Small cracks in MW6500 surrounds

dc55110
dc55110 Posts: 128
edited March 2009 in Vintage Speakers
After replacing the MW6500 that had a tear in the surround (thanks ND13) I was taking a closer look at the other MW in my Monitor 10A’s. I noticed very small cracking on the surrounds of two other MW’s when the passive radiator was pushed in and the MW were fully extended. Is there something I can do to prevent these slight cracks from becoming tears? Any type of reconditioning?
(((STEREO)))
Sony DVP-N9000es
Squeezebox Duet
Theta ProBasic IIIA
Audio Research SP14
White Audio Labs B1
Transparent SoundWave Super
Paradigm Studio Monitor
B&W 802 s3

HT
Sony Bravia KDL-40Z4100
Sony BDP-S350
Yamaha HTR-5790
NHT SB3 (Fronts)
NHT SC2 (center)
NHT SB2 (surround)
Velodyne FSR12
Post edited by dc55110 on
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Comments

  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2009
    I would give Polk CS a call and see if they have any experience with this issue. That is definitely something you wouldn't want to get worse. :eek:
    Jake
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    I would put a rubber conditioner like a tire care product on them. DO NOT use Armor-All!
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited March 2009
    At this point, no conditioning is going to repair cracks. It will only swell the rubber so you can't see the cracks anymore. The damage is already done. Even rubber will eventually deteriorate with age, albeit much slower than foam surrounds. What are the dates on the drivers?
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited March 2009
    I hear mink oil is good for rubber surrounds to keep the rubber conditioned but depending on where you live and the humidity eventually they will go bad.
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  • dc55110
    dc55110 Posts: 128
    edited March 2009
    nadams wrote: »
    what are the dates on the drivers?

    9-2-80
    (((STEREO)))
    Sony DVP-N9000es
    Squeezebox Duet
    Theta ProBasic IIIA
    Audio Research SP14
    White Audio Labs B1
    Transparent SoundWave Super
    Paradigm Studio Monitor
    B&W 802 s3

    HT
    Sony Bravia KDL-40Z4100
    Sony BDP-S350
    Yamaha HTR-5790
    NHT SB3 (Fronts)
    NHT SC2 (center)
    NHT SB2 (surround)
    Velodyne FSR12
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dc55110
    dc55110 Posts: 128
    edited March 2009
    nadams wrote: »
    At this point, no conditioning is going to repair cracks. It will only swell the rubber so you can't see the cracks anymore. The damage is already done.

    So what you are saying... Play them till they fail, then replace the drivers?
    (((STEREO)))
    Sony DVP-N9000es
    Squeezebox Duet
    Theta ProBasic IIIA
    Audio Research SP14
    White Audio Labs B1
    Transparent SoundWave Super
    Paradigm Studio Monitor
    B&W 802 s3

    HT
    Sony Bravia KDL-40Z4100
    Sony BDP-S350
    Yamaha HTR-5790
    NHT SB3 (Fronts)
    NHT SC2 (center)
    NHT SB2 (surround)
    Velodyne FSR12
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited March 2009
    I would replace them now, those surrounds are about as thick as a baloon and failure is certain. It probably is already affecting the sound quality
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,746
    edited March 2009
    29 years old......they owe you nothing. Time to buy some new ones.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited March 2009
    Yep, I'd say they're about due for new drivers. Then you can enjoy what are essentially new vintage Polks!
    Ludicrous gibs!
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