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| REFOAMING WOOFER SURROUNDS |
- Old surround is removed and debris cleaned from
the cone and frame
- Dust cap is cut away close to the point where it
is glued to the cone
- Voice coil is shimmed and new surround is glued
to the cone and frame
- Shims are removed and a new, slightly larger dust
cap is put in place. Some dust caps are porous and some are not.
Replacement dust cap will be of comparable type to the original.
- Woofer resonant frequency is checked and run for
approximately 8 hours to break in the new surround.
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| RECONING |
| A reconing job involves replacement of all the moving
parts of a woofer. They include the cone, dustcap, spider, voice coil
and leadwire. This is the most common type of repair when the voice
coil has been damaged. Pro-Audio and guitar speakers are especially prone to voice coil failure simply because of the heavy use and relatively high power service. There are other type of damage including cone tears from rough handling that will also necessitate reconing. |
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| CROSSOVER UPGRADES |
| Most commercially manufactured home audio loudspeakers
contain passive crossovers that have been assembled using inexpensive parts of dubious audio grade quality.In particular, vintage crossovers have components that have been improved
upon in their designs over the years and they can benefit most by replacement with
modern components. Certain key parts in the series signal path to
the drivers could and should be replaced with audiophile grade parts.
In most cases, replacement of older capacitors and resistors will result
in much improved clarity and detail. Some vintage loudspeaker purists
claim the ‘voicing’ of a vintage speaker intended
by the initial design will be altered. This may or may not be true because this claim has yet to be proven conclusively.
However, today’s modern digital-based music media contains a
tremendous amount of detail that can go unheard with old parts in
the signal path. |
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| CABINET REVITALIZATION |
| Over the years, the real wood veneer on vintage
loudspeakers can become dull and dried out. I can clean this up and apply a proprietary oil-based finish that will make those vintage
cabinets look like new. Even water stains can be improved upon. However,
some can never be completely removed. |
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| GRILL CLOTH (NEW!) |
| I have located sources for
100% linen cloth, highly suitable of replacing vintage AR grill
cloth. Two weights are offered. Both have been measured and extensively
tested to ensure sonic transparency. Both are either tan or dark
tan in color.
1. Light weight – very open construction
and a lower cost alternative
2. Heavy weight – similar open area and weight to original AR
grill cloth. Premium quality.
Call or e-mail for
prices and free sample swatches.
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| CROSSOVER UPGRADE KITS & PARTS (NEW!) |
For those AR enthusiasts who are willing
and capable of taking on a DIY upgrade, I offer AR2a, 3a/x and
4a/x kits. They contain all the parts and instructions needed
to complete a worthwhile upgrade to vintage components*. Kits
include very high quality 15 ohm rheostats – not cheap
L-pads, metallized polypropylene capacitors and, if required
as in the case of the 3a, cost effective high value electrolytics
to replace those old, original Industrial Condenser Corp. components.
Original air core inductors do not need replacing.
New rheostats are sometimes needed when cleaning
of original, Aetna-Pollak units becomes a futile effort. I have
selected very high quality, US made industrial grade rheostats
for this application. Photos of these are available in my ‘project gallery’ section.
I use Solen MPP capacitors in my kits. They are just the right
value vs cost choice for these vintage AR speakers.
Note that components are also available separately. E-mail or
call for pricing.
PRICING (per speaker)
AR2a, 3 and 3a kits are $150 plus S&H.
Without new rheostats - $20 plus S&H
AR4a kits are $80 plus S&H.
Without new rheostat - $15 plus S&H
* kits with rheostats do not include a cover to protect the exposed
wiper. Plans to build a simple cover are included. |
