Sansui SP-200 woofer refoam?

[matjo]

Dear Members,

Finally I am a proud owner of some Sansui speakers. Since Sansui is very expensive in the Netherlands, I got lucky with a pair of SP-200's for just €60,- ($67 US dollars).
The crossovers have been recapped already (by previous owner) with Audyn Q4's! That was already a bonus.
Still, I am a bit disappointed with the total sound; there is a real lack of bass.
If I push the cone of the woofer (12 Inch), it feels real stiff and needs quite some power to move.
I am thinking of putting on new foam, but nowhere I can find some information regarding this. I did find a video on YouTube, but that covers a refoam of the Sansui SP-3500 woofer (W114).

Any suggestions/advise?

Thanks a million and greetings from The Netherlands!
Rudolph.

 

[waggs098]

You should read through this thread and give it a try. I assume your speakers have the original woofers with cloth surrounds.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/sansui-cloth-surround-restoration.565910/

 

[FluxT]

I had a pair of SP-2500’s that had stiff surrounds and absolutely zero bass. I applied a coat of DOT-3 Brake Fluid onto the surrounds, and that freed them up significantly and they had decent (although not earth-shaking) bass response. Not sure if that exact stuff is available in Europe, but there’s gotta be an equivalent at your nearest hardware/auto store. Be very careful and conservative doing this, otherwise it might spill onto the cone. You should only have to do one, maybe two coats.

 

[waggs098]

I had a pair of SP-2500’s that had stiff surrounds and absolutely zero bass. I applied a coat of DOT-3 Brake Fluid onto the surrounds, and that freed them up significantly and they had decent (although not earth-shaking) bass response. Not sure if that exact stuff is available in Europe, but there’s gotta be an equivalent at your nearest hardware/auto store. Be very careful and conservative doing this, otherwise it might spill onto the cone. You should only have to do one, maybe two coats.

If it was me i would try the acetone then ar sealer first. Just seems like a more proper way. I wouldnt suggest the permatex.

 

[FluxT]

That’s probably the best way. The pair I had was a pretty junky throwaway pair, so I didn’t feel too bad about brushing brake fluid on the surrounds. FWIW, the brake fluid fades off after a few months/years, and would probably be removed by acetone.

 

[superdog]

That’s probably the best way. The pair I had was a pretty junky throwaway pair, so I didn’t feel too bad about brushing brake fluid on the surrounds. FWIW, the brake fluid fades off after a few months/years, and would probably be removed by acetone.

I have a nice pair of 1000 and 3500s with stiff surrounds.I'm going to do the brake fluid thing.They are not keepers and I'll let the next owner know what was done(if I am even able sell them).Sansui speakers are a tough sell.Probably for the surround reason.People think they sound like **** with no bass.I won't be surprised if I have to give them to the thrift.

 

[gbroot]

I have a set of the SP-2000's which is basically the next generation of the SP-200's. Same woofer. I went the route of cleaning the surrounds with acetone and then applying the DOT3 brake fluid. With these being ported speakers the Vintage AR solution for sealing the surrounds does not really come into play. The acetone treatment then brake fluid just brings back the flexibility. Even if you have to pull the woofers once a year to re-treat, it remains as a very inexpensive solution. Made a world of difference in the bass reproduction but not earth shattering by any means. Probably in the 50 hz region. Ah, but when you add in a powered sub-woofer to the mix these sound really good.

 

[matjo]

I had a pair of SP-2500’s that had stiff surrounds and absolutely zero bass. I applied a coat of DOT-3 Brake Fluid onto the surrounds, and that freed them up significantly and they had decent (although not earth-shaking) bass response. Not sure if that exact stuff is available in Europe, but there’s gotta be an equivalent at your nearest hardware/auto store. Be very careful and conservative doing this, otherwise it might spill onto the cone. You should only have to do one, maybe two coats.

Tnx FluxT. I have removed the old, stiff coating with acetone (well, actually a environmental friendly substitute - not as good as the real stuff), and added a layer of DOT 3/4 (the only thing I could get in The Netherlands). More flexibility, but no significant more Bass unfortunately.

I have a nice pair of 1000 and 3500s with stiff surrounds.I'm going to do the brake fluid thing.They are not keepers and I'll let the next owner know what was done(if I am even able sell them).Sansui speakers are a tough sell.Probably for the surround reason.People think they sound like **** with no bass.I won't be surprised if I have to give them to the thrift.

Tnx Superdog. Well, I am a bit disappointed too. It sounds like my B&W DM4's with a recapped Crossover produces a more "whole" sound.

I have a set of the SP-2000's which is basically the next generation of the SP-200's. Same woofer. I went the route of cleaning the surrounds with acetone and then applying the DOT3 brake fluid. With these being ported speakers the Vintage AR solution for sealing the surrounds does not really come into play. The acetone treatment then brake fluid just brings back the flexibility. Even if you have to pull the woofers once a year to re-treat, it remains as a very inexpensive solution. Made a world of difference in the bass reproduction but not earth shattering by any means. Probably in the 50 hz region. Ah, but when you add in a powered sub-woofer to the mix these sound really good.

Tnx gbroot. My wife was already shocked by the size of the SP-200's. Can you imagine what she would do if I suggested adding a powered sub-woofer...... The speakers will most probably go for sale, or will end up in my "man-cave".

Thx Waggs098 for the advice!

 

[matjo]

UPDATE.

Bing very brave I brought one speaker to the living room to compare realtime with my B&W DM4's. Connected to my recapped and upgraded AU-555A, the bass was much more in balance. Did not need to use the loudness-switch as I needed with the AU-4900. Now let's see what my wife will say considering the size......

 

[Tom Benner]

Dear Members,

Finally I am a proud owner of some Sansui speakers. Since Sansui is very expensive in the Netherlands, I got lucky with a pair of SP-200's for just €60,- ($67 US dollars).
The crossovers have been recapped already (by previous owner) with Audyn Q4's! That was already a bonus.
Still, I am a bit disappointed with the total sound; there is a real lack of bass.
If I push the cone of the woofer (12 Inch), it feels real stiff and needs quite some power to move.
I am thinking of putting on new foam, but nowhere I can find some information regarding this. I did find a video on YouTube, but that covers a refoam of the Sansui SP-3500 woofer (W114).

Any suggestions/advise?

Thanks a million and greetings from The Netherlands!
Rudolph.

These have foam?

 

[drbiggles]

These have foam?

No, they do not.

Biggles

 

[jqp]

I have two pair of the SP200's, so many drivers to experiment with. Recapped and cleaned the level control switches a couple of years ago on one pair, installed the most "supple" woofers (out of 4) in same pair, but always thought the bass to have a woody type sound in the mid-upper bass region. Decided to treat the woofer surrounds with dot 3 brake fluid (several applications) and it really freed up them up. Removed as much of the old sealant as possible (fingernail is the right size for scooping out the old, softened gunk) and the woofers now move with little effort. Also plugged the bass port with foam and it really helped with the woody sounding mid-upper bass. Have AR 3a's to compare bass to and the SP 200 are quite close in performance to the AR's. Also noticed that the midranges were stiff as heck, so they got the brake fluid treatment also and now they are much more flexible.