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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?

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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.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Get a great speaker like MAGICO!!
avanti1960
1,500 posts
 
I would not hesitate to use armor all if i thought the surrounds needed it.  i have some original polk monitors that are over 30 years old and show no signs of deterioration- but they are rubber surrounds and the grilles have always been in place.   foam surrounds will just need to be replaced if necessary.  not that difficult.   
don't sweat it.   
elliottbnewcombjr
5,563 posts
 
Age can deteriorate any part, cone, surround, you could burn a voice coil, ....

I have speakers with drivers made in 1956. The tweeter horns and mid-range horns appear to be bulletproof, 63 years old, still sound terrific. I do have spare drivers waiting (as someone else said, they were made in 1956 also, they just haven't done any work).

The 15" woofers (paper with flexible pleated cloth surrounds), this one

https://reverb.com/item/2307415-electro-voice-model-15w-alnico-magnet-15-woofer-new-in-original-box-nos

I had them re-coned professionally many years ago, have a spare waiting, and re-coned one myself not long ago.

Videos show how to do it, cost is minimal, the hardest part is scraping the old glue off the spider ring.

http://www.speakerworks.com/speaker-repair-kits-s/65.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3uboBRDCARIsAO2XcYCQUY1lUVYTubmOssOLwtflmQlsxhhxHHnNrms9nKalZrIaNGzk2ngaAqehEALw_wcB

Based on the success, I re-coned my Velodyne 12" sub, it went well also.

I used to think about 'sag', especially such advanced years, but there is no evidence in mine. The voice coil would rub, you would hear it for sure.

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