@johnk --
Would you expect new, more or less equivalent drivers with the same diaphragm (i.e.: paper) and surround material (pleated cloth accordion surround) to last as long as those older drivers you’re referring to? The bass horn drivers of yore are almost a breed onto their own that are rarely made the same way today (i.e.: with their typically smaller and lightweight VC’s and light diaphragms), though a few examples that are made today could be GPA, Vitavox and Crites (the K33E "clone"). Moreover, bass horn drivers are very often hidden to some degree behind the horn they’re loading, and so aren’t as readily exposed to sunlight and other atmospheric conditions. I would assume this also to be a factor in extending their lifetime compared to direct radiating units?
... system I am running as I type uses drivers from the 1950s 60s 70s all are orignal all are in spec. They sure dont make it like they use to.
Would you expect new, more or less equivalent drivers with the same diaphragm (i.e.: paper) and surround material (pleated cloth accordion surround) to last as long as those older drivers you’re referring to? The bass horn drivers of yore are almost a breed onto their own that are rarely made the same way today (i.e.: with their typically smaller and lightweight VC’s and light diaphragms), though a few examples that are made today could be GPA, Vitavox and Crites (the K33E "clone"). Moreover, bass horn drivers are very often hidden to some degree behind the horn they’re loading, and so aren’t as readily exposed to sunlight and other atmospheric conditions. I would assume this also to be a factor in extending their lifetime compared to direct radiating units?