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Dented Cone

Citizen Gain

Citizen Gain

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
In my home studio setup, I use a pair of M-Audio Studiophile DX4 nearfield monitors. They sound really great (I'm surprised they're not talked about more often) and are self-powered, which eliminates the dangerous speaker+amp mix'n'match dilemma when mixing.

But, thanks to an unfortunate mishap, the exposed plastic dome on the tweeter was dented. Not inverted completely, but dented.

Not sure if this will affect the sound, as it may be that the exposed part is some kind of dustcover for the tweeter within, but it may actually be the tweeter itself. Either way, it looks crappy.

Anybody have advice on how to pop out the dent? Will this wreck the sound? I hear no real difference, but that could change, perhaps?
 
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This sounds a little weird but I've done this before.
You put your mouth around it and suck the dome back into place...
it works really well!
You could also use masking tape and pull it out gently, another option is a vacuum but that will be a little bit strong for this job methinks.
 
Masking tape. Sometimes such dents can be massaged out carefully by applying a bit of pressure in the right place.
 
Well, I've tried sucking it with my mouth, and with a vacuum. No luck.

Masking tape pulled out all but a little bit of it. Just that last little crater to go.
 
I have used a vacuum on cheap speakers, but I have never used mouth to mouth resuscitation before.
 
Doing a quick check, it seems as if you have a 1" Mylar dome tweeter. I had to check because I was worried it was titanium or another metal dome tweeter that may crease.

Looking up the properties of Mylar, it may be able to be heated... Please get a second opinion, and possibly contact the manufacturer for an opinion. The melting point is 257 Deg Centigrade... though I would not take it close to that temperature... just enough to possibly soften the dome so it could be pulled into shape.

The only other suggestion I have is to buy a new pair of tweeters as they are still current models. This is the most expensive, but also the safest solution.
 
Heating. That's not a bad idea. And if I fail it, I can get a new tweeter.

I'm surprised there isn't more info on these. They are really great monitors. I've never known anybody else who uses/likes them as much as I.
 
I had craters in my Advent 5002 soft dome tweeters.

I actually took a hair dryer to warm up the soft dome tweeter on my Advent 5002 a bit. Didn't want to heat them up too much in case I might damage coils or wires underneath. But damn if it doesn't seem to have a memory.

Tried Scotch magic tape which pulled it out but little tiny daisy petals remained.

A few days later, it dimpled a little more and I was able to nudge it out with my finger. But always that last dimple or two remains.

Solution: Put the grill back on to cover them up. :)

I just accepted that esthetically, small dimples were better than the craters. And I didn't hear any buzzing or distortion.
 
Sir.Byrd said:
This sounds a little weird but I've done this before.
You put your mouth around it and suck the dome back into place...
it works really well!
You could also use masking tape and pull it out gently, another option is a vacuum but that will be a little bit strong for this job methinks.
Click to expand...

Oh now that made me laugh really hard! I can picture someone doing that and it does seem just a 'little weird'. But if it works -- it works.
 
I've had great success sucking fabric dome tweeters, moistening them slightly first. I will not suck metal domes because of the metallic aftertaste. Mylar being a plastic will leech some harmful chemicals if sucked too long, but I see no reason why a couple of quick sucks would hurt. Heat with a hair dryer first. Let it cool slightly of course, lest one burn one's lips.

One must have the aptitude and ability for this kind of operation. Not all do.
 
This is too damn easy... and I just shouldn't go there....

It takes a special touch to get it out just right, but with the right touch of heat, message, suction and practice.... Lot's of practice and suction.... and a special touch.. You can work it out.

Generally, I try to do most things myself, but I find this work is best left to skilled hands other than mine. I think it's best to have others work the kinks out.. and it is better if they do it for free as opposed to paying a pro to do it, despite their skill and expertise.

Bam! There it is!
 
Cosmos said:
This is too damn easy... and I just shouldn't go there....

It takes a special touch to get it out just right, but with the right touch of heat, message, suction and practice.... Lot's of practice and suction.... and a special touch.. You can work it out.

Generally, I try to do most things myself, but I find this work is best left to skilled hands other than mine. I think it's best to have others work the kinks out.. and it is better if they do it for free as opposed to paying a pro to do it, despite their skill and expertise.

Bam! There it is!
Click to expand...

You are a sick, sick, bastard.
 
Personally, I have never heard a significant change in response before or after massaging them, but theoretically, there could be a spike and/or change in radiation/dispersion. They might also be a little "laid back" or reserved afterward.
 
I haven't had much luck with the mouth-to-mouth technique...maybe I just don't have the suck.

Masking tape, carefully pushed on, has worked well for me.
 
Been sucking the thing for 30 minutes. Can't get it to pop... back into place.


(Haven't actually been doing that)

(Not actually going to continue warping this thread into something... weird)
 
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