Refoaming loudspeakers

 

Hi!

This is pretty easy to do. You can get refoaming kits online, not sure about in Belgium. I use this website http://www.simplyspeakers.com/

I have a pr of older speakers I built and refoamed the 10" woofers last year. The cleaning process is very important, especially removing the old foam from the paper cone, making sure not to damage the cone. Also removing all the foam from the metal spider so the new one adheres very well.

 

As far as the dust cap, as long as it is not damaged it should be fine, you can also use a small, very small needle to pull out the dent, vacuum is the best though. Don't fret too much if it does not pull 100% out, if you choose you can replace that also....I never have though.

 

Good luck

 

JA-MAC in Portland Oregon ... but dang it you are in Belgium!

 

 

They re-coned my speakers 30 years ago, and did it again 2 years ago on my ESS-Heil AMT's ... and they are as good as new!

 

Best place I have ever seen, and when they saw that magnet on the speaker the dad told me ... wow ... they don't make them that strong and sturdy anymore!  I wanted to add a mid-range to the speaker and asked him if it was worth it ... he said nope. You already have one of the best for it, and breaking it apart will not be as good as it is together right now!

I got the replacement rubber rings, glue and checked some internet instructions (the company who supplied the rings has a 'how to' photo and video guide in their website), and I proceeded with my first refoaming experience.

It's not difficult at all, it requires some patience and careful work for removing the old rings and all the old glue in the cones and spiders taking special care not to damage the cones.

Fitting the new rings is easy but I must say that due to the lack of experience the aesthetic side of the job was not too good, I couldn't help uneven patches of glue showing up, some imprecision in the precise centering resulting in some 'wrinkles' in the rubber sight etc. I don't notice any problems in the sound but if I should want to sell the speakers I guess that the untidy look of the new rings may well prevent me from getting a good value, which is a shame given that the speakers are really good units (I said it before, they are JBL's).

When fitting the new rings, centering the speakers properly is important but it's not difficult if you have seen guidance videos.

Summary: it's not difficult at all but if you don't have the experience it may be difficult to get an aesthetically nice job at the first try, and this may hamper reselling the speakers.