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AR 2 AX Woofer - Surround Question

shacky

shacky

Addicted Member
I have a set of early 2AX's. Woofers have the treated cloth surrounds. When I was bringing these back to life a few months ago followed some AK advice and used Rubber Cement to re-seal the surrounds - to make sure they are air tight as designed.

My speakers sound very good, however, I noted the "push test" in other threads and decided to see how air tight my cabs really are. My woofers come out 90% pretty quickly so I think the air seal could be better.

But... Ialso noticed that when I push my woofers in the cloth surround seems to distort - almost crinkle in areas. I'm thinking this may not be good. Shoul I consider replacing surrounds? And if so what kind of surround material? I'm thinking these old cones were designed for use with original cloth which I would think is more compliant that rubber/foam surrounds.

Any advice will be appreciated. Hoping someone says the crinkling of the cloth surrounds is no big deal. I'm concerned that it may put undo strain on voice coil alignment.
 
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When they are called "treated" it means there is a type of "goo" or sealant if you will they use to air tight them that is "painted" on the cloth.
Over time, the sealant dries up and the air tightness is gone.
The best thing todo is to find some kind of substitute sealant for them.
The crinkling is natural for early cloth surround woofers.

I don't have any idea what to use to seal them, but I am sure someone here does.
 
Air leak.

You may have an air leak somewhere. Rubber cement should have closed the surrounds (keep 'em cloth, btw). Air could be leaking out around the woofer if the sealant has gaps between the woofer frame and the motorboard. Play some bass-heavy stuff, and blow a little smoke around the speakers to look for air leaks.

Lots of good AR advice over at Classic Speakers forums (they're back up).

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/index.htm
 
My AR-3 woofer surrounds "crinkle" when the cone is pushed in, too, Pretty normal stuff. If you've re-sealed the surrounds, then, as others have stated, there's likely an air leak elsewhere. - Mark
 
I also just acquired a set of AR2ax's, and the surrounds do the same thing, so I guess it's normal. When they're being driven by an amp, They're pushed out ... Just the opposite, so I believe the wrinkling thing is only when pushed in, and not a factor while in use. Also, mine have the outer edge of the surround attached to a phenolic ring (orangish in color) That ring is glued to the basket, and has come undone in several places allowing air leaks. You might want to check on it. It's an easy re-gluing job. A small brush and some contact cement should do the trick.
Bill
 
I'll double check around basket. I did have to replace one of the woofers (set came with a spare 2AX for parts) asit had completely come loose from basket and was distorting.

I didn't know if I could just re-glue it or if I needed to have someone do it while shimming voice coil.
 
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