Need help with speakers (NOT computer)

[Dputiger]

Ok, I need some creative help here--if you can, think of how this CAN be done. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I have a pair of Advent floor speakers that were fully rebuilt about four years ago and given to me as a present by my father. In addition to still sounding excellent, they have a very nicely finished wood box--I'd like to keep them 'as is' for sentimental reasons.

So, here's the problem: I have a small tear in a woofer. The tear is right at the top, where the woofer joins the speaker, and is small--right around 1 inch. It follows the curve of the woofer and is more of a separation then a tear--as if, right at the edge, the speaker was just not connected for a short space.

The damage to the sound quality is not great--the speaker only 'flubs' at very low frequencies. Nonetheless, I'd like to patch it.

I know this is next to impossible, but please try. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif How can it be done? Think crazy.

[shadow]

Your tear is the surround separating from the cone and will get worse until patched so keep the volume low until it is fixed.
As for repairing it, use contact cement, silicone or Goop (great stuff that Goop, noting repairs vinyl better).

It all depends on the material the surround is made of. Contact cement will slightly melt foam, so if it's foam use Goop or silicone.

Once repaired, watch out for other separations, if the glue let go in one spot more may follow soon. If it's foam, it could be breaking down, literally falling apart from age, etc. I had a one go pretty well all the way around. It was repaired with contact cement a few years ago and is still in use today. I love those old speakers! Good luck

[captainjohn42]

go to http://www.partsexpress.com and ask on the forum there, they should know a good way.

[Warthog]

You don't even want to replace the woofer? I hate to say it, but eventually you'll have to because they will wear out. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif

Warthog

[drn]

nail polish works great i have done many times

[RataToo]

You can take them to the nearest car audio shop, the sun always does that to speakers so those shop are usualy well equipped to repair them, but be prepared for them to attemt to sell you new speakers too. Good luck

[tonym]

Dputiger,

1. Dispense some silicone caulking compound into the center of a small flat container (a paper plate will do fine.
2. Take a very small piece of thin fabric (an old pillow case will do fine, and the size is just ever-so-slightly larger than the tear) and immerse it into the caulking compound.
3. Place the coated fabric over the hole and let cure for 1-2 days. Make sure the resultant "patch" lies flat and that you don't have a glob of compound/fabric when your're finished.

The result will be as strong/stronger than the original woofer cone. I've used this technique since the days of 8-track tape decks on many speakers (I repaired stereos while in college lo those years ago!). The trick is to go slow and be patient!

Good luck...


Tony

[This message has been edited by tonym (edited 08-10-2000).]

[Dputiger]

Thanks guys! ( I KNEW someone on Sysopt would have an idea). http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

So, here's another question: No matter what I use to attempt to patch the woofer, do I place the patch BETWEEN the rip and the mounting, or over the top of it?

[shadow]

I would overlap the tear with whatever method you choose. I have patched alot of speakers, it's not brain surgery. Just don't lay it on too thick.

I put a screwdriver thru the rubber surround of a brand new 12" woofer when installing it about 25 years ago. I slapped a gob of orange silicone on the rip, and used those speakers for years, retired them, recently brought em out when I built an isobaric enclosure for the 2 of em. It's a powered subwoofer system with 2 woofers in the same enclosure, one facing the back of the other.

The repaired speaker still has that gob of silicone on it and is working just fine....pumping out some fine bass in my home theater system.

[mike L]

Dputiger, A couple of years I found a add in popular science or popular mechanics, that sells speaker surrounds, I had to replace mine before I sold it. hope this helps, sorry but I can't remember the company name. I found a couple of sites that may help. www.steppaudio.com (http://www.steppaudio.com) or www.rssound.com (http://www.rssound.com)

[This message has been edited by mike L (edited 08-10-2000).]

[This message has been edited by mike L (edited 08-10-2000).]