Blown Speakers... Now what?

Thejamesjordan · #1 01-11-2011, 03:48 PM

Hey Guys,

So it looks like i blew the speakers (or at least damaged them) recently. As soon as I get to a certain frequency, which I use to play out at regularly, the cab makes a horrible distorted sound.

For a moment I thought it was an amp issue, but brought the head in and it's fine.

I never blew a speaker befire. It's an Aguilar 2x12, and I am in NJ. I searched for speaker repair, but can't find anything. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Andy

eastcoasteddie · #2 01-11-2011, 03:54 PM

have you tried contacting Aguilar to get new drivers? Reconing is an option, but the repair shops I have found via searching are in Cali or Florida...you'd have to ship out your drivers, or order the kit and do it yourself.

smoov · #3 01-11-2011, 03:57 PM

theres a recone shop in IL. Loudspeakers Plus. if its a cast frame...prob worth reconing...if its stamped...prob cheaper to replace.

**Thor** · #4 01-11-2011, 04:00 PM

Crikey, Aguilar is in NYC. Contact them to see who they like on local repairs.

http://www.aguilaramp.com/

BritPicker · #5 01-11-2011, 04:05 PM

Depends how handy or particular about your speakers you are and I guess how willing you are to spend money etc etc.

Anyway, here's my "blown speaker" story:

I had a pretty cheap 2x10 cab and one day like you, certain notes made a horrible farting buzzing sound. So, i took the grille off, and sure enough the cones were split and coming away from the metal and rubber that its supposed to be connected to.

Being reluctant to spend any money on it, I glued it all back together again.

I did it using rubber contact adhesive and 1cm wide strips of kitchen roll - i figured that should be reasonably flexible, yet strong. I just "bandaided" over the splits, from both sides, overlapping them slightly.

Then because it looked a bit rough after that, I lightly sprayed over with matte/flat black spray. Behind the grille you can't tell.

They still work and I can't tell the difference in sound.

I expect gear snobs to throw their hands up in horror, but hey, job done.

EDIT: I see its an Aguilar, bit posh for that kind of DIY I guess.

Gero · #6 01-11-2011, 04:13 PM

I've actually done this same thing^ for the most part. I used silicon adhesive and micropore tape to fix some small to massive tears in a 4x12 I got for cheap a couple years ago. 3 of 4 speakers had to be repaired. Worked great (still using them!) but would never do it on the expensive stuff.

**Thor** · #7 01-11-2011, 04:35 PM

If look at the reconing kits that are sold, they are, yes,
paper and glue. Go figure.

Growly Lytes · #8 01-11-2011, 04:58 PM

Its good to know if its works.
You could do it on the fly at a gig if a speaker tore & had something quick dry !! Then get back to the gig.

Turock · #9 01-11-2011, 05:28 PM

Smoke a cigarette.

BritPicker · #10 01-11-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

If look at the reconing kits that are sold, they are, yes,
paper and glue. Go figure.

I didn't know that, I'd expected it to be a bit more advanced than that!

Gaffer tape would probably do a pretty good job to, I'd have thought.

JimmyM · #11 01-11-2011, 09:13 PM

i have fixed torn speakers with duct tape before and it worked great.

will33 · #12 01-11-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritPicker

Depends how handy or particular about your speakers you are and I guess how willing you are to spend money etc etc.

Anyway, here's my "blown speaker" story:

I had a pretty cheap 2x10 cab and one day like you, certain notes made a horrible farting buzzing sound. So, i took the grille off, and sure enough the cones were split and coming away from the metal and rubber that its supposed to be connected to.

Being reluctant to spend any money on it, I glued it all back together again.

I did it using rubber contact adhesive and 1cm wide strips of kitchen roll - i figured that should be reasonably flexible, yet strong. I just "bandaided" over the splits, from both sides, overlapping them slightly.

Then because it looked a bit rough after that, I lightly sprayed over with matte/flat black spray. Behind the grille you can't tell.

They still work and I can't tell the difference in sound.

I expect gear snobs to throw their hands up in horror, but hey, job done.

EDIT: I see its an Aguilar, bit posh for that kind of DIY I guess.

No throwing hands up in horror here, I've fixed speakers with anything from superglue to silicone gasket making stuff in a tube like you'd use to put the valve cover back on your car engine to pieces of toilet paper or bedsheet, whatever you need to get the right combination of holding together vs. being flexible (or stiff depending on where the tear is). Still playing a pair of old eden speakers like that in a cabinet that wasn't designed for them but by some stroke of luck it sounds great so I ain't messin' with it.

Thejamesjordan · #13 01-12-2011, 07:17 AM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. So typically there aren't repair shops where you can drop cabinets off and have them repaired?

I am considering trying the replacement myself, but not sure what type of speakers to get.

craig.p · #14 01-12-2011, 08:44 AM

> I am considering trying the replacement myself, but not
> sure what type of speakers to get.

You would have to measure the internal cab dimensions, including any porting. If it's a shelf port, how tall and wide and how far back the shelf extends. If it's round ports, what inside diameter, what length, and how many. Then, using all that information, you run some WinISD scenarios with the drivers that are potential candidates for that cab. Sometimes if you post your exact cab+port dimensions, one of the resident speaker heavies will hop in and tell you right off the top of his head what'll work best, saving you the modeling effort.

ThisisCraigP · #15 01-12-2011, 09:29 AM

Hey Craig.P! is your last name Phillips?

Thejamesjordan · #16 01-12-2011, 09:54 AM

Hi Craig P.

Thank you for the info, but I am nervous that may go above my capacity for repair. then I am out the $$ I spent on the equipment to do it myself haha.

Surprised there aren't more speaker repair shops.

Thanks,

**Thor** · #17 01-13-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thejamesjordan

Hi Craig P.

Thank you for the info, but I am nervous that may go above my capacity for repair. then I am out the $$ I spent on the equipment to do it myself haha.

Surprised there aren't more speaker repair shops.

Thanks,

Did you check with Aguilar in Manhattan yet?

BASSKADET · #18 01-14-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

Did you check with Aguilar in Manhattan yet?

No one home. I'm suprised that they didn't have anyone to at least answer the phone. Closed for NAMM
\

Jim Campbell · #19 01-14-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thejamesjordan

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. So typically there aren't repair shops where you can drop cabinets off and have them repaired?

I am considering trying the replacement myself, but not sure what type of speakers to get.

if you want to pay a tech to pull them out of the cab....unless you have a big bank balance it would pay to do the small things yourself