Replacing JBL L166 L-Pad Advice

[bzowk]

Hey Guys -

I recently restored the cabinets & drivers on a pair of old JBL L166's. I replaced the caps on the crossovers with new 4 & 8 ohm ones but when testing, something didn't sound 100% right. When adjusting the L-Pads, I got a lot of cutouts and scratching. I bought some Deoxit which I sprayed into them then spent a few minutes turning each. It improved a little, but still a little scratchy and don't know if when I hit a sweet spot it will stay.

So - should I attempt to disassemble & clean each or just go with replacing them? If replacing them, I saw a recent post where someone used 50 watt ones but read that the original 10285s are only 15 watts. Not sure what difference in experience there would be between 15 - 50 watt, but obviously want to keep within original specs assuming my info on 10285s is true.

BTW - Besides the capacitors and L-Pads, are there any other components I should consider swapping out while at it? These speakers were in a Tennessee garage for years which wasn't temperature controlled.

Thanks All!

 

[Mr Boochie]

Congrats on the L166s. I love mine! I'd prolly get new L-pads. Go for the 10285 replacements (which is 15-watt rated).

I replaced the original capacitors with Solen PPE.

 

[bzowk]

Great - Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[z-adamson]

Fixed resistors would be best.

lpads are crap, very unhealthy for the signal and will oxidize again.

Look at this lpad. This is basically what you are dealing with. Horrible..

 

[bzowk]

Fixed resistors would be best.

lpads are crap, very unhealthy for the signal and will oxidize again.

Look at this lpad. This is basically what you are dealing with. Horrible..

Thanks for the suggestion. I considered that as they still don't sound exactly right to me. Still unsure how to calculate (even after seeing calculator) so would have to look into.

Thanks for reply.

 

[z-adamson]

Thanks for the suggestion. I considered that as they still don't sound exactly right to me. Still unsure how to calculate (even after seeing calculator) so would have to look into.

Thanks for reply.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-Lpad.htm

Shoot for 9db of attenuation to start. I find that to work great most of the time, especially with a digital source. Use mills resistors or if that’s too spendy use jantzen suppress. Don’t use cast sand resistors. Go for 10-12 watts at each resistor.