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Thoughts on extending speaker life.

For those of us who own speakers that are past a few years old, and those same speakers utilize dynamic drivers, what are your thoughts on extending the life of the rubber surround ( assuming that your driver utilizes this kind of design).
In general, as the driver ages, the likelihood of the rubber surround failing increases. Without actually replacing the driver ( not possible in some instances) what do you suggest to extend the life of the driver(s), if anything?

For those with other types of driver design, what are your concerns about the extended usage of this kind of driver as it ages?

128x128daveyf
desktopguy
388 posts
 
I have a pair of mid-80s vintage Vandersteen 4s stored in a closet since 1991 (no use since then). I just assumed the surrounds of midrange, woofer, & subs would be trashed. But I also don't know whether Vandersteen used butyl rubber surrounds or something else. Kinda doubt he used foam, but anything is possible. All to say I have some "skin in this game" and don't know what I'd find if I pulled out the 4s and fired them up...

The best thing I got out of this discussion is " suspension sag." Never heard that term. Now I'm thinking about using a speaker bra...
tlinkie
107 posts
 
Will speakers last longer if they're used only occasionally?  I have so many and I don't use some of them much at all. Is this a way of making them last? In my case I'm thinking more of parts like crossover caps and such.
bac2vinyl
78 posts
 
LOL! Just listen to the music already, geeez. Speakers last decades so who cares!!!! Rotating woofers, silicone hahaha..
phusis's avatar
phusis
1,228 posts
 
@tlinkie --

Will speakers last longer if they're used only occasionally? I have so many and I don't use some of them much at all. Is this a way of making them last? In my case I'm thinking more of parts like crossover caps and such. 

On the contrary; using them regularly I believe is beneficial to overall speaker performance and -longevity, as I suggested earlier in this thread. Cross-over parts don't degrade with use, but because of time (although it seems quality components can last decades and still maintain specs) - that is, unless they're glowing hot from each playback-workout. Poster @johnk summarized the matter succinctly above. 
tlinkie
107 posts
 
Thanks phusis. Some of my speakers are very fine and I do want to maintain them in as good a shape as possible. Can't listen to them all though. I guess this means I have too many. Or not....
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