Many older loudspeakers can be restored or repaired to as new condition, with a little TLC. Speaker repair kits, parts and accessories are available from many online resources, so repairing your precious loudspeaker system may not be as difficult as you think.
The first task is to check the basic performance parameters of your speaker system to find out what is working and what isn’t. Check each individual driver starting with the tweeter, then the midrange then the woofers. You can do this usually by just listening close to the driver. Listen not just for audio output from the speaker but for any signs of distortion or break-up.
Then, check the physical aspect of the speaker, again focusing on the drivers. Examine the foam or rubber surrounds to look for signs of corrosion or damage. Speaker repair companies often supply kits for specific brands of loudspeaker, these kits include the surround material, gaskets, replacement screws, and sometimes even the driver itself.
Popular brands like Celestion, Yamaha, Bose etc, can be found from many online sources, so there shouldn’t be any real issue in sourcing parts, even for old and obsolete speaker repair parts.
Dismantling the unit can be quite tricky in some cases, so exercise care and be sure not to make matters worse by damaging the speaker enclosure. Usually the drivers can be removed by unscrewing the bolts on the front of the drivers and removing them from the enclosure, but sometimes it is necessary to gain access to the driver from the rear of the enclosure. Either way, be sure to exercise caution and remember that the leads to the driver may be quite short, so you’ll need to setup something in front of the speaker so you can rest the driver on it without stretching and damaging speaker wires and leads.
Install the speaker repair kit with caution, ensuring you follow the manufacturers instructions, particularly on the use of any adhesives, sealants or liquid gaskets.
Once you’ve re-assembled the speaker, you’ll need to allow sufficient time for any driver break-in. So don’t be too disappointed if it doesn’t sound great from the get go. Drivers need time to break-in, as do any new cables and crossover components.
By repairing your speakers yourself you’ll typically save a lot of money.
Most older speaker systems are often of a much higher quality than the new models available today. By refoaming, reconing, repairing or replacing a blown driver, you can restore the unit to its former glory at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Replacement foam surround kits are the solution to one of the most common problems with older loudspeakers. Because surrounds deteriorate at such a slow rate, often over a period of 10 or 20 years, the gradual affect on audio quality and performance often goes unnoticed.
Crossover Repairs
From time to time you may need to repair or update crossover components in your speakers. The crossover typically contains resistors, capacitors and inductors, and these units do not always last for a lifetime. Capacitors in particular can dry out, so consult with the manufacturer or a reputable speaker repair business, and ensure you maintain your loudspeakers in top condition.
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