left there are two electret mics with red felt pen marking, not sure why you are showing that.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 08:29:02 pm
content: Quoteyea you can,have used bog standard 58's many times straight into computers,just don't try it with an exotic ribbon mic

author: vidarr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 08:42:31 pm
content: The mic was working with the laptop fine (until I dropped it). I did have to buy that cheap usb sound card though because the laptop has no mic in jack.The electret mics are there because if I can't fix this dynamic mic, that is what I am left with. I am trying to find a simple circuit to build them (help?). I watched EEVblog #611 twice and I understand the theory, but I still need help with the actual practice. LOL. I need exact numbers for the parts. I am just a hobbyist.Anyways... I'm in Brazil; everything comes from China on a ship, so it is like a month for a new mic. I need something quick and fast for work and I am writing this dynamic mic off. Laptop and phone mics just won't cut it (I know they are electrets too, but I can build something much better).Thanks Guys!

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 09:22:20 pm
content: QuoteA circuit to to what ?they should work fine as they are

author: vidarr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2025, 10:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on May 16, 2025, 09:22:20 pmI don't know, the video above is all about making electret mics (circuits). What is all of that for then? I plugged mine in as they are and it sounded kind of bad, so I thought I should make a circuit like they discuss there...

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2025, 07:28:01 pm
content: With just an electret mic capsule in free air, it will not sound good - no bass and poor sensitivity etc. It needs to be in a housing. Electronics can't really overcome this problem.You can measure DCV across the mic, should be a couple volts or so if the laptop power/mic input is working.