• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

JBL decade l16 repair advice?

T

TrevorBarten

Well-Known Member
I just purchased a pair of jbl decade l16 speakers. I know they are some of the cheaper jbl speakers but I would still like to get them back to original spec, or better as long as it doesn't require significant investment/work. I will be refoaming the speakers and I also want to service the crossovers should it be needed. However I do not know if revision of the crossovers is really needed. I have almost no experience with speaker crossover repair. What would be recommended?
 
Register to hide this ad
TrevorBarten said:
I have almost no experience with speaker crossover repair. What would be recommended?
Click to expand...
Leave the crossovers alone.

After you replace the foam surrounds, listen to them for several weeks to get to know what they sound like. If you feel something is amiss, then proceed with caution.
 
I;m no authority of the L-16, but might assume there might be a variety of Cone diameters and the foam surrounds available for the drivers. Most folks like Rick Cobb. Others may carry the surrounds, midwest speaker, simply speakers.

You'll have to measure cone diameter.

Insure you glue the surrounds to the backside of the Cone. If possible, you'll likely wish to save and re-use the Gaskets. Having a decent Exacto Knife Kit comes in handy.
 
Recapping of crossovers on JBLs is mainly an ego massage for audio handymen, or a reason to say the speakers just aren't any good.
I've used Rick Cobb for surrounds for decades and he's never let me down.
These are all surrounds from Rick:JBL Basement updated.jpg
 
markd51 said:
I;m no authority of the L-16, but might assume there might be a variety of Cone diameters and the foam surrounds available for the drivers. Most folks like Rick Cobb. Others may carry the surrounds, midwest speaker, simply speakers.

You'll have to measure cone diameter.

Insure you glue the surrounds to the backside of the Cone. If possible, you'll likely wish to save and re-use the Gaskets. Having a decent Exacto Knife Kit comes in handy.
Click to expand...
I watched a video on youtube on how to do it for jbl speakers specifically and I ordered a set of surrounds specifically for the 116a drivers so I assume that should be fine. I'll update this thread once I have done the refoaming.
 
TrevorBarten said:
I watched a video on youtube on how to do it for jbl speakers specifically and I ordered a set of surrounds specifically for the 116a drivers so I assume that should be fine. I'll update this thread once I have done the refoaming.
Click to expand...
I hope you ordered the surrounds from someone who actually knows what they're doing. So many "professionals" in speaker repair don't have a clue.
Good luck. It's really not so hard to do yourself. :thumbsup:

Are you planning to remove the dust-cap and shim the voice-coil? Of leave it alone and use a tone to center the voice-coil? What glue is supplied with your kit? Is that what you want to use? :dunno:
 
malden said:
Click to expand...
That's the video I followed. I do not live in the US so I am unable to buy those kits but the one I got seems to work just fine. I just did the refoaming and left them to dry. Not the neatest job but it was my first time. I did not use a shim but I made sure that the woofers weren't scraping and they both sound the same so I think it went ok. They sound very sibilant, it is a sound I am used to from the era though so I think they sound as they should.
Old:
DSC_0754.JPG
New:

DSC_0756.JPGDSC_0757.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom