Phase tech Question (s)

[Rick Owen]

Recently my company did a house renovation which had us completely gut a fairly elaborate house (near mansion) down to the studs. During the process, I salvaged 4 pairs of Phase Tech CI-60's (or is it CL-60's?)

Now, as I have no need for ceiling mounted speakers, I did a little research, and it appears that the drivers are the same as the ones they used in the PC-60 speaker (would make sense), but I can not confirm it.

Would anybody have any idea? As some might already know, these are a little bit unique, as the cone is a solid Styrofoam piston design, and yes, I plan on replacing the surrounds/felt. If anyone has any pointers on how to do this, I would appreciate your input. I have already replaced the surrounds on several convention speakers, but this will be a first with this type of cone.


Not sure what my plan is yet with these, but first I think I am going to try to duplicate the PC-60 to the best of my ability with one set, then go from there. I honestly thought these were junk, and almost tossed them, but one was still in decent shape and I thought to attach it to my home stereo in a crude enclosure and was pleasantly surprised, which had me do a little research.

Probably most will think it is a big waste of time, but, WTH, I love to tinker.

Was also going to do a recap on the crossover, but stumbled upon a part I can not figure out WTF it is. Was actually a bit surprised by the complexity of this crossover, considering its application.

I have attached some pictures, sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this.

 

[jcamero]

Here is some direction on replacing the surrounds. Worked for me. I "hacked" the procedure by adding lightweight craft foam across the piston to the inside edge of the surround. PhaseTech PC60 surrounds | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

 

[Rick Owen]

What kind of glue did you use on the piston? Thanks for the reply. I was considering after playing around with them a bit to possible design an enclosure utilizing two of the woofers and a passive radiator.........

Love the tweeters, and the drivers look identical to my eyes, although yours are cleaner.

 

[andy]

The mystery part is just a 1 uF 50v film cap. It's not likely to be bad, but you may want to replace the electrolytics.

I would test any adhesives (other than water based ones) on a scrap of styrofoam. Certain solvents will eat through it very quickly.

 

[Rick Owen]

The mystery part is just a 1 uF 50v film cap. It's not likely to be bad, but you may want to replace the electrolytics.

I would test any adhesives (other than water based ones) on a scrap of styrofoam. Certain solvents will eat through it very quickly.

Yes, that is what I have heard. Was considering weldbond.

So, only three caps should need to be replaced?

 

[bhunter]

Phase Tech PC60s are one of my favorite small stand mounts. See the Stereophile review:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/phase-technology-pc-60-loudspeaker

 

[Lavane]

Qhen my mothe4 had a home built years ago, I installed Phase Tech 2ways in the walls along with some large full range drivers hidden in an overhead ledge in the great room and in the ceiling of the patio. I used an earlier Pioneer multi zone receiver to connect to them. It all sounded pretty good. I thought the Phase Techs sounded really good. It was a large house with big open areas.

 

[jcamero]

What kind of glue did you use on the piston? Thanks for the reply. I was considering after playing around with them a bit to possible design an enclosure utilizing two of the woofers and a passive radiator.........

Love the tweeters, and the drivers look identical to my eyes, although yours are cleaner.

I honestly can't remember the glue used on the piston, (name anyway), but it is made for styrofoam. The other was Aileens Tacky Glue. The pics were from another members restoration. Not a fast project. The surrounds are not a generic fit. I had to source a surround that was close, and make the cardboard spacer from a cereal box.

 

[Rick Owen]

I honestly can't remember the glue used on the piston, (name anyway), but it is made for styrofoam. The other was Aileens Tacky Glue. The pics were from another members restoration. Not a fast project. The surrounds are not a generic fit. I had to source a surround that was close, and make the cardboard spacer from a cereal box.

Interesting. I gave the measurements to Simply Speakers, they have a set that should work on the way. I am curious as to how you got the outer edge of yours so clean? Mine had this black like tar substance on the outer edge left over after removing the surrounds, was a PITA to clean, and I oeft a few small pits in the Styrofoam.
I did end up removing all the rubberized foam material over the whole cone. I have an idea of a suitable replacement for it after the surrounds are in place. I am hoping to avoid the spacer ring like you used. After I cleaned the cones to the best of my ability (and patience), i then painted (?) on some tite bond wood glue sanded the edge more glue, sand to a nice flat surface. After seeing the amount of crap I cleaned off I am sure if anything the cones are a bit lighter than they were.

In addition using the glue as a leveler (water based, did not hard the stryfoam) it also sealed it in, and I can now use the contact cement of the surrounds ( I did a test area with no issues).

 

[Rick Owen]

As luck would have it, I was searching for a suitable cabinet close to the original Phase Tech 60's I could find second hand, I came across these for $30.00.

Yup, a set of PC-60's, cabinets in immaculate shape.

 

[Rick Owen]

The woofer drivers look almost identical to mine, with a few minor exceptions, which might just be the result of being made in different years.

the basket is nearly identical, with the exception the ceiling speakers were painted, and wrapped in a felt like material. I am assuming this was some sort of moisture protection.

Additionally, the pistons on the ceiling speakers were roughly 5/6" larger in diameter. with the foam kit I got from Simply speakers, I choose not to fabricate a spacer ring.

As mentioned before, I did choose to remove all the black goop/felt on the pistons and then coat them with some wood glue, in an effort to make the foam immune from the adhesive for the re-foam.

It worked well, the adhesive had no effect.



Understand the pictures of the drivers from the CL-60's are in the middle of a re-foam.

 

[Rick Owen]

The glue does kind of yellow a bit and it was sanded smooth (before the surrounds were attached). I then added a thin coat around the edges and on top to level it off and help to insure the foam would remain attached. I then painted to outer exposed rim black after the adhesive had dried.

 

[Rick Owen]

Ok, now to try to replicate the original surface, and to make these look a little more ascetically pleasing.






this stuff is very light weight and seems to have very close to the same density as the original material. I wish I could have found it wider.

 

[Rick Owen]

Not glued into place yet but you start to get the idea.





Outer edge needs another coat of paint, amazing how a picture can show every little flaw, lol.

 

[Rick Owen]

And finished

 

[Rick Owen]

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[kwkshift]

Call Phase Tech. Since they make everything in-house, they still have parts for most, if not all their old products. I have purchased parts for older models from them before with great results.

 

[Rick Owen]

Moving on now to refoam the woofers from the Pc-60's ( the first were from some CI-60's which I believe to be the same driver. )

The solid piston on these is about 1/8 of an inch smaller, but I think I managed to find a surround that will work.

 

[Rick Owen]

Also, found these at a thrift shop in my area. Going to need a lot of TLC, but I needed a winter project and they only cost $20.00.



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[Yodathedog]

I have a very nice pair of PC60s I got at Goodwill for $8 for the pair. Cabinets were near perfect. Not wanting to take on such a difficult looking woofer refoam, I got new woofers from Phase Tech. Expensive, but since I only had $8 in them I felt the purchase was justified.