Speaker repair

[jlex]

Wanting to keep the '88 as original as possible, I sent the Blaupunkt Reno out for repairs and a checkup. The other half of the system (speakers) weren't sounding so good, so I pulled the grills to find the foam speaker surrounds were about 50% disintegrated. They crumbled at the slightest touch.
These blaupunkt speakers used a foam acoustic suspension system which acts as a supporting bridge between the paper speaker cone and the frame. Over time, these things simply fall apart.
Speakers aren't all that expensive to replace, but I decided to repair the originals as the coils were still good. Blaupunkt speakers for a Blaupunkt stereo, right? Apparently, this is a problem for lots of people as there are companies out there who repair speakers and also sell a re-foam kit for do-it- yourselfers. Cost runs about $7-8 per foam surround. I bought mine from Speakerworks. They provide the glue, instructions and an online how to video. Reinstalled the speakers last night: they sound great.

[wrxnofx]

Wow, awesome! Any pics of the process?

Also, how do you get the speaker covers off? Do they just pull off? My front grills are cracked around the perimeter, so I'm totally scared to start prying on them...

[jlex]

No need for pix when the Speakerworks.com people show you how with an online video. Pretty simple. Trick is to get the right ones & they seem to have all kinds in stock. Have to get ones that have the angled edge (to glue to the cone) vs a flat edge if that's what your speaker calls for. Their diagram explains it.
The grill just pops off. I thought they may screw on, but no. Perhaps un-screwing motion will help loosen it if it appears stuck. No tools necessary to pop off the covers.

[stevej37]

If not at ease with diy...there are many small shops that repair speakers. I had a pr of Bose 501's that were not sounding like they should. Pulled the fabric cover off..the foam surrounds had all fallen out. Brought them in to a local repair shop...$25ea and they were like brand new again.

[jlex]

The video: Speaker Repair Video

[dan88911]

Nice job, jlex do mine sharing which kit numbers.
Now I am glad I kept my original speakers.
Which like yours were disintegrated when bought my car.

[jlex]

I'll look up the order numbers and get back to you. The round door speaker kits were an easy find on the web site, but the 4" x 6" repair kits for the rear speakers weren't listed. The guy from the store had to send me a link for the correct application.

[jlex]

Here you go:
the two 5" door speakers were SWK5 @ 6.95 each
the two 4" x 6" rear speakers were SWK46A @ 9.94 each.
Add 1 order of the better adhesive for $1.99. The one bottle should be enough to do all four unless you're sloppy and really load it on.

As I said, these fit the original Blaupunkt speakers from my '88 Carrera.
Before you order, you should take the speakers out & measure them to make sure.
If the paper cone is torn, you may opt for a more extensive repair or replacement.

Fun job

[dan88911]

Thanks! jlex
Best Wishes.

[rwest]

Just something so satisfying about fixing something rather than tossing and buying a new one.

Nice work!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by stevej37

If not at ease with diy...there are many small shops that repair speakers. I had a pr of Bose 501's that were not sounding like they should. Pulled the fabric cover off..the foam surrounds had all fallen out. Brought them in to a local repair shop...$25ea and they were like brand new again.

DIY is simple but labor intensive. Small car speakers, some beer and a couple of hours. About right, jlex?

I acquired a set of Series I Bose 901's with the Equalizer in exchange for working on an old Alfa for a day. About 20 speakers in total. I am afraid to open them up.

[jlex]

Absolutely beats repacking greasy CV joints
Nice clean winter project if you're stuck inside. Replacement speakers aren't too expensive unless you want to go crazy. What I found is nearly all replacement speakers are rated 4 ohm whereas the Blaupunkts are marked 8 ohm. Read somewhere it may negatively impact the amplifier, so I'm motivated to preserve the original radio and besides.... I'm cheap

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by jlex

and besides.... I'm cheap

Tight as a crabs ass.....but wise.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I acquired a set of Series I Bose 901's with the Equalizer in exchange for working on an old Alfa for a day. About 20 speakers in total. I am afraid to open them up.

18 drivers IIRC. I had 2 pairs back in the day. Each cabinet has 8 firing backwards and one facing forward as I remember it.

[sky1jord]

Just did this with one of my door-mounted midrange speakers about a month ago. Too bad I didn't know about this supplier, I used simplyspeakers.com, more expensive but theirs worked out fine.
Things I learned: Glue the new foam to the cone FIRST and let it completely dry (overnight) , then glue the new foam to the frame.
My speaker covers just snapped off, I was VERY careful. (and maybe lucky)

[jlex]

Yeah, it's definitely a two-stage gluing process. You also have to pay attention to how the cone is positioned before doing the final gluing to the frame. If the cone/surround is glued to the frame off kilter, the magnet will rub against the coil while in operation and produce a scratchy noise. When you do the second stage final gluing to the frame, gently push up and down on the cone while gluing to make sure it's centered and you hear no scratching while doing so. Easy mistake to make.
Looks like they linked our discussion to Facebook. Can see here for more speaker eye candy: https://www.facebook.com/speakerworkscom

[miyareddy]

[U]Speaker repair means finding the problem when a speaker is not working properly. For example, if the sound is broken, there is no sound coming out, or there is a muffled sound, then the driver or wiring may be bad. Using a tool like fix my speaker, you can easily identify the problems and repair them. With proper care, the speaker will stay in good condition and produce clear, beautiful sound.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by rwest

just something so satisfying about fixing something rather than tossing and buying a new one.

Nice work!

+1!

[rwest]

Miyareddy has been reported to the Mods.