Speaker unit replacement advice. Pesky kids!

[Snag1981]

I have a ~5 year old pair of B&W 602s3 which although inexpensive and unimpressive, I have grown particularly fond of.

Following a 30 minute visit from my nephew over the weekend, it has tonight horrifyingly come to my attention that his mischevious little fingers have been at it again. This time it's the tweeters which have taken a pasting [may just be the diaphragms which are damaged], and one of the bass units has had it's dust cap/centre crushed. Replacement costs through technosound are at £149 for whole units, or £121 if it's just the diaphragms.

So chaps I'm asking

1: If anyone knows a cheaper place for parts?

and also

2: Running 1 new bass cone and 1 original will I encounter any noticeable difference between the 2? [should I replace the whole lot >> just buy replacement speakers?]

I know it's not a big deal but with me having just spent a fortune on presents for the lad [their reason for coming over] I'm a little frustrated. Had it been a week earlier, his 'present fund' would have subsidised the repairs a little!!

With it being Christmas and all, the option of 'ditch them and buy these instead for £1200+' sadly isn't an option.

Thanks in advance.

[wiffmaster]

I'd put them on ebay as damaged/repairable and then buy yourself another used set in good condition. I have the exact same speakers, and got them off ebay in mint condition for less than £120 including postage. Probably the cheapest option, considering you should get £30ish for the old damaged set.

[Simpo Two]

Check out Wilmslow Audio: https://secure.wilmslow-audio.co.uk/catalog/

If you tell them which drive unit is buggered they'll be able to recommend a replacement.

[staceyb]

Accidental cover on insurance?

[allgonepetetong]

That model has a port doesn't it? If so, put your mouth to the port and blow gently till the woofer cone center cap pops out again. I have had to do this many times with my little "angel".

The tweeter is more difficult however. Maybe try keeping the grilles on so that you can't see the tweeter and listen to tell if it is damaged. If you can't hear anything wrong (except the usual B&W man inside crinkling tin foil) then continue as if nothing has happened.

HTH

[cjs]

Another trick that I have used. Get some very strong tape, Gaffa Tape works well. Stick a piece on the dented tweeter leaving a small loop to hold onto, then pull gently and the dent comes out...sometimes! Worth a try. Works on woofer centre caps as well.

[nelly1]

cjs said:

Another trick that I have used. Get some very strong tape, Gaffa Tape works well. Wrap entire roll around Nephew next time he comes round.

EFA

[Benmac]

Yes, the sticky tape idea does work (on speakers, dunno on kids but the logic is sound), have used it myself in the past. Go to be worth a try.

Time to teach the nipper about retribution, when round his place over Xmas take interest in his best present and then stamp on it. Seriously though it has to be worth having a word with his folks, maybe not for financial compensation as that never leaves anyone feeling good but just so that the 'don't mess with other people's stuff' message gets heard.

[Snag1981]

cjs said:

Another trick that I have used. Get some very strong tape, Gaffa Tape works well. Stick a piece on the dented tweeter leaving a small loop to hold onto, then pull gently and the dent comes out...sometimes! Worth a try. Works on woofer centre caps as well.

Did this last night! Seemed to work to a degree but as the diaphragms were pushed right in and creased, I ended up opening the baffle, removing the diaphragms and pushing them through from the back. Far from perfect [the finish is no longer perfect, like trying to smooth out tin foil after use] and extremely irritating but I'll live with it until the new year when I'll maybe source replacements.

The centre cap on the 'woofer' isn't the usual dome type, it's bullet-shaped and has been crushed so that's a definite one for the bin.

I called my sister to just let her know what had happened - her response was that I shouldn't leave things around for a toddler to destroy. This led to me asking her if when her car got keyed last month it was her fault for leaving her car around to get keyed?

Thanks anyway everyone, I'm thinking that in the new year I'll maybe replace my audio gear and start over.

Edited by Snag1981 on Tuesday 9th December 12:00

[bertie]

I have had a similar experiance with a ATC dome midrange on a £2k pair of Wilmslow Forte speakers and my daughter.

Clearly I've fixed her now but the speaker was more of a concern.

I found that a plastic container of the right diameter, cut a hole on the back and use it as an adapter on the vacum cleaner to suck the dome out, sorted!

I spoke to Neil at Wilmslow and he reckoned it shoud be fine, it's a fluid filled dome so no harm done, phew!

If you do need new dirve units again Wilmslow are superb.

Better still, if you are remotely handy with some PVA, bang the B&O on eBay and get yourself a Wilmslow kit.

They better speakers at many times the prices.
When I bought my Forte kits I also auditioned a £6k pair of Lumleys, a £4k pair of Zingalis and some £5k KEF monitors and the Fortes absolutely blew them all away!

They are my 3rd set of Wilmslow kits and I can't reccomend them enough!