Bose 301 Series V - help a newbie tweeter replacement

[newpappa]

Our Bose 301 Series V speakers started sounding poorly and I discovered someone had poked the front tweeter speakers, assuming my young boy since he’s curious and there is hardly any room to get a finger in.

I was able to pry off the glued plastic piece and take out the tweeter to discover 1/ no specs and 2/ wire wrapped.

I’ve never once fixed a speaker so would love any advice as to what might be good replacement tweeter (url to available parts ) and how to deal with the wire wrapping (eg can I just solder it ?).

Much appreciation

 

[swechsler]

Bose used proprietary tweeters, and I don't know of any generic replacements. Your best bet would be to check eBay for a used one. And yeah, don't worry about the wire wrap, you need specialized tools to do that. Soldering them is fine, just tin the wires first and use as little heat as necessary.

 

[newpappa]

Thanks so much for quick reply! I worry about purchasing used ones because they’ll be old, won’t they just break soon? Was hoping for something new…

now off to research “tin” …

Thanks!

 

[swechsler]

No, paper speaker drivers in general don't really wear out from age. If they work when you buy them, they should continue to work unless they are physically damaged. Some of us (not me) are using speakers from the 1950s, which still work fine (there are some capacitors in the crossover that don't age well, but that's not what's being discussed here). There are some tweeters which use something called "ferrofluid", which is an oil with iron filings suspended in it, and can dry out with age, but I don't believe these tweeters used that.

 

[newpappa]

Hm ok that’s interesting. I’ve found one replacement (this guy on eBay). The other speaker I haven’t yet tried to disassemble, wondering if there is a recommended approach to try to fix the pushed in dome..? Somehow removing the plastic oval face guard without damaging the paper? I saw somewhere a tutorial to use sticky tape to pull the dome from a convex to concave shape ?

 

[tomlinmgt]

It's been about a dozen years, but I was able to get a replacement tweeter directly from Bose for 301 IV's.

 

[maxhifi]

If it's just a pushed in dome, one trick I have found to work is to attach a toothpick in the middle of the dent with a tiny bit of hot glue, then pull the dent out. Then, twist it to break the bond between the glue and the dome.

 

[Ed NWI]

@maxhifi - I am so glad you posted the hack above. I just picked up a pair of Bose 301 series V's for $50. The only thing I can see that is wrong with them was one of the front tweeter domes was dented in. I applied a little hot glue to a toothpick, let it dry a minute or two and it popped right out. I can't even tell it was ever pushed in. I am doing a happy dance! Thank you for taking the time to post this useful tip.