Bass speakers died - ideas?

[driverrob]

I don't normally turn the volume up too far but, when I did today. the noise was awful. They're both the same - self-destructed with a mere 40-odd years of use. What are the chances of finding mint replacement speakers to fit in? Failing that, which replacemnt speakers, preferably under £100 might still look good wall- mounted?

[sunbeam alpine]

There are companies who can just replace the paper cones and the "suspension" ring. I had this done recently on a pair of Mission 700's from the early '80's. They're as good as new.

ETA - cost me about £80.

[Donbot]

If you like the look of the speakers you could just replace the cones for something of the same size which fits, with similar power handling and the same impedance.

[GCH]

User name is ironic

Looking at the total lack of suspension on that, it must have sounded er, interesting, for some time...(unless after it broke yesterday you removed all of it).

If you really wanted to you could get it fixed, or transplant from a donor set, but really up to you to determine the hassle vs reward.

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 27th December 09:53

[driverrob]

GCH said:

User name is ironic

...

Nice spot
The strange thing was that it was only loud bass sounds that made the RH speaker make strange noises. Apart from that the sound seemed fine - or maybe I'll get a pleasant surprise when they're fixed.
Anyway, I'm in the process of removing one to see what I need. I'm not sure what to measure to make sure I get the correct size replacement.

[NDA]

sunbeam alpine said:

I had this done recently on a pair of Mission 700's from the early '80's. They're as good as new.

Are those the ones with the white front and the tweeters below the bass/mid range unit?

[kev b]

I bought a kit to repair mine, cost about £20 and was easy to do, still working fine a year later.

[Donbot]

driverrob said:

the sound seemed fine

Spend the change on a hearing test

I'll be surprised if there isn't a big improvement.

For measurement it is the diameter of the cone. It's likely to be a round number in inches (eg 6"). You may need to drill new mounting holes in the cabinet. It might say the size on the back of the speaker.

Edited by Donbot on Wednesday 27th December 11:22

[driverrob]

Thanks, Donbot. What's left of the cone is just under 15 cm, so probably 6".
Once I'd removed the securing screws and the bezel I discovered the speaker itself was also secured to the cabinet with what looked and acted like super sticky and stringy blu-tak - after all these years! The speaker has a code so I'm off to do some Googling.

[sunbeam alpine]

NDA said:

sunbeam alpine said:

I had this done recently on a pair of Mission 700's from the early '80's. They're as good as new.

Are those the ones with the white front and the tweeters below the bass/mid range unit?

Yes indeed. Bought them in my student days. Drive them with Musical Fidelity pre-power amps. Main source is a Linn Sondek/Ittok. Still looking for a CD player that sound as good.

[driverrob]

I've spent far too long today trying to find a spcific repair kit or replacement speakers which I know will fit.
Second hand units might have suffered in the same way but most are "collect in person" only and hundreds of miles from Cornwall.

So I've settled on a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 220 Bookshelf Speakers from RischerSounds in Plymouth. Blow it, I've saved more than that in the last month of non-smoking and OH has spent about £1,700 on a new mattress, oven and hob this month already.

But thanks for the hints, guys.

[driverrob]

Last post: The new speakers were a bit fiddly to fit on the old wall brackets and it'll take a while to get used to the different look of them, but the sound ....
First I tried some orchestral piano music. The whole brightness and clarity were brilliant.
Then I changed to Echoes and turned Another brick in the wall up loud enough to wake the neighbours and there it was - what I'd been missing - bass drum kicking me in the chest.
Best £119 I've spent in a while

[NDA]

sunbeam alpine said:

NDA said:

sunbeam alpine said:

I had this done recently on a pair of Mission 700's from the early '80's. They're as good as new.

Are those the ones with the white front and the tweeters below the bass/mid range unit?

Yes indeed. Bought them in my student days. Drive them with Musical Fidelity pre-power amps. Main source is a Linn Sondek/Ittok. Still looking for a CD player that sound as good.

Golly that brings back memories! I had those speakers once (a sort of brown foam speaker grille) and a Musical Fidelity pre Amp - I only had a Rega at the time, but did eventually make it to an LP12. I thought the 700's were superb.