Speaker Rattle
- Thread starter buckeye56
- Start date
Madeline12
Super Member
I fixed it by ordering the foam, getting aleenes tacky glue from my local craft store, and set the woofer on a stand where the cone is facing the ceiling. I brushed the glue onto the very edges of the cone, and on the (apologies as I don’t know what it’s called) outer metal holder. Then I carefully placed the foam onto it so it has the edges of the foam in contact with both the cone and the metal holder. It’s very important to keep the cone centered, as you don’t want voice coil rub. It sounds more difficult than it actually is. But I must say, I sort of agree with the others to have it looked at by someone who is experienced. I may have gotten lucky with my first refoam, id hate for you to have poor results.
It’s very likely. Could be something else, but either way you will need to refoam.
buckeye56
Active Member
Thank you so much, and deep respect for anyone who is able to fix electronics. If you lived in my area, I'd hire you!
Madeline12
Super Member
Here’s a pretty good tutorial. But in all honesty, if you aren’t up for it or are not very detailed/meticulous, bring it in to someone.
Yes that's what's causing it.
On the back of that cone is a cylinder like a paper towel roll that extends backwards into a narrow cylinder shaped 'gap' in the magnet structure. Around that cylinder is wound the voice coil, a wire that the signal goes through. The foam surround, and the accordion disk underneath the cone, keep the voice coil centered in that gap. If it's not centered it hits the sides every time it goes in and out, like losing a game of Operation. Hence the buzz. This will ruin the driver eventually. Don't play them until they are fixed.
swechsler
Frog Whisperer
OP should ensure that the repair shop is wiling to repair the woofers and not just replace them. How many times have we on AK seen speakers that were supposedly "professionally repaired" just had the woofers replaced with some cheap generics?
darkblue94
The Devil made me do it.
Agreed.
Madeline12
Super Member
You can unscrew the woofers and look at the back for identification possibly. If you get them repaired, check and see if it’s the same woofer by the same process. Or just visually see them and make sure they look the same. Any other input on this question from others?
goodolpg
Just an old fart trying to help.
I use an engraving pen to mark most of my valuable items.
Could be as simple as an "X" or your initials/whatever.
Just so you know you got back what you sent. And take pictures before you send or drop them off.
Buckeye, you can probably do this repair. It's really and truly not difficult. But if you're uncomfortable with the DIY approach, be prepared to spend $100 or more to have the work done vs $25 to do it yourself. It's only worth it to do it yourself if you enjoy this sort of thing and are willing to take the risk of %&$-ing it up. Some of us are more willing than others.
Either way, kudos to the good folks above for helping you figure out the problem.
Please report back. We love to hear success stories!
Either way, kudos to the good folks above for helping you figure out the problem.
Please report back. We love to hear success stories!
Does Human sell refurbished woofers with a trade-in? I know they do for the inverted dome tweeters but any refoaming I need gets done by me so I haven't had a reason to find out.
I think they sell new replacement drivers, but I don't know if they sell original refurbs.
https://www.humanspeakers.com/cgi-bin/order.pl?brand=e&model=1
Personally I would refoam if that is the problem, foams from Rick Cobb and a bottle of Aleene's should be relatively inexpensive. I have a sine wave generator that will put out a 40Hz tone I use that to center the voice coil. Speaker on the counter sitting on the magnet, once cone and basket are clean of old foam and adhesive I glue the new foam to the cone and let sit. Then put glue on the basket, hook up the tone, and keep pressing down on the foam until the glue sets. If the speaker uses a gasket I'll just glue that on and then set the speaker face down on the counter while the tone is still going. After maybe 20 minutes unhook and let sit an hour or two, then reassemble and enjoy. This can be done DIY for about $25-30 a pair of drivers depending. (I don't remember if the drivers use gaskets or not, mine are the early butyl surrounds so I have not had to do anything to them yet.)
swechsler
Frog Whisperer
Human will refoam an 8" woofer for $32, presumably not including shipping. If the price the OP is seeing for a local repair shop is higher than that, I'd recommend going with Human, since EPI is their (actually his, AFAIK Human is still only one guy). The wait will probably be longer, though.
buckeye56
Active Member
Hi All,
Still skittish about DIY-ing them despite viewing various videos on the technique. Not sure I'll center it correctly, and don't even know if there is another, underlying issue going on with them (hope not). Still going to think about this option.
I called some local places to get prices if I bring my speakers to them and costs went as high as $185 EACH SPEAKER to $160 for both (this at a place that local retailers recommended). Also called Simply Speakers and Springfield Speakers, and left a msg. for Human Speakers. Simply = $75 to re-foam each speaker to have new(?) Bose W-810 for $59.95 each installed. And Springfield = abt. $40 to re-foam each. Btw, Paul at Spring was super nice. I would happily do this myself if I had a knowledgeable friend to "hold my hand" to correct any mistakes, but I don't, so I have to give it a lot more thought.
Thanks again.
Still skittish about DIY-ing them despite viewing various videos on the technique. Not sure I'll center it correctly, and don't even know if there is another, underlying issue going on with them (hope not). Still going to think about this option.
I called some local places to get prices if I bring my speakers to them and costs went as high as $185 EACH SPEAKER to $160 for both (this at a place that local retailers recommended). Also called Simply Speakers and Springfield Speakers, and left a msg. for Human Speakers. Simply = $75 to re-foam each speaker to have new(?) Bose W-810 for $59.95 each installed. And Springfield = abt. $40 to re-foam each. Btw, Paul at Spring was super nice. I would happily do this myself if I had a knowledgeable friend to "hold my hand" to correct any mistakes, but I don't, so I have to give it a lot more thought.
Thanks again.
Whereabouts in New York? There ought to be a ton of AKers up in there. 
Really amazes me the prices - and price range - people are asking. $40 - $185 per driver. Sheesh.
Really amazes me the prices - and price range - people are asking. $40 - $185 per driver. Sheesh.
An underlying issue? Half the speakers have turned to dust! What could be more serious than that?
I think you have three choices:
1) Re-foam them yourself for not much money.
2) Pay someone else to do it for quite a lot of money.
3) Decide they're not worth spending money on and buy some new speakers.