Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Speaker Repair/Restoration

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Film Handlers' Forum » Speaker Repair/Restoration

Author

Topic: Speaker Repair/Restoration

Will Kutler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1506
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 07-13-2005 02:53 AM

I have a question for y'all.

I recently (finally) acquired my "dream radio"...the legendary 1938 RCA 816 K. I have yet to begin restoration. There is a tear in the speaker cloth, and upon initial inspection noticed what I think is a speaker cone tear. I do believe that this is the origonal speaker, but am unsure. Is it repairable, or does it need replacing? What is the proper method for repairing a torn cone? If replacement is needed, are there any recommendations that would suit an authentic restoration? I do have to admit that I have yet to contact any of the antique radio parts suppliers, such as the one in Phoenix, AZ, for parts availability.

Thanks

K.

| IP: Logged

Phil Hill
I love my cootie bug

Posts: 7595
From: Hollywood, CA USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 07-13-2005 03:26 AM

IF the voice coil is not warped and /or scraping on the pole pieces and the spider is in good shape the cone can be repaired if not too heavily damaged.

Depending on where the damage is located, Duco is good for the "cone" while Pliobond, or some other flexible cement is great for the edges around the frame.

If a re-cone job is necessary, Google for antique speaker repair places... there are plenty of them.

| IP: Logged

Louis Bornwasser
Film God

Posts: 4441
From: prospect ky usa
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 07-13-2005 06:00 AM

Will; the time honored method is Duco & toilet paper to patch a speaker, Since "black" is not available; please avoid pink!

Louis

| IP: Logged

Andy Summers
Master Film Handler

Posts: 397
From: Bournemouth Dorset United kingdom
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 07-13-2005 06:03 AM

Hallo there all

I have had edge foam surround rot on a few of my JBL control 5 monitors, and this presented the problem of bass not sounding correct due to decompressing or the air pressure within the enclosure escaping and the lowest bass notes sounding like an ole Vitaphone.

And since I repaired one by taking the edge rubber surround from another loudspeaker and cleaning-up the JBL control 5 this was for the centre channel and testing it with a spot frequency from 18Hz 32Hz 62Hz and 125Hz at different SPL levels, and making some small modifications due to a tiny gap that was leaking air it now sounds 100% like she was new from yesterday.

So what you describe is very doable and the cost is quite minimal too.

Good luck in the repair effort…

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.