RTR replacements subs

[jamescoe22]

Hi Guys

I have an old pair of RTR Model 100D speakers . I want to give them an upgrade as the old 12 " speakers are all dried out around the edge and flaking away. My plan was to replace them and see how the sound is and go from there. There maybe other issues with the speakers.

Any ideas on what mid range price speaker brand i should use for these specific type of speakers ? Also what is a good interior lining ? there is currently fibreglass insulation in there.

Thanks

 

[lovinthehd]

Ideally you replace with the same drivers or at least ones with very similar t/s parameters (Thiele/Small). I see a reference to some 40 year old speakers called RTR 100D but no real info, doubtful there's much info on the drivers let alone original replacements. Might try parts-express.com in the help area to see if they have any ideas (or other speaker component suppliers).

Otherwise I wouldn't bother. I'd leave the lining/insulation as is in any case.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

FYI, here’s a RTR brochure I just found for your speakers.

http://dave.spalla.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/RTR_SpeakerCatalog_1984.pdf

When you say the 12” speakers (they're woofers, not subs) are “all dried out around the edge and flaking away,” are you referring to the outer foam surround? If so, that can be replaced; I’ve never heard of an actual cone falling apart like that. Parts Express sells re-foam kits, they aren’t hard to install.

That would be your best bet. The situation is that RTR had a tendency to make speakers with nominal impedances on the low side, and the brochure bears that out. I had some RTR speakers back in the day, a 4-ohm, 2-way with a 10” woofer, and the woofer was 2-ohm. Your 100D is a 3-way rated at 6-ohms, so I’m going to hazard a guess that the drivers are all 2-ohm as well (you can check with a common multimeter).

If that’s the case – 2-ohm drivers are pretty rare. You can’t just throw any 4- or 8-ohm woofer in there and expect acceptable results. Your best bet is to re-foam the original woofers, of find some used on ebay.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt