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Kappa6.1 refoam and info

Listnnthdark

Listnnthdark

Well-Known Member
I am almost sorry for starting yet another re foam thread . ( I know there have been so many )
One of my surrounds has a 2 " crack . the other has none .
Question # 1 : being its just a small crack :
Can I still use them at very low volume untill I deal w refoam options ??
( or is there risk of damage even at very low volume ??? )
Question # 2 . Having viewed you tube videos of re foam I am FAIRLY confident that I ( could ) DIY but have never done one before and am considering allowing a pro to do it . If the surrounds cost 20 but apro will do both for 40 or 50 I might just do that .(.and not tempt mr murphy )
Opinions experience much appreceated !
 
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You can play at low volumes or turn down the bass, but either way, once the crack starts, the foam is already compromised and will fail in other areas in short order, even without any use.

You can be sure the other is in the same condition and always advisable to do both at the same time.

Certainly easier generally to dismount the drivers, note the wiring setup, then box and ship to pro shop for work. You'll get them back and just reconnect and remount, and be a bit lighter in the wallet. Usually around a 1-2 week turnaround depending on the shop and what day of the week you and the shop ship.

OTOH, a lot of us like to do this type of work, you get a new skill, save a bit of money, and can tell everyone you did it yourself (after you make sure it works correctly). Takes a bit more time in that you must wait for the surrounds, then do your work (1-2 days) but you could prep while waiting for the surrounds to come in.

Your choice, have fun either way. Very worthwhile to do this.

You also considering recapping your crossovers?
 
I've replaced the foam surrounds in two sets of speakers in the last few months, never having done any before. I did a set of Advent Laureates first. I just finished a set of Infinitesimal Fours. I used a 30 hz tone to keep the voice coil centered, and it worked great. So I'm now an experienced amateur.

For me, the key to doing a job like this right on the first try is to take your time. I took everything apart slowly and carefully, and I took digital photos of anything that looked like an important detail to remember. I cleaned the surfaces where the glue would be applied, and then I test fitted everything before I applied any glue. Then I got my tone generator set-up rigged and running. Once I felt that understood how things fit together, I took an overnight break. I tend to get in a hurry, and then I can make mistakes. This especially happens when I'm working late at night and I'm already tired. I glued everything up the next day, I used the tone generator and made sure the cones looked like they were centered. I then flipped the speakers over and let them sit overnight so the glue could dry.

The process ended up taking me three partial days to complete, but I ended up with a really nice set of speakers for my daughters' system, and not much expense.

Give it a shot. Take your time. Ask questions here if you aren't sure of something.
 
Thank You Both !
So no I do not want to mess with caps . As far as I know they are operating up to par ( If they could sound any better than they already do it would be almost scary .. )
So with alot of encouragement I am probably going to do them myself ( thanks mech for answering that first ?) ( my # 1 job is to first do no harm )
Then my decision is easy . I am not going to send drivers out for refoam
I now am looking at 2 options
# 1 I contacted a local musical instrument shop that repairs instruments and some electronics ( waiting to get in touch w their guy to see if he does it and cost ) in that case Im simply going to cradle my babies in my arms and drop the speakers off to him .. But they are amazingly heavy and my back is issue ..
# 2 If Not I am going to DIY '
So let me see if I have the operation understood : ( based on you tube viewing ( I dont have tone thingie ) ( hoping to get away without it as in video I viewed )
( mark connections before removing drivers )
# 1 ( day 1 ) Remove existing and clean surfaces .
# 2 ( day 2 ) apply glue ( probably aileens ? ) to edge of cone and back inner surface of new surround . join surrfaces and center as best possible ( check for voice coil clearance by pushing on cone ) Allow to dry over pm .
# 3 ( Day 3 ) ( This is the stage that concerns me as to centering to avoid vc problem ) Apply glue under outer edge of surround and LET IT FIND ITS WAY TO CENTER ? ( Check vc rub by pushing cone in and out ) once i determine no rub THATS THE SPOT and I should then seal exactly in place and use clothes pins around edges . allow to dry over night .
LAST QUESTION : Does anyone know how the connections are on these . ( pull off clip things or solder ( I can handle solder if need be but would like to have as few surprices as possible before GOING IN .
Thanks so much for your help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
You don't have to have a test tone. I just play my speakers I'm refoaming with an old receiver at my work bench. Just play them really low to center the voice coil. Nice speakers, btw...
Jim
 
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From my experience with ripped/old foam, the driver begins to sound like distortion coming through the driver. And I am surprised you have not noticed any. I would not play the speakers in that condition personally. Bite the bullet and get them fixed. Un-mount/unsolder the drivers, find a local tech, ship them off, or fix yourself.
 
Thanks UVA FAN 420 !!! I was hoping you might chime in . I actually do think I hear the difference but have been keeping it ultra low . Ive decided based on your vast experience that Im not even going to touch the power button until they are re foamed . I believe the guy I need to get in touch with at the local music shop will be in tomorrow ..
Will update w verdict as to whether I drop off to him or diy ..
Thanks slimkins .. yep I like em !
 
Listnnthdark said:
Thanks UVA FAN 420 !!! I was hoping you might chime in . I actually do think I hear the difference but have been keeping it ultra low . Ive decided based on your vast experience that Im not even going to touch the power button until they are re foamed . I believe the guy I need to get in touch with at the local music shop will be in tomorrow ..
Will update w verdict as to whether I drop off to him or diy ..
Thanks slimkins .. yep I like em !
Click to expand...

I would ask, whoever done it, not to mess with the dust caps on the woofers, as obviously they are inverted and a regular one would look kinda out of place on the .1 series. This job can be done without removing them.
 
ABOSOLUTLEY !! I DEFINATELY WILL DO THAT ..
That would suck to get them back and find an " OUTIE "
(Its always the little details you DONT check that get you ! )
Being hes upstairs and the roads and sidewalks in nh are icy I am just going to remove the woofers and drop them off to him ..
So the connections in the 6.1 are soldered rather than clips .. ?
 
I would flip my lid if I took those for a pro refoam and the dust cap was cut out for a shim. I did mine with a test-tone, no issues whatsoever.
 
Most Pro shops use shims for its surety in alignment - they don't want call-backs. Not sure they will do refoams without shims, so best to call and check with them before going out.
 
Thanks Guys Very helpfull . I am removing the woofers today .
Just want to check re correct surrounds .. still wavering about diy .. but your comments re pro procedure push toward diy .. with all of the backup Im receiving I really cant go wrong .. worse comes to worse if I do and re instal and I hear buzz I can just re do .. god forbid ! ( If I " first do no harm " )
Q # 1 In looking at my procedure list from a few posts ago is there anything Im missing re centering voice coil based on pushing cone in to establish its clear . Cant see how to hook up the woofer to test w sound after its out of cab ...( am i on right track thinking method described w checking by pushing on cone as I work to establish centering to avoid rub is sufficient WITHOUT test tones or whatever ? )
Q # 2 Re surrounds I recal uva mentioning that they are not created equal . In descriptions in bay they outline all models it will work with . As long as it lists 6.1 am I golden ? or is there anything more specific in getting best ones ?
Q # 3 re glue .. Ive read many posts re aileens etc . Uva if you have done on img what would you recommend ?
Im going to record all steps w photos just in case I need assistance . I think Im talking myself into diy .. Im going to remove them and consider ordering on bay after confirming Im getting correct ones ..
Your assitance is very much appreceated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Here are photos so far . It is going to be a slow process .
Ive decided to take my time and diw ..
( without AK i would never even consider ) ( my initials are AK )

#1 I attempted to pull off clips but they seem to be glued and also looks like a bit of solder holding them in and they wont budge
What is the best way to remove them .?
 

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Just a bit of back story .. ( cautionary tale )
The surrounds were actually fine before I started to mess w them
( if it aint broke dont fix it ! ) If you notice how dark the surround appears it is because about a week ago I thought :
" I wonder if theres a way to " Moisturize " the surrounds so I WONT have to replace them any time soon ?
" HMMM " How About Canola Oil ??? ! ?
OH THIS IS BRILLIANT ( WAIT TILL I BREAK THIS ON AK )
" No Cholesterol no Trans Fats .. good stuff ? Right ?
Everything seemed hunky dory and they looked nicer w the darker surrounds .. ( I felt 1/2 way smart for a day and a half )
Then I thought "Oh the cones are a little dusty , Ill just spiff them up a bit "
So I took a soft cloth and didnt realize that part of my rag was hanging down over the surround as I was buffing . and when I picked up the rag I saw it was black and that I had rubbed off enugh material to have created the crack ( you can see my feeble attemt in desperation to apply silicone . when i did that it totally fell appart .. so now no music for a while but it will be good to give them new life ( They do that for me every day )
 
Listnnthdark said:
Thanks Guys Very helpfull . I am removing the woofers today .
Just want to check re correct surrounds .. still wavering about diy .. but your comments re pro procedure push toward diy .. with all of the backup Im receiving I really cant go wrong .. worse comes to worse if I do and re instal and I hear buzz I can just re do .. god forbid ! ( If I " first do no harm " )
Q # 1 In looking at my procedure list from a few posts ago is there anything Im missing re centering voice coil based on pushing cone in to establish its clear . Cant see how to hook up the woofer to test w sound after its out of cab ...( am i on right track thinking method described w checking by pushing on cone as I work to establish centering to avoid rub is sufficient WITHOUT test tones or whatever ? )
Q # 2 Re surrounds I recal uva mentioning that they are not created equal . In descriptions in bay they outline all models it will work with . As long as it lists 6.1 am I golden ? or is there anything more specific in getting best ones ?
Q # 3 re glue .. Ive read many posts re aileens etc . Uva if you have done on img what would you recommend ?
Im going to record all steps w photos just in case I need assistance . I think Im talking myself into diy .. Im going to remove them and consider ordering on bay after confirming Im getting correct ones ..
Your assitance is very much appreceated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Simply Speakers has refoam kits for the Infinity 8" driver (Kappa 6.1). It also comes with the glue etc...... About 24 bucks. Or you can ship the drivers to them.
 
How does SS redo relate to what is definately a conscern ( not removing dust caps ) part of my leaning toword diy was generated on revelation that were i to send these woofers out without assuring dust caps wont be touched that I would get them back with "outies " and that would be awful .
Are you saying if sent to ss that they will do these without cutting dc ?
Thanks Not sure if Ill be around for your answer ..
It is now 4:03 and I have an appointment a little after 4:19 ..
 
FIRST THING is to get drivers disconected . I still cant figure if I can get the binding clip to release or if I should cut wire above . ( I have never actually removed a driver before ( from any speaker ) so I want to be sure Im doing things right . How do I get the wires off terminals ?
(((( NOTE TO SELF ))))
WHEN YOU ARE READY TO RE INSTAL WOOFERS AND SOLDER CONNECTIONS BE SURE TO PLACE A BARRIER BETWEEN TERMINAL AND WOOFER CONE . ONE DROP OF SOLDER AND DISTASTER STRIKES .
 
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