Questions from Wharfedale W60 newby

[Simpleman150]

Hey all,

Proud new owner of Wharfedale W60s (pics below) that will turn 60 years old next month (woofer said 4/61) and got a few questions for the experts here.

1- Planning a recap and want to make sure I at least get the right kind. Any big difference with the Dayton Audio DMPC012 12uF 250v polys vs the same in precision audio (looks like the latter has tighter cap tolerance)? Only a few bucks difference. Any other type caps I should consider? If so, please include where I can buy...thanks.

2- Never soldered a cap before. Any special solder? How will I know what wire to solder to what end of the cap?

3- No woofer issues, but should I go ahead and rotate these 180 deg as preventative maintenance? Also planning to deox the I or L-pad. Anything else I should do?

In my setup pic, I realize the placement isn't optimal. I just wanted to get them hooked up quickly. When I first listened to them (some Getz/Gilberto then Sinatra) they sounded ok. Then, I remembered someone here raving about the Stones' Let It Bleed...I was blown away by Love in Vain...wow. Can't wait to see what they sound like recapped.

Thanks all.

 

[doctorolds]

Congratulations on your W60 purchase!
I have a pair identical to yours from 1961.
The correct capacitors to use is an issue that occurs constantly. Most people do not reccomend electrolytic, but I usually replace old capacitors with the same type as OEM.
Some people say that PIO, paper in oil are the way to go for Wharfedale speakers. Other people say the highs sound better with the Dayton capacitors? It's your choice though. If possible and you have the time do a search and read the comments to obtain more knowledge.
As for the woofers, I recommend a 180 degree flip just for a good measure.
Many soldering videos are available on the WWW, just do a search. I'm sure others will chime in shortly with their thoughts. Best of luck and enjoy the music!

 

[Simpleman150]

Congratulations on your W60 purchase!
I have a pair identical to yours from 1961.
The correct capacitors to use is an issue that occurs constantly. Most people do not reccomend electrolytic, but I usually replace old capacitors with the same type as OEM.
Some people say that PIO, paper in oil are the way to go for Wharfedale speakers. Other people say the highs sound better with the Dayton capacitors? It's your choice though. If possible and you have the time do a search and read the comments to obtain more knowledge.
As for the woofers, I recommend a 180 degree flip just for a good measure.
Many soldering videos are available on the WWW, just do a search. I'm sure others will chime in shortly with their thoughts. Best of luck and enjoy the music!

Great advice...thanks. Are these also good options for capacitors?

12UF/200V Acushnet PAPER/FOIL IN OIL CAPACITOR
or
GE DIELEKTROL 61L1226 Capacitor 12uf 550VAC 60Hz

 

[doctorolds]

I have no knowledge of the first in your list, but the second was mentioned in my thread.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/wharfedale-w60s-have-entred-the-building.614492/

 

[drbiggles]

Hay,

The tweeter in there really isn’t a tweeter, more of a mid. If you use an old oil cap, you’ll make it muddy, dull. Not a good tweeter combination. Just use a new poly cap, Dayton’s are an easy choice. That’s gonna help that small mid be as clear as it can.

Biggles

 

[Simpleman150]

I have no knowledge of the first in your list, but the second was mentioned in my thread.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/wharfedale-w60s-have-entred-the-building.614492/

Oh yea, thanks for forwarding that. I read so many Wharfedale threads before I bought these that I forgot to double-back. Maybe I'll try both PIO and the Daytons to see what I like. I'm leaning toward maintaining the same sound that was originally intended for these.

 

[drbiggles]

Oh yea, thanks for forwarding that. I read so many Wharfedale threads before I bought these that I forgot to double-back. Maybe I'll try both PIO and the Daytons to see what I like. I'm leaning toward maintaining the same sound that was originally intended for these.

If you want original sound, buy non polar electrolytic. But they have a higher ESR than poly and won’t sound as bright. These massive tweeters need all the bright you can get.

Biggles

 

[Simpleman150]

Hay,

The tweeter in there really isn’t a tweeter, more of a mid. If you use an old oil cap, you’ll make it muddy, dull. Not a good tweeter combination. Just use a new poly cap, Dayton’s are an easy choice. That’s gonna help that small mid be as clear as it can.

Biggles

Which Daytons do you recommend? The precision audio ones (believe +/-1%) or the 5%ers? I'm guessing I wouldn't notice a difference?

 

[drbiggles]

Which Daytons do you recommend? The precision audio ones (believe +/-1%) or the 5%ers? I'm guessing I wouldn't notice a difference?

5% is double or more precise than the originals, plenty good.

Biggles

 

[Simpleman150]

5% is double or more precise than the originals, plenty good.

Biggles

Many thanks. Going to order some caps tomorrow and then do those, woofers and L-pad deox...hopefully this weekend. I'm assuming I should run the new caps at low volume overnight. After this project, then I need to find a way to get rid of the cigarette smoke smell.

 

[Simpleman150]

Two stupid questions:

1- To rotate the woofers, do I just need to unscrew the nuts from the back of the posts since there's no way to get into the fronts?

2- To deox the tweeter control switch, where's my aim point/s?

Thanks

 

[drbiggles]

Two stupid questions:

1- To rotate the woofers, do I just need to unscrew the nuts from the back of the posts since there's no way to get into the fronts?

2- To deox the tweeter control switch, where's my aim point/s?

Thanks

1. Yup!

2. Any hole or slot, if there are any. You may end up spinning the pot back and forth a while to clean up their response. Not every one has a way to get the spray in there. Do the best you can, and enjoy the project.

Biggles

 

[Simpleman150]

1. Yup!

2. Any hole or slot, if there are any. You may end up spinning the pot back and forth a while to clean up their response. Not every one has a way to get the spray in there. Do the best you can, and enjoy the project.

Biggles

Thanks, Biggles...I'm looking forward to it.

 

[CJ Payne]

I'd probably only rotate the woofers 90 degrees, and I used regular Daytons on my W70's and have no complaints, they brightened up fine.

Congrats on the purchase

 

[kfa888]

If you like those you should look for the W60e models as they are three way and sound really nice.

 

[Simpleman150]

If you like those you should look for the W60e models as they are three way and sound really nice.

Thanks...will keep and eye (and ear) out for those. Quite happy so far with the W60s and should be better with a recap.

 

[Simpleman150]

Just finished recapping with Dayton polys; rotated woofers and deox'ed the L-pad. Tweets sound brighter. Haven't buttoned it all back yet and optimized placement. Will do that tomorrow. Already happy with the results though.

Thanks again for the help here...what a great site.

 

[doctorolds]

Quick progress, you must have really wanted to give them a listen! I think you made the correct choice on capacitors and I'm looking forward to your opinion on their sound quality after a listen. Wishing you a great day tomorrow, enjoy!

 

[Simpleman150]

Very pleased with the recap as it did brighten the speakers up a bit. Got everything buttoned up. Listened to Let it Bleed again and what a difference...I think these speakers were made to play Love in Vain. Going to check out the Robert Johnson version tomorrow and then start getting into my jazz albums...can't wait.

 

[Gizmaster_1]

Hey all,

Proud new owner of Wharfedale W60s (pics below) that will turn 60 years old next month (woofer said 4/61) and got a few questions for the experts here.

1- Planning a recap and want to make sure I at least get the right kind. Any big difference with the Dayton Audio DMPC012 12uF 250v polys vs the same in precision audio (looks like the latter has tighter cap tolerance)? Only a few bucks difference. Any other type caps I should consider? If so, please include where I can buy...thanks.

2- Never soldered a cap before. Any special solder? How will I know what wire to solder to what end of the cap?

3- No woofer issues, but should I go ahead and rotate these 180 deg as preventative maintenance? Also planning to deox the I or L-pad. Anything else I should do?

In my setup pic, I realize the placement isn't optimal. I just wanted to get them hooked up quickly. When I first listened to them (some Getz/Gilberto then Sinatra) they sounded ok. Then, I remembered someone here raving about the Stones' Let It Bleed...I was blown away by Love in Vain...wow. Can't wait to see what they sound like recapped.

Thanks all.

Hey all,

Proud new owner of Wharfedale W60s (pics below) that will turn 60 years old next month (woofer said 4/61) and got a few questions for the experts here.

1- Planning a recap and want to make sure I at least get the right kind. Any big difference with the Dayton Audio DMPC012 12uF 250v polys vs the same in precision audio (looks like the latter has tighter cap tolerance)? Only a few bucks difference. Any other type caps I should consider? If so, please include where I can buy...thanks.

2- Never soldered a cap before. Any special solder? How will I know what wire to solder to what end of the cap?

3- No woofer issues, but should I go ahead and rotate these 180 deg as preventative maintenance? Also planning to deox the I or L-pad. Anything else I should do?

In my setup pic, I realize the placement isn't optimal. I just wanted to get them hooked up quickly. When I first listened to them (some Getz/Gilberto then Sinatra) they sounded ok. Then, I remembered someone here raving about the Stones' Let It Bleed...I was blown away by Love in Vain...wow. Can't wait to see what they sound like recapped.

Thanks all.

Hi There,
Congratulations on your purchase, I recently purchased a pair of Wharfedale's that look very similar to yours, I was hoping you could help me out. I can't find anything that will plug into the connector in the rear, I bought Banana Plugs but they're too big for the holes. Someone in another group told me it's a 1/8" hole and not metric 3.5mm because they are British speakers. Please help out if you can, I have attached pics.
P.S. there is also a knob at the rear above the connector, is this a crossover or volume knob?