I'm sad! Speaker issue

[Oldlistener50]

I was cranking my tunes last night, and pulled the covers off my Pioneer CS-722A's (I think that's the model designation).

Sadly, I noticed that the foam surround on the woofers has decomposed and is turninfg to dust.

So I am wondering, is this a good speaker that is worthy of woofer replacements? I'm afraid that maybe the midrange and tweeter may be drying out too.

But I like them and have a limited budget. I am getting back into analog and will use my current Yamaha HT receiver until I can swing a nice tube receiver or amp.

 

[zieglj01]

Now may be the time, to explore other options.

 

[Oldlistener50]

Well, here's my thought...

... Maybe instead of spending X for entirely new speakers, I can spend X on woofers, etc. (Meaning not consume $ on cabinetry, etc. that I already have. In other words, install better woofers than I'd end up with if I buy whole new speakers??

 

[ski2xblack]

Repair kits can be found at PartsExpress.

Throwing new drivers in without consideration of the crossover will not give the greatest results. If you're not concerned with perfection, it is an inexpensive option, but I would advise going with a well thought out kit, where the crossovers are optimized for the specific drivers involved. Again, Parts Express has quite a few kits that are affordable and decent sounding. Pi Speakers is another source of inexpensive kits you may wish to check out, particularly if you follow through on your threats to use tube amps (folks here may try to steer you away from that).

 

[zieglj01]

... Maybe instead of spending X for entirely new speakers, I can spend X on woofers, etc. (Meaning not consume $ on cabinetry, etc. that I already have. In other words, install better woofers than I'd end up with if I buy whole new speakers??

If you really like the speaker, then repair it
Speaker Repair Foam Edge Kits - New-Edge-It Foam Repair Kits

http://www.oaktreevintage.com/Pioneer_Speaker_Parts.htm

 

[baniels]

It's generally not advisable to replace the drivers in speakers, as the performance can be unpredictable. Unless you know the T/S parameters of the originals, and have the ability to find a replacement that will perform with the existing crossover, the juice may not be worth the squeeze.

As suggested above replacing the surrounds is a good cheap start.

 

[markw]

Call the people at Newfoam and see what they can do for you. If you like 'em, this is a great way to "renew" them at a reasonable price.

Ther are others out there. Search under "refoam speakers". I've just used this place so I can personally recommend it.

 

[bikdav]

I like to repair speakers as a side hobby. Those are too old to repair. They weren't the best back then. And, they probably used drivers that were specific size wise and maybe "electrical wise" (crossover matching wise) to that model. It's time to look for some new speakers. Even if you don't spend a lot on your new speakers, they will be much better than what the CS-722As were all along.

 

[Oldlistener50]

Ok, thanks for the advice. bikdav, I am pretty sure you're right.

I am looking for speakers for a stereo setup, not surround sound or anything like that. Just stereo, with a good turntable and eventually a tube amplifier (I use a tube Ham radio and it's superb).

So what kind of speakers should I look for? Again I don't plan to play CD or MP3's and don't have an iPod to dock.. looking more analog.

 

[jp_over]

Ok, thanks for the advice. bikdav, I am pretty sure you're right.

I am looking for speakers for a stereo setup, not surround sound or anything like that. Just stereo, with a good turntable and eventually a tube amplifier (I use a tube Ham radio and it's superb).

So what kind of speakers should I look for? Again I don't plan to play CD or MP3's and don't have an iPod to dock.. looking more analog.

What's your budget? Bookshelf or towers?

 

[Oldlistener50]

I'm not even sure

what to look at for speakers. It would definitely be towers.

It's been so long since I bought speakers I have no idea what to begin looking at. I'll have to do some research online.

Meanwhile I'll check out the refoaming idea. I have a feeling that a good plan may be to repair the existing speakers then make an investment in some good headphones. With all the activity around my house I expect much of my listening time will be using headphones, and so for that reason it may make sense to spend the $$$ there initially (or at least until the kids move out!!).

 

[highfigh]

I was cranking my tunes last night, and pulled the covers off my Pioneer CS-722A's (I think that's the model designation).

Sadly, I noticed that the foam surround on the woofers has decomposed and is turninfg to dust.

So I am wondering, is this a good speaker that is worthy of woofer replacements? I'm afraid that maybe the midrange and tweeter may be drying out too.

But I like them and have a limited budget. I am getting back into analog and will use my current Yamaha HT receiver until I can swing a nice tube receiver or amp.

You should be able to replace the surrounds, or find a local shop who can. The tweeters may not have a foam surround- those usually had a rolled paper edge. If you do decide to look for new speakers, I think you'll have a hard time finding what you like because you have had these for so long and you're so familiar that you may try to find something that sounds similar.

 

[Oldlistener50]

No, if I decide to get all new speakers

I will do the research and find the best ones out there in my price range, that most accurately project the original sound. I'm not tied to the existing speakers, just trying to plan my system build optimally. Thanks.

 

[ski2xblack]

Highfigh raises a good point regarding finding something similar to what you're used to. I keep seeing used Klipsch Heritage in your future for some reason. (But that could just be projection...in one room I have some old Klipsch in a retro / tube system similar to what I think you have in mind, and just love it.)

In the meantime, I think you're on the right track with headphones. That is the least expensive route to hi fidelity. Then you'll probably want speakers that will match what your headphones give you, which can be a taller order.

 

[bikdav]

Highfigh raises a good point regarding finding something similar to what you're used to. I keep seeing used Klipsch Heritage in your future for some reason. (But that could just be projection...in one room I have some old Klipsch in a retro / tube system similar to what I think you have in mind, and just love it.)

In the meantime, I think you're on the right track with headphones. That is the least expensive route to hi fidelity. Then you'll probably want speakers that will match what your headphones give you, which can be a taller order.

Do you mean something like the Klipsch Heresy? I have an old pair of those on my basement system. Mine are older than the ones pictured here.

 

[ski2xblack]

Mine aren't quite so old...mid '90's forte ll. Similar to yours, only larger, and they dig much deeper.

 

[bikdav]

Mine aren't quite so old...mid '90's forte ll. Similar to yours, only larger, and they dig much deeper.

Yep. The Fortes are excellent.