Dry rot or blown speakers?

[Clownfish]

I knocked the dust off my old audio equipment. I'd like to call it vintage, cause it just sounds nicer, but... anyhoo....

I checked and tested before I put everything together, and I found two sets of speakers, one set JBL LX-55, and a set of Infinity (? model unknown) have foam around the woofer. The foam is missing in parts... yep, one speaker is missing foam, on each set!

Is this a "blown" speaker? Is it just dry rot? The pairs are 20-25 years old on the JBL, and 15 years on the Infinity pair.

My old Kenwood fired up, no problem! The most recent purchase (10 years ago!) a JBL 12" subwoffer with a 250w amp didn't work. I tried with my very, very limited knowledge to fix it, I replaced the fuses 4 times. It powered up, then a POP, and the fuse blew. At the 4th fuse, I called it quits.

I'm going to be getting some new equipment, I'm still trying to figure out a budget, and what I want to get! What I want is quickly out pacing every budget I set?

 

[jamie2112]

It sounds like you have dry rot for sure. You can either recone the speakers or buy yourself a new set,which it sounds like you are already considering. To assist you in your decisions it would be helpful to know room size, budget, and what are you planning on using it for(HT Music combo of both 2 channel surround ect)....

 

[Clownfish]

To assist you in your decisions it would be helpful to know room size, budget, and what are you planning on using it for(HT Music combo of both 2 channel surround ect)....

The room size is larger, 25' x 30 or so. I've been out listening to speakers, and my taste is out matching my budget I ;ike B&W best, so far. I still have quite a few I'd like to hear, first, though.

I'm trying to decide if I should focus on a 2 channel system or go for somehting in a 5:1 Or some type of a combo of both.

I'm getting some push back from the spouse about the center channel, and how it will fit into our room... Our TV is over the firplace, and the back wall is so far away in the kitchen, a surround sound isn't really possible.

Or buy a less expensive Yammy, and then an amp to power 2 channels for the speakers. I'll still have the option of surround sound, if space of cash become available.

 

[TLS Guy]

I knocked the dust off my old audio equipment. I'd like to call it vintage, cause it just sounds nicer, but... anyhoo....

I checked and tested before I put everything together, and I found two sets of speakers, one set JBL LX-55, and a set of Infinity (? model unknown) have foam around the woofer. The foam is missing in parts... yep, one speaker is missing foam, on each set!

Is this a "blown" speaker? Is it just dry rot? The pairs are 20-25 years old on the JBL, and 15 years on the Infinity pair.

My old Kenwood fired up, no problem! The most recent purchase (10 years ago!) a JBL 12" subwoffer with a 250w amp didn't work. I tried with my very, very limited knowledge to fix it, I replaced the fuses 4 times. It powered up, then a POP, and the fuse blew. At the 4th fuse, I called it quits.

I'm going to be getting some new equipment, I'm still trying to figure out a budget, and what I want to get! What I want is quickly out pacing every budget I set?

I think your sub has had it. Your speakers with the rotted foam can be re foamed. They should not need re coning. If you want to do this yourself I can talk you through it, otherwise there are outfits like Orange County Speaker that will do this for a reasonable fee.

This foam deterioration is a very common problem by the way.

 

[Clownfish]

I think your sub has had it. Your speakers with the rotted foam can be re foamed. They should not need re coning. If you want to do this yourself I can talk you through it, otherwise there are outfits like Orange County Speaker that will do this for a reasonable fee.

This foam deterioration is a very common problem by the way.

Yeah, I put the sub curbside, for trash pick-up. I have no idea what was wrong with it, but the way it was popping fuses, with a big flash, I didn't want to risk a fire or anything.

>sniff, tears< I think I liked the added OOmph of the sub, plus the JBL's just sounded so much better with an extra 250w amp.

I'd really like to use rotted speakers and a broken sub as an excuse to buy better new stuff. I'll consider re foaming the JBL's, for a possible garage set-up.
I'd prolly DIY it, if it's an easy task. I just don't think they would be worth the postal/and fix price to send them away.

 

[TLS Guy]

Yeah, I put the sub curbside, for trash pick-up. I have no idea what was wrong with it, but the way it was popping fuses, with a big flash, I didn't want to risk a fire or anything.

>sniff, tears< I think I liked the added OOmph of the sub, plus the JBL's just sounded so much better with an extra 250w amp.

I'd really like to use rotted speakers and a broken sub as an excuse to buy better new stuff. I'll consider re foaming the JBL's, for a possible garage set-up.
I'd prolly DIY it, if it's an easy task. I just don't think they would be worth the postal/and fix price to send them away.

You can get lots of re foam kits here and many other places.