Ohm Walsh F Hope of Resurrection

This is not an equivalent to the new, HHR Exotic version TLS-1. I was told directly by Dale that there are dozens, literally, of changes to the new design. So, don't think you would get the new one for half price; you won't. There are aspects of the refurb that are not on the level of the HHR Exotic version. 

Still, were I in the market for a speaker change, I might do it. I was also considering a review of the new version, but he said he cannot afford to build for review; he only builds for orders. I understand that when it's a small shop and custom product. So, there's no review coming; sorry. I think it would make for a compelling article, something quite different, but not all review ideas work out between the needs of the manufacturer and the reviewer. This is one of the difficulties of smaller businesses with exquisite products. 

I think the upgrade to the F is a great option, so sure, talk to Dale! 

 There is always more to explore!  :) 

I don’t know how Dale works but maybe the drivers can be done and sent and then user installs them to avoid shipping large heavy cabs.  I know in many cases Ohm is able to do repairs and upgrades that way.

My F5s came in 3 cartons per speaker. One for the refurbed F cabinets, one for the driver, and one for the grille cover.

Connection was a snap and drivers attached to cabs with wing nuts.

You’re getting into details that are best pivoted toward Dale. :)

Time to head downstairs and continue work with another amazing speaker - something you guys probably have not encountered prior.  :)  You'll have to watch for the review, not immediate.  

BLACK CRAP in the coil/magnet gap? HUH?! 

The speakers are at a repair facility; not discussing particulars at this time. 

The tech finds some black goo that is like a tar, that has gummed up the driver to the point it was frozen in the coil. He said he has never seen anything like it with these speakers. I sure had not seen anything like it. It seems so improbably wrong that it makes me wonder if it could have been sabotage (especially since inside the speaker there sat a smaller (wrong sized) spider that had soaked up some sort of oil substance), or perhaps someone so inept that they can't deduce that the part had to move freely or it would seriously compromise the sound. Seriously, who puts black, sticky, gooey crap in the gap? Did some kind of lubricant at one time age so badly that it froze the coil unit it was worked loose again? It seems counter-intuitive to proper treatment of a driver. 

Could it be that there was rubbing of the voice coil after a repair - there is evidence it likely was repaired - and someone sought to cover it up by using a lubricant? Perhaps; I wouldn't put it past some people. That may make sense, given how hard it is to redo these cones. Perhaps someone screwed up, and tried to cover it up, caring less about the longevity of the speaker than not being discovered. Perhaps I have solved my own mystery... 

It's also not as if this would normally fall into the driver, as they are typically inverted, with the coil and magnet structure higher than the spider and cone. 

Has anyone ever encountered such a thing? I am willing to be educated on all this if there is a reason for such things to be done. 

The fabulous news... it has been removed, and it appears the drivers are well on their way to restoration! I was VERY wise to solicit the help of experienced persons on this.  :) 

So, one possibility is that it is ferrofluid? This is a very experienced tech, and I think that he would have known that possibility and would have recognized it.

It seems some grease may have been used on these old drivers, perhaps for heat dissipation? It sure does not seem intuitive, especially since the one does not seem to have it.

Looking at the images and discussion of ferrofluid, it appears that may be the substance. Does it get gooey and hard enough with time to lock a driver?