Tweeter Question - Energy 22 Reference Connoisseur

Just to add some confusion....

I had the second last pair of 22 Ref Cons built, and they had metal tweeters..... :)
 
2nd last set? That's quite cool. Sounds like there was no pattern, they used whatever types they had on hand on a particular day.
 
I've been talking to Chris - he's officially not doing any rebuilds "right now". He still has all the equipment, but ran out of some supplies which he apparently had difficultly sourcing. That's been a slow process and he didn't have a timeline available, but he does expect to be up and running again at some point down the road.

Bigerik: hah! What about your crossover, by any chance? Do you know if it's either of the two mikeybc posted on the first page?
 
shortcuttomo said:
I've been talking to Chris - he's officially not doing any rebuilds "right now". He still has all the equipment, but ran out of some supplies which he apparently had difficultly sourcing. That's been a slow process and he didn't have a timeline available, but he does expect to be up and running again at some point down the road.
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Great news about Chris! Looking forward...
 
Think they stopped building ref conns before they switched to using plastic in the tweeters and crossover on the terminal cup as seen on the late pro 22's
 
Any update about Chris at ABI tech? I have a pair of tweeters that need to be rebuilt.
I emailed him before I found this thread and now can understand why he never replied.

I've tried searching and seems like there really isn't any other option.
 
rebuilds

I also have 2 pairs and a single that I need done. Grr I wish I knew how to get hold of zaph at zaphaudio.com. he could work a good fix with a current tweeter that would be excellent I am sure. he is amazing.
 
I've been in contact with a CAM member who has a speaker repair business in Calgary and he says he can rebuild them. I'll send him the link to this thread.
 
duvanator said:
Any update about Chris at ABI tech? I have a pair of tweeters that need to be rebuilt.
I emailed him before I found this thread and now can understand why he never replied.

I've tried searching and seems like there really isn't any other option.
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I tried emailing Chris recently too but no response yet. I also sent an email to David Lee at Vancouver Audio speaker Clinic--found a reference on his web site stating he repairs the 22 tweeters:

http://vancouveraudiospeakerclinic.com/API.html

I will let everyone know what he says.
 
pjstone said:
I also have 2 pairs and a single that I need done. Grr I wish I knew how to get hold of zaph at zaphaudio.com. he could work a good fix with a current tweeter that would be excellent I am sure. he is amazing.
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It will no longer be an Energy 22 if you use a non-OEM tweeter. I have not found any evidence that there is a replacement tweeter that makes the 22 sounds the same. Not sure it can sound any better.....
 
duvanator said:
Any updates yet?
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I got this reply on Feb. 2:

We areout of stock on parts for the energy 22 tweeter, however, our repair success is excellent if the driver is not toast, burnt toast!

But no response to my follow-up email that asked:

Do you have an idea of the range of cost to repair from worst case to best case scenario? I only ask because the other option is to try and find a used on on the forums or ebay, but you never know what you get on ebay sometimes. Do these tweeters need some special gear to fix? Seem to recall the guy rebuilding them bought some repair equipment from Energy when they stopped making the tweeters. Do you have equipment to replace the ferro fluid? Here is the blurb on repair for these for what its worth:

Information Guide Ref: Energy Pro/Ref 22, Image, & Mirage M1-1 Components:

Tweeter Failure: The normal failure mode for these tweeters is due to the ferro fluid evaporating / migrating out over the years thus the coil cannot be properly cooled and fails during use. The ferro fluid also functions to dampen the tweeter softening the tone somewhat. Due to this a lot of people opt to rebuild tweeters in pairs to assure a perfectly matched set and avoid extra postage should the second one fail shortly after the first is rebuilt. A newly rebuilt tweeter will sound different from an older tweeter that is fatigued and / or lacking fluid.

Rebuilding: The rebuild process includes removing the old diaphragm, cleaning the gap of residue from the old fluid, cleaning and verifying the gap dimensions and flux density of the magnet assy, installing a new charge of ferro fluid and brand new diaphragm, and finally tuning and testing to original specifications. Each rebuild includes a new trim foam for the face of the tweeter.
 
I just called him. Very personable guy. He said approximately $90 for rewinding and refreshment of the fluid. And about $40 for just the fluid refresh (per tweeter, any addition parts being extra) and he didn't mention anything about being out of stock. In fact he said to stick em in the mail right away lol
 
duvanator said:
I just called him. Very personable guy. He said approximately $90 for rewinding and refreshment of the fluid. And about $40 for just the fluid refresh (per tweeter, any addition parts being extra) and he didn't mention anything about being out of stock. In fact he said to stick em in the mail right away lol
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Did you talk to Tom Lunderville or someone else?

90 bucks is cheaper than what Chris was charging--you think it is the same rebuild process?
 
I didn't catch his name. He said specifically about having successfully repaired several of the reff 22 tweeters. Just from what Chris has on his site it sounds like he had the capabilities to completely build the tweeter from scratch again. Where the Vancouver speaker clinc more refurbishes them back to factory spec? If that makes sense.
This is just my guess right now. Like Chris stated replacing the diaphragm where this place might reuse the diaphragm. But the diaphragm isn't the cause of the the rebuild the tweeters on the first place. Anyways this is my speculation, I intend to follow up more and hopefully soon be shipping off some tweeters.

I forgot to ask but I would assume that you would have to ruse the trim foam (where Chris supplied new foam). Which is ok for me since mine came off in one piece.
 
Well I went ahead and after further communication Shipped off the tweeters to Vancouver Audio Speaker Clinic ( http://vancouveraudiospeakerclinic.com/API.html )
Got them both back working and into factory spec. came to under $200 total for both including shipping there and back. Couldn't be happier! give them a call and get these awesome tweeters repaired!
 
I have a pair of 22.3's and one of the tweeters is not working. I've posted a thread here before and was aware Chris was not a viable option at this time and really really unfortunate as we live in the same town. On the 22.3's the tweeter is enclosed in a counter sunk manner and you have to remove the foam covers to get at it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to ruin the cosmetic appearance to try and remove it when I didn't know anywhere to repair. I also have a pair of the ref 22's.
Can this person repair the tweeters for the 22.3's? Thanks - really glad to see this thread.
 
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