JBL C56 Dorian reconing.

whgarrett1394

I was wondering if anyone had some experience with these. My boss has a pair that need a complete reconing and the price I was quoted was $155.00ea.

I told him that i didn't think they were worth it.

I told him he should sell them and buy newer full range speakers.

Anybody have an opinion?

The cabinets and tweeter are in fine shape.

westmassguy

Those woofers have Aqua-plas coating, and Lansaloy surrounds. If they're re-coned, they will not look or perform the same. Aqua-plas was sprayed on at the factory for it's anti resonance properties, and added mass. The Lansaloy surrounds are no longer available.
I've done many of them. There is a spray coating to make them look similar to Aqua-plas, and the surrounds would be standard polyether foam.

whgarrett1394

Thank you for replying westmassguy.

With respect to sound quality, do you think fixing them would be worth it?

Or do you think selling them and getting newer speakers is the better choice?

Also, do you think the crossovers will be tip top or do the caps inside go bad?

What about the tweeter? Did they tend to disintegrate as well?

westmassguy

I've not had ears on them, just re-coned the woofers, so can't comment on how they sound. The JBL Woofers from that era are excellent quality, cast aluminum. The woofer T/S parameters will change once re-coned. how much I couldn't say.
Can't comment on the tweeters. Crossovers would most likely be due for an upgrade.
A lot depends on how much he likes them, sentimental value etc..
Are you sure they need a re-cone, and not a re-foam? The voice coils are shot?

whgarrett1394

He used silicone on the woofer to address the crumbling surround. It is overlapping onto the paper. I think the voice coils are fine. Wouldn't the foam change the stiffness and response as well since the lansolay is such a specific material.

Just seems like the sound would be totally different especially if the paper cone is replaced as well. Thanks again for your input.

westmassguy

The replacement for the Lansaloy is regular polyether foam. It' a PITA to remove the Lansaloy, but once it's cleaned off, the new surround goes on pretty easy. It's always best to keep the Aqua-plas if possible.
Silicone is the worst possible product he could have chosen to try and fix them.

Schurkey

Sounds to me like this is a re-foam (surround replacement) job, rather than a re-cone.

"I" would do it. The cost of the foam surrounds is minor compared to the cost of labor, assuming you can get suitable surrounds. You could have a fun weekend project. I did with the three drivers in each cabinet of a pair of throw-away AR 93s I was gifted with. It was somewhat time-consuming but not actually difficult.

Yes, they will not be original, and the T/S characteristics won't be identical to new. I'd do it anyway.

Keep in mind that I've done exactly six speaker surround replacements. I'm not the expert westmassguy is. OTOH, the job is fairly easy, inexpensive, and gives a person satisfaction.

This ad does not specifically mention C-56, although they do use the word "Dorian" and "S-56".

http://www.springfieldspeakerrepair.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=2LE14-JBL