I recently pulled a pair of PSB Stratus Bronze speakers that I purchased new for $1100 about 10 years ago out of my garage and hooked them up only to find that the surrounds on the woofer and mid on one of the speaks were cracked and had some small tears. Also one of the woofers seemed to be blown ie it wasn't moving and I didn't hear sound from it. I pushed on it gently and it became mobile again and after placing some electrical tape over the holes and cracks they sounded pretty good. My question is this: What should I do with these things?
PSB Stratus Bronze repair or throw away?
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Wigwam Jones
Caesar non supra grammati
Refoam and re-use. That's what I would do, anyway. Sounds like the one woofer isn't actually blown, right? Refoaming is cheap, easy, even fun.
Wigwam Jones
Caesar non supra grammati
Are you certain they are rubber? Rubber surrounds generally do not disintegrate as foam surrounds do.
As to refoaming in general; yes, you can DIY. If you prefer, you can send the drivers out and have someone else do them for you - many people prefer that, and with the investment you have in those speakers, you may wish to do that.
I can't advise you specifically on rubber surrounds, as I have no experience with replacing them; but I believe they can be done. Even cones can be replaced, when the speaker is sufficiently desirable to make a person want to do so.
Even if the originals are rubber, and you can't find rubber replacements, I'd still be inclined to repair them- by putting new foam surrounds on them. Many times, you can treat the foam with the same agent that is used to seal cloth surrounds (it's used at any speaker repair shop that works on professional/PA speakers- the stuff that stays slightly tacky, sort of like what was used on many Altec woofer surrounds), and it'll act a lot like the original foam surround.
I just did this on a pair of vintage MB Quart 6.5" drivers... and it seemed to work well. I did not notice any significant difference in the sound, from the original rubber surrounds to the new foam, treated this way...
Regards,
Gordon.
I just did this on a pair of vintage MB Quart 6.5" drivers... and it seemed to work well. I did not notice any significant difference in the sound, from the original rubber surrounds to the new foam, treated this way...
Regards,
Gordon.
KrisM
Lunatic Member
Have you contacted PSB? I'd find out what the replacements are worth, and then go from there.
And yes, the surrounds can go bad. When I bought my first pair of Silvers, they were a demo pair and one of the dust caps had a slight dimple in it. I was given a new woofer, and after I replaced it I kept the old one. It ended up in my garage. After a few years I checked it, and the rubber was stiffer than it should have been. It wasn't cracked, but I bet it wouldn't last long if I tried to use it.
I wouldn't trash them. They would be worth fixing up.
And yes, the surrounds can go bad. When I bought my first pair of Silvers, they were a demo pair and one of the dust caps had a slight dimple in it. I was given a new woofer, and after I replaced it I kept the old one. It ended up in my garage. After a few years I checked it, and the rubber was stiffer than it should have been. It wasn't cracked, but I bet it wouldn't last long if I tried to use it.
I wouldn't trash them. They would be worth fixing up.
Agreed about calling PSB. Paul S. Barton was still coming to work every morning last time I went by. Not the most sociable guy in the world tho.
Anyhow, they are likely your best bet.
Btw, great speakers.
KrisM
Lunatic Member
Off topic, but the more I go through life, the more I think that the people that have lot of talent in one area also have a pretty severe deficit in another area. From what I've read/heard I get the feeling that Paul fits that description. And that's OK by me, I like his speakers. My accountant is lost socially, but he is my best friend for two hours come tax time. He's that good.
I think I'm one of the bigger PSB fans here, but I'm not sure about their customer service, to be honest. I've tried to ask questions a few times via email and gotten no response. But they were always good about shipping out replacement drivers when I sold them 15+ years ago. And when my room mate and I cranked the 5 channel stereo mode about 11 years ago and blew one of the drivers(woofer I think) on the Alphas I was using as rears, it was replaced no questions asked.