Will I kill my woofer if use it with a worn surround?

[Allison3]

I've got a pair of mint Allison Threes (I'm the very long time second owner) and have discovered that the foam surrounds have finally given up the ghost. Bound to happen after 30 years, I guess...

Anyway, I have replacement surrounds ordered, but until they arrive, am I really in danger of effing up my woofers by listening to my Threes (and when I say listening, I mean at low levels)?

 

[SimplerTimes]

Personally, I wouldn’t. However As long as you keep the volume low, it MAY be ok. The question becomes however, at what volume does damage occur?

 

[4-2-7]

I wouldn't use them because yes you can damage them. The new surrounds will not take long to get there. I would pull the drivers and start prepping them for when they come.

 

[Allison3]

Well, I've heard enough, thanks! Fortunately my Threes are biampable, so I just disconnected the jumpers to the woofer.

 

[spark1]

Why take the chance of damaging the coils?

 

[RTally]

And this is why you need lots of speakers. When one pair is out of service, you will have others to listen to.

At least that is how I justify the many pairs I have scattered around.

 

[Allison3]

And this is why you need lots of speakers. When one pair is out of service, you will have others to listen to.

At least that is how I justify the many pairs I have scattered around.

 

[hopeless]

Good way to break up the spider, then destroy the voice coil.

 

[Uncle Fester]

If a car you liked was out of oil, would you still drive it?

 

[Qtronic]

Yes I would drive my car with no oil, if it’s a Volvo 240, that can’t kill a 240! Ok, time to get back on subject.

If a car you liked was out of oil, would you still drive it?

 

[Ds2000]

Well wait to use them. You are risking damage, so I’d recommend waiting for the surrounds.

 

[GD70]

I wouldn't use them because yes you can damage them. The new surrounds will not take long to get there. I would pull the drivers and start prepping them for when they come.

^^^ This.

 

[Djcoolray]

Not no, but hell no !!!

 

[whoaru99]

All depends if the surrounds are damaged/bad but still keeping the cone in normal operating position, or not. If the former no damage, if the latter then damage is possible, perhaps even likely.

For example, the surrounds on my Cerwin D-9s are very stiff and need to be replaced. But, they are still intact so while almost certainly the sound is affected there is no risk of damaging the voice coil.

(and, yes, I do have replacement surrounds, just another one of these days projects since the D-9s are not in use).

 

[spark1]

I think the OP got the message.

About 10 posts back.

 

[Joe6805]

I’m going to be the minority here and say that it may be just fine, depending on how bad they are and how gently you listen.

My Mach Threes each had a ~1” hole in the woofer surround, but couldn’t resist listening to them when I brought them home. Had never heard a pair, and well...we all know the urge with new gear. I listened at reasonable volume, checking them frequently for further degradation. Ran them that way for a couple of weeks until I had the time to repair, no issues whatsoever.

I’m not familiar with the Allison’s, and what size cone or how stiff they are. I’m sure all of that comes into play, figure a larger cone has more surround to work with. Just my experience.

Joe

 

[Allison3]

Refoamed, and back in service!!!

 

[timofred]

Glad to hear it's resolved.

Please remember,
a damaged speaker could kill your amp also.

 

[Allison3]

Glad to hear it's resolved.

Please remember,
a damaged speaker could kill your amp also.

How so?

 

[timofred]

If a voice coil melts, it creates a short circuit.
This could 'feedback', for want of a better word,
and kill your amp.
I don't have the technical literacy to explain it.
But I know that short circuits in electricity are BAD.