Help with SOV XS...

[seahunter34]

I recently purchased a used Sovereign XS. It seems to work, only the external speaker has almost no volume. Even with volume at max. When I plug in headphones, they have great volume and the volume adjust works perfect. But the external speaker reports very low- like volume were set to minimum. Otherwise the detector works great. But, if I keep it it's mine and I would have a tough time reselling it like this. I believe I can return it for a refund and that's what's what I'm inclined to do... unless this is how early SOV speakers are, or someone knows an easy fix? Thanks for any help, SH34.

 

[goodmore]

There is a third option. You can get Joe Patrick's meter mod. He installs a 180 meter where your speaker is. You get the meter which is just awesome and take care of the crappy speaker all at once.

 

[tiggar]

do you have any pictures of this meter??

 

[JHM]

Question you got to ask yourself is How much have I got invested? Minelab will no longer repair these models. In my opinion you got a $250 detector. If you got more than that in it, I would consider returning it unless your not planning on reselling it. Bad thing about it is it's one of the best detectors they ever made. JMHO.

 

[goodmore]

I agree with JHM. You need to do an evaluation of your investment. What type of coil came with it? Over all condition. Recharge Pak?

But he is also correct when he says you have one of the best ever made.

I will send you a link to the meter mod in a PM. Sponsor thing you know. I personally have two Sovereigns right now with this mod. It is expensive. But the meter always being with you with no extra wires is great. I chest mount. The meter is in a perfect spot.

 

[Neil]

I recently purchased a used Sovereign XS. It seems to work, only the external speaker has almost no volume. Even with volume at max. When I plug in headphones, they have great volume and the volume adjust works perfect. But the external speaker reports very low- like volume were set to minimum. Otherwise the detector works great. But, if I keep it it's mine and I would have a tough time reselling it like this. I believe I can return it for a refund and that's what's what I'm inclined to do... unless this is how early SOV speakers are, or someone knows an easy fix? Thanks for any help, SH34.

If this is your first sovereign then you may not know that the volume control on the sov is a target volume, not like on headphones. without the headphones in, try and turn up your threshold a bit and see if the volume rises as you do or check it over targets to be sure.

So if you were to just turn your sov on, just put the volume at about 1/4 up, then set your threshold to a slight buzz........then notice even with headphones on, if you turn the volume all the way up the threshold will not rise. hope thats clear for you.

 

[Neil]

Question you got to ask yourself is How much have I got invested? Minelab will no longer repair these models. In my opinion you got a $250 detector. If you got more than that in it, I would consider returning it unless your not planning on reselling it. Bad thing about it is it's one of the best detectors they ever made. JMHO.

JHM are you sure about that? There was a memo put out earlier by some of the minelab dealers that stated Minelab will repair any of their units as long as they have the parts. Its just the earlier units they dont have all the parts like the later models. I would think the speaker, if his is bad, would be replaceable as they should be the same on all the black box sovs.
No matter what the problem you have is with them a phone call to minelab surely is worth the time.
And you are correct, the XS was one of my favorite sovs for alot of years.

 

[Rick(ND)]

I too will say the XS is one of the best Sovereigns ever built. My GT is #1 and if i couldn't have it then the XS or the XS2 would be my next choice over the XS2a or Elite which some really like.
Anyone else notice it is hard to find a good used XS or XS2 and those you find are not cheap.

 

[JHM]

If the speaker is the issue I would keep it in a heartbeat. I would think you couls buy a speaker from mouser electronics. I actually like the XS better even though my GT seemed a little deeper. I have to run the sensitivity a little higher on the XS. But as Rick said they're getting hard to find. Personally It wouldn't make a hoot to me of the speaker worked or not. I don't have any intention of selling mine.

 

[tiggar]

is the Sovereign XS the same as the Musketeer XS ??

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Musketeer XS and Sovereign are entirely different metal detectors.The older Musky doesn't have as much value usually 150-200 dollars a lot more mild than the Advantage and in less demand.The Sovereign XS is a much better detector for use and value.You got me curious which one do you have? HH Ron

 

[tiggar]

I have 2 brand new Sovereign GT's .... I was so impressed with the 1st one, 2 weeks later I got one for the wife for Christmas....

 

[seahunter34]

Thanks All. Since the XS seems to work well other than the speaker and so many praise the XS, I guess I'll keep it. The external speaker does work, only at a much reduced volume. Perhaps that's how they are, but I still feel there is something wrong with the speaker? I will look into the meter mod. Thanks again and I post a few more XS questions under a new topic. SH34

 

[tomcatpl]

there where 2 of them on eb%$# y last week the xs and the xs pro i'm a ebay junky

I too will say the XS is one of the best Sovereigns ever built. My GT is #1 and if i couldn't have it then the XS or the XS2 would be my next choice over the XS2a or Elite which some really like.
Anyone else notice it is hard to find a good used XS or XS2 and those you find are not cheap.

 

[Neil]

is the Sovereign XS the same as the Musketeer XS ??

Thats a good point, these two might share the same speaker also. They have the same control housing and battery system.

 

[Rick(ND)]

n/t

 

[Rick(ND)]

I seen them and one was really high priced last I seen while the XS2 I put a bid on it at $325 and didn't get a chance to check it before it went off and see where someone over bidded me. I too check E Bay a few times a week for a used Sovereign, but it seems they have been selling higher than ever before, think word is out how good they are.

 

[jljkansas]

SeaHunter,
I purchased a new XS2A pro almost 10 years ago and I still use it almost every week. The very first thing I noticed is that the external speaker sound was terrible but with head phones was great. I never even gave it another thought, I had heard that the external sound wasn't good so I put on my headphones and started hunting. My Sovereign has been an outstanding machine and I have had tons of great finds, but I always use headphones.
If you can live with using headphones all of the time don't worry about the speaker, if you want to only hunt using the speaker, #1 you will miss some weak targets and #2 you will be frustrated and won't find the good stuff, so consider taking it back. Just my personal opinion.

Good Luck,
Jack

 

[synthnut]

Seahunter

I've still got my XS and also have a GT ......I use the GT more , but the XS surely seems to run a lot more stable ..... You do have to turn up the sensitivity a little more to achieve similar results of the GT, but STILL a really nice unit ...... The only concern I would have with the speaker would be if the electronics were bad , and the same low sound came from headphones when using them ....Otherwise I am always using headphnones to hear the nuances of the target tones , and I would tape up the speaker and not look back ....... Jim

PS ...You really should get yourself a good set of phones !!.....The speaker doesn't give you all the info you need when trying to hear faint / deep targets !!.....Jim