AppleDesign speaker refoam

[techknight]

Well, I have been off of work for a few days due to a leg injury I obtained on our tradeshow trip. However, I decided to take a look at a pair of AppleDesign speakers I got cheap while back. 

Well, as usual, the foam is completely rotten. Someone tried to use straw paper as a makeshift surround. hahaha... sounded awful. Anyway. 

Got some new replacement foam surrounds, of course its too big so I have to cut it down a bit. 

Heres a pic. 

 

[uniserver]

super cool man.

 

[uniserver]

hope your leg gets better old man.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Got a source/link for the foam, how much? Is there any fix for blown drivers?

Heal quickly, but don't do to much too soon, man, everybody seems to do that to much chagrin.

 

[Unknown_K]

I reconed some Boston Acoustics Micromedia PC speakers (late 90's vintage) last year. The old cones are easy to remove and with the correct glue and a paintbrush the new ones went on easy enough (was the subwoofer speakers that needed rework). If they ever need worked on again I will toss them. Foam surrounds don't last forever, you need the rubber type ones and they need a special glue.

There is a guy on ebay that sells surrounds for pretty much any speaker size and make (or was last year anyway).

 

[uniserver]

yeah i would assume something like this would require a steady hand, and some patience.

Does sound like paint brush and the correct adhesive would work.

 

[rsolberg]

My source for refoams sells exactly that: an appropriate brush and specialized adhesive for whatever you might be working on.

 

[uniserver]

who is your source?

 

[John_A]

Refoaming can work great! If the drivers start to give up, there are plenty of high quality wideband drivers in similar sizes though, german manufacturer Visaton is one of many.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

HRMMM? I'm clueless about speakers. I posted about getting replacement speakers/drivers/whatchamacallits a while back. These things seem massive, 504 grams for a 3" speaker?

according to this diagram  .  .  .

.  .  .  it's the surrounds that are blown out/deteriorated, that's the same as foam?

http://www.simplyspeakers.com/speaker-repair-how-to-tips-tricks-faq.html

Do the cones remain stationary with the foam removed?

These speakers were reputed to be excellent back in the day. Was that rep warranted or an Apple myth?

 

[uniserver]

i herd the same thing jt,  that they were great sounding speakers.

Though, I never experienced this first hand...

I am a HUGE fan of these.    Logitech Z-340

• Revolutionary subwoofer delivers twice the bass energy
• Innovative satellites stand on desk or mount on wall
• Convenient headphone jack and volume control
• Dual chamber subwoofer plays louder and goes lower for unbelievable bass
• Satellite speakers provide silky smooth mid and high frequencies

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Quality, the Durability, the sound... just amazing.
I have yet to experience anything better for the money they cost.

 

[EvilCapitalist]

i herd the same thing jt,  that they were great sounding speakers.

Though, I never experienced this first hand...

I am a HUGE fan of these.    Logitech Z-340

The Quality, the Durability, the sound... just amazing.
I have yet to experience anything better for the money they cost.

I've always liked Logitech Z series speakers.  I've got an older set of Z3s which did very nicely for what I asked of them.  It seems like things having gotten a bit more diluted now, but their THX certified speakers are pretty solid for the money spent.

I also have a set of AppleDesign speakers but they're missing a power adapter so I have no idea if they work.

 

[John_A]

Yes, the surround is the same as foam. Some drivers have textileor rubber surround rings, but these seems to be foam. The magnet keep the voicecoil in the same position wich in is winded and glued to the end of the cone. Sometimes, depending how they were stored, the voicecoil can corrode and get stuck. By gently pressing the cone downwards you will notice if it moves freely.

Avoid quick drying and contact glues. Some of them contains chemicals that will dissolve the foam over time.

Here is a good site with information:

http://www.goodhifi.com/FAQ/Speaker%20repair%20FAQ.htm

 

[techknight]

I have the right stuff. I redid a couple of Marantz 15" woofers awhile back, and they are still holding up. 

Anyway, I am back at work slammed again. So itll be awhile before I get back to this project. 

 

[uniserver]

well, gotta pay the bills, keep the lights on.

 

[techknight]

Aint that the damn truth. 

 

[uniserver]

and those fast women you mess with aint cheap.

 

[rsolberg]

These guys-- http://www.mainelectronics.com/surround.htm

I found them since they're fairly local to me.

Vancouver, BC