Acoustic Research AR9's

DON73 said:
I've got all the drivers nice and clean and ready for the new surrounds. I've never used shims when refoaming and so far I've had good results. When I lay the new foams in place the woofer edges are about 1/4" or so below the foam. Is this normal or do I have a set of scrap drivers:thumbsdn: I've looked at the crossovers but I get a headache just thinking about working on that maze of caps and wiring.
madtech you've done a wonderful job on your 9s and I'm very glad to hear they sound so nice. Love your adaption of the circle cutter.

Love this site......so much valuable information and people willing to help.:thmbsp::thmbsp:
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My woofer edges were also below the basket edge. Cut the dust cap but leave a 1" flap so dust the cap will drop exactly where it was after you complete the re-foam. Shim the voice coil and this will allow you to move the woofer to a higher position to clue the inside edge of the foam. After the inside foam edge is dry move the woofer to the original postion and glue the outside edge of the foam. I've re-foamed 6 12" AR woofers using this method, with perfect results.
 
Thanks madtech. I had been thinking about how to bring the cone up to the basket while the glue dried. I'm not confident about cutting the dust cap but it looks as if I'll have to try. My hands were much steadier a decade ago and I could have done the job easily.
 
If you're not a shimmer, when the cone edge is below the basket, you can stuff a rag around the inside of the basket below the cone to push it up. Glue the surround to the cone. After it's dry, put glue on the basket edge, remove the rag, and the cone goes back down so the surround hits the basket.
 
Hi all,

Just a quick update on my AR9's.

I have finally finished the recapping on the crossovers.
I have used the Clarity ESA caps for all the high sections except the 80uf, a Alcap electrolytic.

I have also refoamed all woofers as they were all rubbing slightly.
Whoever refoamed them didn't do a godd job. They lined up the outer foam surround edges with the edge of the height ring - the raised up ring on the frame - that push the cones out of shape.

Everything are now back together.

Now I just need to run those capacitors in for around 100 hours(?) and hopefully sound will improve on what is already very good.

The next thing I have to do is to get some foam sheet to make that decor rings to cover up the bare metal frame.

Best regards,
David.
 
Good use of my record cases. First speaker is ready for re-cap.

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Top board is done. Two more caps on the bottom board and I'm finished with the first speaker.

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Good looking work! What did the overall cost come to?
Did you remove either board? Unless I stand the speaker on it's top I'm pretty sure I won't be able to see the top board well enough to solder.
 
$84.00 for the caps. I left the boards in. Top boards can be done with the speakers on their back and I stood them up to work on the bottom board.
 
The offending capacitors. Oddly enough except for one cap, all the ESR values for the new caps are slightly higher than the old caps...... Time to fire them up.

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Nice job! Would love to hear your listening impressions post re-cap. I've been on the fence about recapping mine as they sound so good as is. Was that $84 in caps for each speaker or all in?
 
Well, I took my time and blew off the best part of 9 hours but it's done. The before and after difference is difficult to describe as I didn't have a whole lot of time with them before I performed the re-cap. Suffice to say that they impressed me before the re-cap and they still impress me. The highs might be a bit brighter but that's all that strikes me after one listen to Pink Floyds DSOTM. Having those old caps fail and take out God knows what is the main reason I spent the cash on a re-cap. Now I can turn them up without worrying about the integrity of 34 year old electrolytic caps. All that's left is the cabinets and they're in very good shape to start with. 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and turpentine should finish them off nicely. Keepers.... ?
Without a doubt. :D

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