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Just Bought Some KLF-30's: Have Questions


jayu969

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Morning all,

 

Well my "wanted" add in our local CL worked!  I found a pair of medium oak KLF-30's overall in good shape for $750 here in the Milwaukee area however there are some things that I noticed and need some help with.

 

1) MID-RANGE STATIC: One thing I noticed when I got them home was some occasional static coming from the mid-range of one of the speakers.  I took out the mid-range horn and everything was connected.

I did have the speaker layout down with woofers facing up when I hauled them.  Could that have caused an issue?

 

2) CARPET SPIKES: The speakers have a hodge-podge of spikes...at least 2 different kids.  I would like to replace all 8.  Suggestions on what to replace them with?

 

3) SPEAKER GRILL TORN & HOLE:  SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. One of the speaker grilles is torn a little in the corner. Any suggestions on how to repair or to replace the speaker mesh?

 

4) WOOFER CRACK: SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. I did not notice when I was auditioning, but one of the woofers has a few beads of adhesive or super glue on them.  Upon close review looks like the woofer surround may have a crack in it.  I assume the adhesive/glue was added as "fix".  Anyone else done that before?

 

5) BAFFLE SEAL-TITEBOND MELAMINE GLUE  (  Link HERE):  I did not "feel" any air escaping when the speakers were turned up and I hear no "rattle" however think I am still getting some air loss.  I know there are threads on the sealing of the baffles.  I found a "Titebond melamine" adhesive which dry's clear.  I am thinking to use that and carefully run a bead around the full perimeter of each of the front and rear baffles rather than risk trying to REMOVE them.  Anyone used this adhesive with success?

 

6) MID-RANGE "RED" SEAL: SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. One of the mid-ranges has a rad seal and the other has black.  I assume that the red is not "factory" and something was changed.  See attached for photos of the mid-range horn

 

7) WATER RINGS: SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. Suggestion on how to remove/hid the water rings?

 

Thoughts/suggestions on what to check would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jay

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Edited by jayu969
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Morning all,

 

Well my "wanted" add in our local CL worked!  I found a pair of medium oak KLF-30's overall in good shape for $750 here in the Milwaukee area however there are some things that I noticed and need some help with.

 

1) MID-RANGE STATIC: One thing I noticed when I got them home was some occasional static coming from the mid-range of one of the speakers.  I took out the mid-range horn and everything was connected.

I did have the speaker layout down with woofers facing up when I hauled them.  Could that have caused an issue?

A: swap the horns between speakers.  If the sound goes to the other speaker with the horn, you will need to either re-seat the mid-diaphragm or replace it (them).  May be something like a loose connection in the crossover but doubtful.  If the sound doesn't go with the horn, it could be the amplifier.  KLF-30's are VERY Sensitive and any noise upstream will come through the speaker.

 

2) CARPET SPIKES: The speakers have a hodge-podge of spikes...at least 2 different kids.  I would like to replace all 8.  Suggestions on what to replace them with?

A: If the inserts are in the bottom of the speaker I believe you can use 1/4 or 5/16" threaded rod ground to a point (or get real spikes from Parts Express).  If on a tile or wooden floor, get feet that will screw in the bottoms.

 

3) SPEAKER GRILL TORN & HOLE:  SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. One of the speaker grilles is torn a little in the corner. Any suggestions on how to repair or to replace the speaker mesh?

A: You will need to replace the grill cloth, stripping all the glue from the frame.  Painful.  Replace both so they match and paint the front of grill before recovering so they look better

 

4) WOOFER CRACK: SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. I did not notice when I was auditioning, but one of the woofers has a few beads of adhesive or super glue on them.  Upon close review looks like the woofer surround may have a crack in it.  I assume the adhesive/glue was added as "fix".  Anyone else done that before?

A: Since it is on the rubber surround, you will need a good rubber adhesive.  A high quality rubber cement that dries flexible should work well or even possibly black adhesive latex caulk.  You may need to experiment

 

5) BAFFLE SEAL-TITEBOND MELAMINE GLUE  (  Link HERE):  I did not "feel" any air escaping when the speakers were turned up and I hear no "rattle" however think I am still getting some air loss.  I know there are threads on the sealing of the baffles.  I found a "Titebond melamine" adhesive which dry's clear.  I am thinking to use that and carefully run a bead around the full perimeter of each of the front and rear baffles rather than risk trying to REMOVE them.  Anyone used this adhesive with success?

A: I doubt you have any air loss since these are not sealed speakers.  You should address rattles though if it is not rattling, it can't hurt filling the crack around the baffles with glue.  I used titebond thinned, and poured it in the crack until full to fully seal them and hold them in place.

 

6) MID-RANGE "RED" SEAL: SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. One of the mid-ranges has a rad seal and the other has black.  I assume that the red is not "factory" and something was changed.  See attached for photos of the mid-range horn

A: red was factory, at least in the two pairs I had.  If you get the midranges unscrewed and verified, if it bothers you, replace them.  I personally would pull both apart and clean the voice coil groove and inspect.

 

7) WATER RINGS: SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. Suggestion on how to remove/hid the water rings?

A: depending on what made the marks, there are different things you can read on the internet for making them less noticeable.  Light sanding in the end may be needed as the grain usually opens up once wet.

 

Thoughts/suggestions on what to check would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jay

Addressing each as best I can and congrats.  When you get them working right I bet you'll love'm.

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Switch the mid-range horns to see if the problem follows. If it follows, it's probably a bad diaphragm. As far as the mid-ranges go, you can get a replacement pair of diaphrams from Bob Crites for $50. If it doesn't follow, it may be a bad crossover, about $300 ish from Bob Crites. If you are ordering the mid-range diaphragms, you might as well order the titanium tweeter diaphragm upgrade from Crites while you are at it for $75. Then the grill, if you don't replace the grill cloth yourself, you can call klipsch directly, they have new-old stock of KLF 30 grills for $75 shipped (at least they did last week). I love my 30s, once you get them up to par, they sound amazing. Good luck

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You can get feet at home depot , they screw right in and if you add a nut you can tilt them . they are for furniture

Sorry dad, I forgot to tell him about the feet.

Anyways, how are you making out with your 30s? Any progress?

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I replaced the tweeters with Ti replacements from Crites.  Nice!

 

I am also in process of gluing the front and rear faces with some Titebond melamine glue as I did notice the front face of one of the speakers IS vibrating very slightly.

 

For the spikes I actually re-used what came with it so probably no need for different ones.

 

Have not tried anything to remove the water rings.

 

For the woofer "crack" since the cracks are in the surrounds should I refoam?  I see that kits are available for Simply Speakers.

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I doubt they will have the midrange diaphragms, if not, call Bob Crites, he has a direct replacement for those, I think they were $50 plus shipping.

Bob has phenolic mid diaphragms which are so far as I am concerned superior sounding than the stock Klipsch phenolic diaphragms. Bob does not hat Klipsch ti mid diaphragms though . Simply Speakers have Klipsch ti mids and Klipsch phenolic mids.

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Bob has phenolic mid diaphragms which are so far as I am concerned superior sounding than the stock Klipsch phenolic diaphragms.
I agree. Bob's phenolic present a fuller, smoother center image compared to the stock.
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If the rubber surround has a split or hole, you can repair (from the back) by using a small piece of tissue (like cigarette paper) and Titebond. It dries clear and remains flexible. Put a thinned amount, the paper, and some more thinned coats over that. I repaired si JBLs with numerous cracks a few years ago. Yhey are still rocking the house.

Bruce

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Just wanted to add that on the garage sale forum I've posted a klf-c7 center channel that should go nice with your Klf-30's you can check them out and if your interested I'd give you a better deal than what I have listed it for. Check it out and see what you think. My number is 1-219-299-1059 Rob is interested

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