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Loudspeakers - how best to prolong their lifetime?

Another thread, regarding obtaining speakers "for life" got me thinking about the lifetime of our speakers. Let's assume, for the sake of the argument, that we have a set that we really don't want to lose (just what I own right now). Is there anything that one can do to prolong their lifetime? We'll assume that we look after them regarding the power that we throw at them and that we don't play them excessively loud and blow the cones.

I recall my first "real" speakers, which were Castle Kendals. After a few years in storage, following an upgrade, I went back to them to use in my third system. They sounded terrible when I connected them up and the removal of the grill showed just why - the cone's foam surrounds had disintegrated! I pulled the two sets of spares out, ones that I had obtained from Castle as backups, and they had also gone belly-up. My current speakers have glass-fibre reinforcement so I expect some longevity.

Is there anything to do or do we just have to take what we are dealt?
niacin
niacin OP
70 posts
 
Who changes the foam surrounds? I mean, do the original manufacturers offer that service or are there third party companies that can do it?
hifihvn
943 posts
 
I've had a local dealer do mine in the past. They did ok,but weren't expensive speakers.If I had some that were of higher quality,I may use a company that does specialize in it.One that comes to mind is Millersound.They seem to have a good reputation.There may be other ones,that people will recommend too.Link for them.[http://www.millersound.net/indexfl.htm]
niacin OP
70 posts
 
Anyone know of a company in the UK that would do it - just in case :)
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Hopefully,someone will have a place for you.If not,maybe start a new thread."Speaker Surrounds in the UK".Or something on that order,to get the attention.If your good at doing it yourself,some people do their own.They sell kits for it,but never done one myself.I'm always worried I won't get the cone centered just right,and ruin it.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
I don't know anything about this place,as far as buying from them.I'm just putting it on for the last resort,to give you an idea,for doing it yourself parts.Link.[http://www.speakerworks.com/speaker_repair_kits_s/65.htm]
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