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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
kgbspy
60 posts
 
I’ve read that somebody had bad sound from energy c2. the rubber was stiff. he applied rubber rejuvenation stuff and the improvement was tremendous . the speakers were over 20 years old. my surrounds do not feel stiff ...but i’m itching to use some to see if they would be more flexible .
https://www.amazon.com/Max-Professional-2145-Rubber-Rejuvenator/dp/B00363M0TC

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-408A-125ML-Rubber-Liquid/dp/B008O9X3KS/ref=pd_bxgy_121_img_2/145-1917440-8998167?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008O9X3KS&pd_rd_r=0bb7b184-9bbe-11e9-836e-f5a9254bf257&pd_rd_w=v043L&pd_rd_wg=y9L9j&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=TEDGS9TNSHCF1JFB4DSZ&psc=1&refRID=TEDGS9TNSHCF1JFB4DSZ
tdiem
1 posts
 
Just had my 1979 JBL woofers re-foamed for $180. They sound good. I've had this happen once before. So this is not a big concern. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Nothing will help foam surrounds. Keep the speakers out of direct sunlight. Meguire's #40 is a rubber treatment with a UV absorbent in it. You can treat butyl rubber surrounds once a year. 
larryi
4,090 posts
 
Drivers do not need to be replaced because the surround goes.  There are places to send them for replacement if you don't want to attempt that yourself using available kits.  I had my doubts about how such repaired speaker would sound, but, I've heard a few and they sound good.  There are people that out there that can do all sorts of repairs, including re-coning, and recharging the magnets on drivers.

I am sort of luck in that the types of drivers I have are inherently long lasting (pleated fabric surrounds for woofers).  The midrange drivers are compression drivesr made in 1939 that are still going strong.  
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
for rubber surround i use talc powder application every 2-3 years and so far they behave like new. Like giving spinach to popeye. Do not touch rubber surrounds with your fingers. I would avoid petroleum based products, they don’t smell nice. My Dunlavys sound and perform the same after so many years.
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