JBL l166 woofer repair or replacement

[M50'sMike]

Hello AKer's,

I've got some JBL l166 horizons that were gifted to me 4 years ago by my future father in law (first owner, bought in 74 I believe) but they were in rough shape when I recieved them. They had jbl loud series woofers in the place of The 122a woofers. And they originally had the highly coveted orange grills, but were unfortunately sold 15 years back or so. Been on there look out for some since I got them but nevertheless. I replaced the woofers with some 128h woofers that come out of the l112 series. Which I figured were suitable means how in the user manual it says that those are used if there's no 122a to be found. But just yesterday I noticed that unfortunately the woofer in the left channel has voice coil rub. The woofers made it 3 years, when I first bought the woofers at a good deal of 300$ for the pair. I noticed that there was some rub at first but It managed to go away somehow in about 3 minutes of examination and trying to see if that was the issue. Was rather baffled that it disappeared. But now it's undoubtedly voice coil rub, which means I need new woofers. Id still like to repair the one but definitely want to put since 122's back in these bad boys. There's a pair of 122a's on ebay for approx. 400. But the cones are black or walnut brown I suppose. But would love to be able to see my jbls in some white. And if anyone would happen to know where I could find some orange grills for that matter. Any response is highly appreciated. Thanks you guys.

 

[Chris Brown]

I replaced the woofers with some 128h woofers that come out of the l112 series. Which I figured were suitable means how in the user manual it says that those are used if there's no 122a to be found. But just yesterday I noticed that unfortunately the woofer in the left channel has voice coil rub. The woofers made it 3 years, when I first bought the woofers at a good deal of 300$ for the pair. I noticed that there was some rub at first but It managed to go away somehow in about 3 minutes of examination and trying to see if that was the issue. Was rather baffled that it disappeared. But now it's undoubtedly voice coil rub, which means I need new woofers.

Voice coil rub does not mean you need new woofers. ANY 128H at this point, even one that has been in a very climate-controlled environment for it's entire life, would have been re-foamed or re-coned at least once by now. If the voice coil was not properly centered during that repair, it could be (and probably is) the source of the voice coil rubbing. Perhaps a rushed re-foam job by the seller you bought them from before he sold them. Or maybe he did a bad job, noticed the rub, and then simply sold them instead of dealing with them further.

The easiest thing to do is to simply re-foam them again, and make sure they are properly centered this time. If the voice coil has been rubbing for a long time, it can cause damage, but I'd guess it's probably still fine, as voice coil rub tends to be audible. Worst case, you could have them re-coned (which includes a new voice coil).

 

[M50'sMike]

Voice coil rub does not mean you need new woofers. ANY 128H at this point, even one that has been in a very climate-controlled environment for it's entire life, would have been re-foamed or re-coned at least once by now. If the voice coil was not properly centered during that repair, it could be (and probably is) the source of the voice coil rubbing. Perhaps a rushed re-foam job by the seller you bought them from before he sold them. Or maybe he did a bad job, noticed the rub, and then simply sold them instead of dealing with them further.

The easiest thing to do is to simply re-foam them again, and make sure they are properly centered this time. If the voice coil has been rubbing for a long time, it can cause damage, but I'd guess it's probably still fine, as voice coil rub tends to be audible. Worst case, you could have them re-coned (which includes a new voice coil).

I was wondering if that was the issue, and I hadn't noticed the rub until yesterday it's been fine for the last 3 years except for when I first installed them but quickly went away by tightening the screws that secure there woofer to the housing. Cause when it happened I figured I could've had uneven pressure on the woofer frame. And it was quickly resolved.

 

[A23gt]

Maybe you have some sag going on. Have you tried turning the woofers upside down in the cabinets?

 

[M50'sMike]

Maybe you have some sag going on. Have you tried turning the woofers upside down in the cabinets?

I have not. If I remember correctly I dont have enough lead to do so.

 

[swechsler]

Leads can be extended. You can use some clip leads to test, if you have any, or you can crimp on some additional wire or even use wire nuts for a temporary test. Make sure to tape up any exposed metal so you don't have a short.

Also, you should remove the mention of looking to buy a pair in your OP. That's against the rules. You'r a subscriber, so you can post a WTB in Bartertown.

 

[M50'sMike]

Leads can be extended. You can use some clip leads to test, if you have any, or you can crimp on some additional wire or even use wire nuts for a temporary test. Make sure to tape up any exposed metal so you don't have a short.

Also, you should remove the mention of looking to buy a pair in your OP. That's against the rules. You'r a subscriber, so you can post a WTB in Bartertown.

Thank you, the deed is done. I've had some posts moved around before, want to follow the rules, Haha.