edc Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 As I am currently using this excellent forum to try and figure out how to set up my surround sound system (new ground for me) I made a new discovery and I am sure glad I have you guys to guide me. I was making some measurements and while my Forte's were out from the wall I noticed a problem. One of the speakers had some tears in the rubber of the rear passive speaker. I believe (my understanding might be incorrect as I have listened to these excellent speakers for 30 years but do not know much about them) that the rear speaker is not electrically driven but is driven only by the pressure within the enclosure. There is rubber around the circumference of the speaker and it is torn in several places along the ridge near where the ring is that is screwed down to hold it in place. I think this is likely not good as it is a leak for pressure within the enclosure. I will try to attach a photo of the problem. Ideally I would like to replace this part but maybe they are not available. I might be able to use a silicon adhesive and overlay the split areas to seal the enclosure?? I am hoping some of you will know what should be done. Thank You, Ed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanm84 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Ed Stop sticking your fingers into the passives on your Fortes!! I've got speakers with passives as well and currently don't have any holes, but I'm going to keep an eye on this just in case. I don't think the passives are made for my KG4s either and want to have something in my back pocket just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 It seems like this big air leak would affect the sound a lot. I would call a reconer and see if they can be repaired. Here is one that does Klipsch speakers: http://www.simplyspeakers.com/klipsch-speaker-repair.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edc Posted January 10, 2015 Author Share Posted January 10, 2015 Thks Mustang Guy, I will call them Monday. I guess if nothing else is possible I could replace that rear passive speaker with a round piece of rubber or something and at least stop the air leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Passives have Thiele - Small specifications just like normal speaker drivers. What you need is to allow the passive to work as designed and to seal the leak. The only good way to do that with this much damage is a new "surround" (rubber part). There are kits you can buy for DYI, but in this case I would bow to the pros. Ship them if they can do it, and get em done right. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 It's not a difficult job to do yourself, so it's up to you. Either way simply speakers is a good outfit to use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edc Posted January 10, 2015 Author Share Posted January 10, 2015 thks again guys, I will call simply speakers Monday and if they can fix them I will remove the passive and send it to them -- your message is heard loud and clear. If they cannot do it or do not want to, maybe I can find the same form factor speaker and just mount one there and not hook it up electrically -- kind of a band aid. Hopefully Simply Speakers will resolve the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edc Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Feedback for the forum: I contacted Simply Speakers today and they were very knowledgeable about my issue. I am going to send them the KD-13 from my Forte and they will rebuild it for $50. Both they and a supplier of new passive 12" speakers both thought that staying with the KD-13 was better than replacing the passive speaker with a new part which would not match the KD-13. Thks for the guidance. Ed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I've bought from Simply Speakers and also had them do work for me. Highly recommended. It's nice to get a knowledgeable person on the phone, when needed, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Proof once again, humans can do MORE damage than a Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edc Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Proof once again, humans can do MORE damage than a Cat Actually I believe the rubber has become brittle from age, I don't think anyone poked a finger through it as it seems to be splitting along a bend in the rubber. Which makes me wonder if I should send them both back for rebuilding (same 30 year old age) -- but that violates the rule of "don't fix it if it isn't broke". And I am still trying to decide if I should use the Forte's or move into the future with a couple of rf-62's and an rc-62 for my new surround sound setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Forte's hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raynist1 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Proof once again, humans can do MORE damage than a Cat Actually I believe the rubber has become brittle from age, I don't think anyone poked a finger through it as it seems to be splitting along a bend in the rubber. Which makes me wonder if I should send them both back for rebuilding (same 30 year old age) -- but that violates the rule of "don't fix it if it isn't broke". And I am still trying to decide if I should use the Forte's or move into the future with a couple of rf-62's and an rc-62 for my new surround sound setup. How did the repair work for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) Sorry I'm late to your post, but I would have sent in both passives for the same reason why I would replace two headlights after years of use even if only one burned out, it means the other one is about to go. Thirty years of ozone has surely broken down the rubber in both, not just one. Of all the topics I've seen on this forum, this is only the second one I've seen about passive radiators. I know nothing about them. Edited February 24, 2015 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Proof once again, humans can do MORE damage than a Cat Actually I believe the rubber has become brittle from age, I don't think anyone poked a finger through it as it seems to be splitting along a bend in the rubber. Which makes me wonder if I should send them both back for rebuilding (same 30 year old age) -- but that violates the rule of "don't fix it if it isn't broke". And I am still trying to decide if I should use the Forte's or move into the future with a couple of rf-62's and an rc-62 for my new surround sound setup. How did the repair work for you? The local CL has a few listed, Guitar shops also know of speaker repair shop locals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) Good job on locating a problem and finding a suitable vendor to make the repairs. Of course, forte's SHOULD be some distance from the wall. Colter's Law states 'begin placement with rear of speaker a distance equal to the sum of the diameter of all rear-mounted ports or passive drivers'. So that's one foot for a forte. Adjust to suit to taste, corner placement helps incredibly as now your passive radiator is now corner loaded. For those with inquisitive infants or curious cats, a waffle grille with clamps can be easily installed with just a drilll. No need to drill all the way through the cabinet, wood screws that grab the rear panel but don't extend through will hold the clamp/grille in place. Edited February 24, 2015 by colterphoto1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 For those with inquisitive infants or curious cats, a waffle grille with clamps can be easily installed with just a drilll. No need to drill all the way through the cabinet, wood screws that grab the rear panel but don't extend through will hold the clamp/grille in place. OP glad you have a solution, I have Chorus II's and this thread has pushed me to buy some grills for my rear passives, something I've wanted to do but just haven't. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raynist Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I am guessing the waffle grill has no effect on the sound even though it might block 15% of the driver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I've read it does not effect the passive radiator sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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