mark heija Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 Hello Folks, so after 43 years of working with the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs in San Francisco I've retired. Some of you may recall the LaScalas the kids & I refurbished thanks to the wonderful guidance from the Klipsch community (see attached). So now I've brought home from the Club my old stereo (from my teen years) a 70's, a near mint Sansui 9090 and a pair of AR-11 speakers. I'm in the process of refinishing the AR cabinets and while removing the drivers had the foam on the tweeters basically disintegrate in my hands. I haven't been able to find an exact replacement and was told I could use 1/8" felt instead. I don't have any knowledge about the function of the foam so I'm not sure if I should try the felt. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance, Mark 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 I owned AR-11’s for years. Powered them with G.A.S. Some very thin felt will work just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 I would have used cork rather than felt - but to keep it original , why dont you just search for a section of acoustic foam of the same density and thickness and fabricate a round foam piece that you can stick-on with spray glue , I think the thickness/density of the acoustical foam and the diameter of the punched hole in the center are VIP - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 22, 2021 Author Share Posted June 22, 2021 I would like to know the specs of the foam, but even determining the thickness of this gooey material is questionable. I will try to see if this information is available somewhere. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 4 hours ago, mark heija said: I would like to know the specs of the foam, but even determining the thickness of this gooey material is questionable. I will try to see if this information is available somewhere. Thanks Mark ......looks like you're in luck , I just grabbed this ------thread , on Audiokarma , sometimes cooperation between forums can be a good thing -- this member can make them , so he can inform you as to the right material --- he posts regularly on Audiokarma -- Best of Luck GD70 AK Subscriber https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ar-11-tweeter-foam.825462/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 22, 2021 Author Share Posted June 22, 2021 Thanks Randy, I've left a post with GD70 over at AK and will let you know how things go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 12 hours ago, RandyH001 said: but to keep it original , why dont you just search for a section of acoustic foam of the same density and thickness and fabricate a round foam piece that you can stick-on with spray glue , I think the thickness/density of the acoustical foam and the diameter of the punched hole in the center are VIP - Jeez...then they won't be ARs... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 Get some of these and cut them to size. They won't rot like the other foam ones tend to do... https://www.amazon.com/3M-TM-Scotch-Brite-7448-Comparable/dp/B07W5WJ8RN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuaf7k8ur8QIVi21vBB0wuwUcEAAYASAAEgIN8vD_BwE&hvadid=409940736693&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9013292&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=4345879093328960432&hvtargid=kwd-11029339326&hydadcr=24658_11410763&keywords=scotch-brite+7448&qid=1624376821&sr=8-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 1 hour ago, mark heija said: will let you know how things go. cool enough - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 22, 2021 Author Share Posted June 22, 2021 I got in touch with the fellow on AK, GD70, and while he didn't give me the specs of the material he is going to fabricate (and send pics) when ready to ship. (pay with PayPal) I like getting back to as close as original as possible. I may continue looking into the felt option and have spares when this foam breaks down (probable after me;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 @mark heija I bought a pair of the tweeter felt from an AR ebay seller years ago for the AR11's I had but he might not have them now. Those were some great sounding speakers and I sometimes regret that I sold them. I bought them from the original owner when I lived in DFW and he had stored them wrapped in some sort of cardboard paper wrap and the grills literally "melted" into the front baffles. I completely redid them from top to bottom and luckily enough, found another stock pair of the foam grills....which are rare as hens teeth. Here's the guy on Ebay that has the Vintage AR parts. You might send him a message. Madisound once had them, too. https://www.ebay.com/str/vintagearpartsandservice Here's my 10 year old thread on the rebuild of the AR11's I had and getting those melted grills off. Turned out nice and a simple recap too. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/acoustic-research-ar11-recap-with-pictures.370025/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtr20 Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 22 hours ago, mark heija said: Hello Folks, so after 43 years of working with the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs in San Francisco I've retired. Some of you may recall the LaScalas the kids & I refurbished thanks to the wonderful guidance from the Klipsch community (see attached). So now I've brought home from the Club my old stereo (from my teen years) a 70's, a near mint Sansui 9090 and a pair of AR-11 speakers. I'm in the process of refinishing the AR cabinets and while removing the drivers had the foam on the tweeters basically disintegrate in my hands. I haven't been able to find an exact replacement and was told I could use 1/8" felt instead. I don't have any knowledge about the function of the foam so I'm not sure if I should try the felt. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance, Mark I've been wondering what happened to these. They look awesome! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 Thanks, We sold this pair for $2000 which covered all materials & parts for the four. The second pair was finished in a more kid-proof fashion and produces some fine audio for the big screen TV in the rec room. Now I'm looking forward to seeing how the old AR-11s turn out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzman_8 Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Hello Folks, so after 43 years of working with the kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs in San Francisco I've retired. Some of you may recall the LaScalas the kids & I refurbished thanks to the wonderful guidance from the Klipsch community (see attached). So now I've brought home from the Club my old stereo (from my teen years) a 70's, a near mint Sansui 9090 and a pair of AR-11 speakers. I'm in the process of refinishing the AR cabinets and while removing the drivers had the foam on the tweeters basically disintegrate in my hands. I haven't been able to find an exact replacement and was told I could use 1/8" felt instead. I don't have any knowledge about the function of the foam so I'm not sure if I should try the felt. I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance, Mark Wow that wood grain one looks fantastic. Is there a thread where you documented your restore? Sent from my ASUS_I001DB using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 Thanks, but unfortunately, while I photographed the steps I was always too occupied with my program to get the time to post... I was busy with weekly instruction in these areas: Ceramics, Jewelry, Etching, Screen Printing, Woodworking, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Photo Lighting, Darkroom Process, Computer Graphics, and Bike Repair (and homework help!). The walnut veneer on the LaScalas was treated with Rubio Monocoat Pure (a truly wonderful product both in terms of ease of use and in being environmental friendly) and lightly buffed with Rubio Maintenance Oil (adding a slight sheen). Sorry, Floor Plan didn't take to the lower Rez to attach... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundbound Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Great job on restoring both pairs of the La Scala speakers back then. Enjoy refinishing your AR-11 cabinets and listening to them with your Sansui 9090. I own a pair of AR-11 speakers and really enjoy listening to music through them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bacek Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 They are looking great. I'm planing La Scalas veneering with American walnut. Had some doubts about it but as we see it looks fantastic. What is the finish on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_flht Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Hi You read this, this is for you https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/10584-tweeter-200011-1-new-foam-ring/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 Hello Bacek, The walnut veneer on the LaScalas was treated with Rubio Monocoat Pure (a truly wonderful product both in terms of ease of use and in being environmental friendly) and lightly buffed with Rubio Maintenance Oil (adding a slight sheen). A white "Scotch" pad cut in a circle works well with an orbital sander to buff the Maintenance Oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark heija Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 Hello Mustang_flht, Thank you for the link to the DIY foam surround. I have some concern about the density of the foam to use (not having anything to compare with except the mush on the tweeters now). I went ahead and ordered a pair on Ebay to start. I also would like to know how best to remove the residual adhesive from the tweeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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