Mikie Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I've noticed diaphrams being auctioned on eBay lately which got me to wondering how long a horn driver last before it requires service? Also, how difficult are diaphrams to replace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Their service life is an indefinite number of years if not damaged. Basically, if it sounds good, it's good. It would quit or sound distorted if it had a problem. I've changed a few, with good results, and I'm technically challenged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikie Posted January 6, 2005 Author Share Posted January 6, 2005 What I don't get is why the diaphrams sell for so much compared to the whole driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 supply and demand. Some of those drivers are old as dirt. I've got a couple of spares sitting around and think it's a bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBrennan Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 The Altec and JBL diaphragms with the rolled aluminum surrounds sometimes fail when the surrounds crack, this has happened to some I've owned. This can happen from age and use (metal fatique) or from overdriving. But I don't want to give the impression that simply because an aluminum diaphragm is old it's due to fail. Some do but most don't. This was the reason JBL went from aluminum to titanium; titanium is more reliable under high stress, it certainly doesn't sound better. And Altec made diaphragms with mylar surrounds available for high-stress use though most Altec fans prefer the aluminum surrounds for sound quality. I'd be leery of replacing aluminum diaphragms with titanium, for hi-fi use anyway. And figure that any Alnico magneted driver with a blown driver, damaged by too much power, will have a weakened magnet and need remagnetization as well as rediaphragming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Are you kidding the diaphrams are cheap, a brand new K-55V or K-55M is around $300 so $50-$60 for a diaphram is a steal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAKO Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Some diaphrams (aluminum) will last 15 to 20 years if you do not abuse them. In Pro use may be a month. Phenolic can take abuse better. Ive pulled some out of theaters 50 yrs old and still working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 besides the diaphrams, magnets can sometimes weaken over time. those are the two things that could need replacing on older horns. tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painful Reality Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 ---------------- On 1/7/2005 1:06:04 AM TBrennan wrote: And figure that any Alnico magneted driver with a blown driver, damaged by too much power, will have a weakened magnet and need remagnetization as well as rediaphragming. ---------------- Where can Alnico magnets can be rezapped by someone who knows what he's doing? And what's the cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Orange County Speakers will remagnetize most brands, Great Plains Audio will remagnetize Altecs. You can always consider field coils instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desron15 Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Not sure about Klipsch, but if your talking about Altec speakers, the guys at Great Plains Audio "hands down"!! A few years back when Altec Lansing was bought out a handful of Engineers and Techs split off and opend GPA. When you send a speaker or driver their way, it comes back to you spec-ed out to factory new specs. Prices are very fair as well. What can I say about their customer service, they did not have a dime of mine "yet" and spent hours on the phone troubleshooting a Model 19 woofer with me. At their cost!! No relation, just a happy cust. Goodluck...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 you can't replace mission drivers btw, old ones at least from the 80's because the comapny that made them went bk and diaphrams are pretty cheap, or you can have the whole thing rebuilt by madisound.com either way the older the speaker gets the more expensive parts become in general Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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