How bad is a dented dust cone?

[cymatics]

I ended up with a dented dust cone on a 3015lf as seen in the pix below:





I played through it and it sounds just fine and the cover is still firmly attached to the driver.

Other than the obvious cosmetic issue, is this a potential problem?

*edit* I already tried using the hose from a vacuum to pop it back out.

[billfitzmaurice]

It's mainly cosmetic. You can try to push it out using a hair dryer. Use no heat, gradually bring the nozzle to the rear polepiece vent hole.

[will33]

I haven't been able to pick out differences. ( actually do have two identical speakers to compare in a couple vocal wedges ) but maybe technically there's some difference although, in your bottom pic it looks like the dustcap is starting to separate from the cone, might wanna check that.

[will33]

I've tried various ways of fixing that and never got it all the way right again. Vacuums, drop of superglue and a thread in the dent and pull on it, etc. Hadn't thought of the hair dryer up the butt approach though.

[Bass_Pounder]

Regular vacuum's don't do well. I've had great success with a shopvac though. More powerful, and a larger hose diameter.

[will33]

I've tried shopvac's too. They did better but still not fixed. I think once the dome is out of shape, it'll never be a perfect dome again.

Maybe it's just the pic angle but it looks like a space in the cap/cone seam there, that is a real issue. Should maybe smear more glue around that seam.

[cymatics]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Regular vacuum's don't do well. I've had great success with a shopvac though.

I'm gonna give the shop vac and/or hair dryer a try. Thanks for the replies.

[cymatics]

Originally Posted by will33

Maybe it's just the pic angle but it looks like a space in the cap/cone seam there, that is a real issue. Should maybe smear more glue around that seam.

That's actually a shadow... doesn't seem to be a gap there. If the cap does begin to separate, what kind of adhesive should I use?

[shoot-r]

Wrap a piece of duct tape completely around your trigger finger, sticky side out.
Gently push the sticky side of tape on the center of the dent.
Gently pull out.

Used to do this when needed on the alum. centers on JBL's.
Don't know how well it'll work on paper dust covers.

[1n3]

My technique is a variation on the duct tape method. I brush a little rubber cement on my finger, and let it dry until it's tacky. Then, I touch the dented area and pull.

On a dent this large, I wouldn't try to get it all at once. Sometimes it's better to work from the edge of the dent into the center, to avoid buckling the paper.

[jrfrond]

Once a dust cap is dented, it is never the same, and pulling the dent with the paper stretched might cause some weird resonance. Either leave it alone, or have the dust cap replaced. Unless it is screwing up sonically, your best bet is to leave it alone.

[stingraysvt]

It looks like your dust cap is already coming up in places.


Might make more sense to see if they can just replace the dustcap at your local speaker repair shop, seeing that it is coming unglued as it is.

[will33]

Originally Posted by cymatics

That's actually a shadow... doesn't seem to be a gap there. If the cap does begin to separate, what kind of adhesive should I use?

I've had good luck with clear silicone glue. The stuff that's kinda half way between glue and caulk. Some of it's labelled adhesive caulk. Stays rubbery/flexible when it's done and not dead stiff like wood glue. RTV black silicone gasket maker stuff like you use fixing cars works good too.

[HogieWan]

if it is a paper cone, you can try to dampen it with a towel first to make the edges of the dent more pliable