2. speakers
  3. 1084049519

ESS AMT4: Worth repairing?

I have a pair of these which need refoaming. Does anyone have experience with this speaker such that they might offer advice as to whether these 10" drivers are worth the repair cost, or is it smarter to just buy new units and install them? The ribbon drivers seem ok as far as I can tell. From the looks of it, the locals here want about $110 to refoam the drivers for me.

Or, if repair makes sense, does anyone have tips on a good shop to use other than our locals here in Portland (well thought of, Fred's Sound of Music btw).

What might these sell for in good shape?

thanks all,

eno
enoe5c6
infinitebaffle
51 posts
 
You dont just drop in another driver and expect to get any kind of proper match with the existing cabinet ,xover and tweeter. $110 to refoam 2 10" speakers is about twice what it should cost. In Portland there is a company which specializes in doing refoams and charges around $30 ea. It is JaMac Products-8600 NE Sandy-503 252 2929
rcreations
158 posts
 
35.00 each here in northern illinois. shop around. kurt
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Please understand something I have just learned.

You can refoam a driver generically, but if you are an audiophile, it is important to realize that the suspension of a speaker is one of the MOST critical aspects of it when it comes to performance. It is what moves the speaker, and helps the music come out.

I recently had two speakers reconed, and while the gentleman charges all different prices depending on the driver and the foam he needs to use, it is key to getting the right sound from the driver. He looks, and more importantly "feels" the driver, and then chooses the best surround for the job. The end result will be the best music, as opposed to simply repairing it so it will play again.

Most of what is spent on good electronics and ancillaries is wasted on a driver that cannot perform.
More to discover