How long can speakers last?

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  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    My Altec 604B 'duplex' (coax) speakers were made in the early 1950s. Like all vintage AlNiCo speakers, they could probably benefit from a magnet recharging (Great Plains Audio will do it) but they should have 50 or more good years left (the woofers will need to be reconed at some point).

    Most speakers around here are from the 1950s and 1960s, with a few from the 70s. Most could benefit from new capacitors in their crossovers (if so equipped) but the drivers can last a long, long time.

    I am sure that the issue of replacing deteriorated foam surrounds on drivers so equipped is well known to all and sundry here.

    Yup just said the same ;)
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Unfortunately on this subject I feel that technology is being used for the wrong reasons.Most of the new speakers one buys today use technology to make the speaker sound the same or nearly the same as older hi end models using less expensive manufacturing processes and materials.Call me old fashioned but the older real wood cabinet speakers with air dried spruce pulp cones beat any new cone materials my ears have heard :cool:
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    ComfortablyCurt you here?
  • Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2009
    seafire wrote: »
    LOL sorry.Yes I agree the older the violin gets the better.Unfortunately the day does arrive when the wood starts breaking down ;)

    That's not true at all...as long as the wood is properly preserved and regularly treated there's no reason for it to break down. I forget the exact years off hand, but the Stradivarius instruments were all produced between roughly 1690 and 1750. They're all between 250-300 years old and most of them are in as good of shape now as they were new.

    Wood does break down over time, but there are things you can do to prevent that. It can last forever when properly maintained. Unless we're talking about 2000 years in the future or something.
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2009
    ComfortablyCurt you here?

    No, I'm not.

    Keiko wrote: »
    That's weird, according to polk they say NOT to use any type of furniture polish on the wood cabs. Just a cloth, dampened with water. I wonder why?

    Ahhh, what do they know. They only produced the things. I'll be back, I'm gonna run out and buy a 5 gallon bucket of industrial strength furniture polish and get these things shining like a chrome bumper in the sunlight.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Keiko wrote: »
    That's weird, according to polk they say NOT to use any type of furniture polish on the wood cabs. Just a cloth, dampened with water. I wonder why?

    Maybe their cabinets are finished with polyurethane wood varnish .In that case furniture polish is not needed.Maybe that's why :rolleyes:
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    No, I'm not.




    Ahhh, what do they know. They only produced the things. I'll be back, I'm gonna run out and buy a 5 gallon bucket of industrial strength furniture polish and get these things shining like a chrome bumper in the sunlight.
    It's funny you just replied telling me that there are ways to preserve wood these days and then you come with this comment?.And yes I was referring to the long term future .BTW the hint was that I own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers ;).Any questions ?
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Keiko wrote: »
    Maybe you should to quit blowing smoke out of your a$$. :rolleyes:

    I'm outa here.

    Sorry keko getting a little technical for you ? :cool:
  • Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2009
    seafire wrote: »
    It's funny you just replied telling me that there are ways to preserve wood these days and then you come with this comment?.And yes I was referring to the long term future .BTW the hint was that I own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers ;).Any questions ?

    Um...It kinda depends on the type of wood/finish we're talking about here. I don't think the 275 year old Stradivarius instruments were finished in quite the same way as modern loudspeakers are. Thus, they need to be treated according to their own requirements.

    Also, furniture polish isn't generally what they use on Stradivarius instruments.;)

    So how exactly was "Don't believe me ask any speaker manufacturer" supposed to be a hint that you own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers? The statement "Don't believe me ask any speaker manufacturer", in no way, shape or form implies that you own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers. How exactly was I supposed to come to that conclusion through that statement?

    What's the name of this company that you own that manufactures custom loud speakers? I got 10 bucks riding on him refusing to tell us the name of it.:rolleyes:
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Um...It kinda depends on the type of wood/finish we're talking about here. I don't think the 275 year old Stradivarius instruments were finished in quite the same way as modern loudspeakers are. Thus, they need to be treated according to their own requirements.

    Also, furniture polish isn't generally what they use on Stradivarius instruments.;)

    So how exactly was "Don't believe me ask any speaker manufacturer" supposed to be a hint that you own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers? The statement "Don't believe me ask any speaker manufacturer", in no way, shape or form implies that you own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers. How exactly was I supposed to come to that conclusion through that statement?

    What's the name of this company that you own that manufactures custom loud speakers? I got 10 bucks riding on him refusing to tell us the name of it.:rolleyes:
    You know what.I am pretty done with your snotty attitude.I really was going to tell you but hey why should I do you the favour.However I challenge you to ask me anything with regards to loudspeakers,loudspeaker design,drivers and crossover designs.Make my day :rolleyes:
  • Posts: 50,948
    edited April 2009
    If you have butyl rubber surrounds I feed them silicon oil 4 times a year to preserve the surrounds(if cones are polyprop this can be applied on to the polyprop too).

    That is the worst thing you can apply to a rubber surround, the cone and the speaker cabinet. Just like ArmorAll, which contains silicone, it actually breaks down the rubber.
    Maybe their cabinets are finished with polyurethane wood varnish

    I don't know of any speaker company that uses polyurethane. Lacquer or catalyzed lacquer are the standard. Niether of which need waxing.
    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

  • Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2009
    Leave it to the newbs to ruin another thread.

    Take this crap to PM's.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    Butyl rubber can last a very long time. True rubber on old military vehicles from the 50's is still good. I don't do foam.
    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
  • Posts: 25,526
    edited April 2009
    ..
    Does a Stradivarius get 'worse' with AGE??
    seafire wrote: »
    Yes.Although the slope will be very subtle because of the HQ drivers and materials Sonus Faber uses ;)
    PS.Are you asking if I am a sophist in the new order? Answer is no.Like in Greek times yes :)

    It only stands to reason that the finest of all string instruments would be unknown to you... Idiot. Do you actually seek out threads to fu@# up with your BS... As with all things, if maintained properly and given the right care, anything can last a lifetime and in fact get better with age. Listen to a Strad and compare that to any other violin... there is none. Listen to the symphony of a Ferrari 250 GTO compared with any other V12... Even though that Ferrari is 40 years old or better, nothing comes close... The same is true of speakers IMHO. As I stated, with proper care and maintenance/repair, high quality speakers do the same.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    That is the worst thing you can apply to a rubber surround, the cone and the speaker cabinet. Just like ArmorAll, which contains silicone, it actually breaks down the rubber.



    I don't know of any speaker company that uses polyurethane. Lacquer or catalyzed lacquer are the standard. Niether of which need waxing.

    Armorall is junk.I am talking about pure silicon.This does not break down rubber but seals it from harsh environmental chemicals.
    Correct polyurethane is a catalyzed lacquer (my bad)
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Butyl rubber can last a very long time. True rubber on old military vehicles from the 50's is still good. I don't do foam.
    It is the only surround I use on speakers.Pure butyl rubber surrounds ;)
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Idiot...

    Go play with your " hi end '' 4 year old Sunfire IDIOT :cool:
  • Posts: 25,526
    edited April 2009
    seafire wrote: »
    It's funny you just replied telling me that there are ways to preserve wood these days and then you come with this comment?.And yes I was referring to the long term future .BTW the hint was that I own a company that manufactures custom loudspeakers ;).Any questions ?

    Is this your company?


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m8fbnShPcw


    That explains a lot of things. I suppose your speakers are the finest in the world, and thats why you know so much about everything... blow it out your a$$ seafart. As an aside.. my Sunfire would love to go up against ANYTHING you can throw at it. Your old panasonic cd/alarmclock combo is no match I am quite sure of that
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Is this your company?


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m8fbnShPcw


    That explains a lot of things. I suppose your speakers are the finest in the world, and thats why you know so much about everything... blow it out your a$$ seafart. As an aside.. my Sunfire would love to go up against ANYTHING you can throw at it. Your old panasonic cd/alarmclock combo is no match I am quite sure of that
    Shame it's actually quiet funny.My Sunfire is brand new(used it for about two months for evaluation puposes)and jammed it back in it's box.You on the other hand were excited and couldn't wait to get your hands on this old news item.And now you think you own hi end audio.Give yourself a break buddy :cool:
  • Posts: 25,526
    edited April 2009
    I don't consider Sunfire to be high end, rather very solid mid-fi gear, and as close as my budget allows to high-fi. Krell/Levinson/Mcintosh/Classe and the like are high-fi in my book. If you own a Sunfire(and that's a BIG IF seeing as though you are so full of crap on everything else) I will be donating it to the nearest Goodwill I can find.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    Great. You guys have to keep feeding Sea-Dud.
    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
  • Posts: 25,526
    edited April 2009
    I figure if he can be contained to just a few threads instead of the entire forum we will all be better off.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Great. You guys have to keep feeding Sea-Dud.
    Yes Ben that is true.If people reply with a ugly attitude I reply back.Scroll up on this thread and notice that I agreed with many here and gave some advice to a newbie.Enter people like John and fire straight with the insults!:cool:
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    I figure if he can be contained to just a few threads instead of the entire forum we will all be better off.
    Better donate your sunfire hehehe.You came on here and climbed down my throat with insults.Who do you think you are ?
  • Posts: 115
    edited April 2009
    seafire wrote: »
    Ok.9 out of 10 times it is safer to play a 100 watt speaker on a 300 watt amp rather than vice versa.What kills speakers are small amps driven into clipping distortion.This will fry your tweeters in seconds.I apply silicon oil (silicon spray) on the surrounds of the speakers(the rubber around the speaker).If it's paper cones make sure the silicon doesn't touch the paper cones.If it's polyprop(plastic) you can wipe the with silicon spray too on the speaker surface.Don't do this too often.4 times per year I apply this :)

    so what you mean is. Larger power amp and small power concern speakers that will never had a problem. Is it? Like if I have 140w per channel amp and I have 100w speaker I will be fine?
  • Posts: 25,526
    edited April 2009
    seafire wrote: »
    Better donate your sunfire hehehe.You came on here and climbed down my throat with insults.Who do you think you are ?
    I am not the only one,only the most recent. You claim some sort of superiority over everyone else with your profound wisdom and experience. From what I have observed, almost nobody seems to have had a similar experience to yours, whether it be cables, speakers or anything else. To put it mildly, you land on threads that you can use to create and promote controversy for which you become the center of attention... shut the hell up sometimes and let a thread pass by without trying to come across as an expert on everything... that is all, :rolleyes:Nuff said
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    mr2sw21 wrote: »
    so what you mean is. Larger power amp and small power concern speakers that will never had a problem. Is it? Like if I have 140w per channel amp and I have 100w speaker I will be fine?
    Obviously you have to use the volume button with care.But yes the bigger amp will supply cleaner power to your speakers giving better headroom, control,dynamics and the minimum distortion and clipping. :)
  • Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    mr2 I would ignore seapoo. He has some sort of social disorder. A small percentage of what he says almost makes sense, but most is useless regurgitation.
    Ben
    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
  • Posts: 25,526
    edited April 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    mr2 i would ignore seapoo. He has some sort of social disorder. A small percentage of what he says almost makes sense, but most is useless regurgitation.
    Ben


    ...+1
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    I am not the only one,only the most recent. You claim some sort of superiority over everyone else with your profound wisdom and experience. From what I have observed, almost nobody seems to have had a similar one to yours whether it be cables, speakers or anything else. To put it mildly, you land on threads that you can use to create and promote controversy for which you become the center of attention... shut the hell up sometimes and let a thread pass by without trying to come across as an expert on everything... that is all, :rolleyes:Nuff said
    Funny many threads here pass with out me saying a word!.
    So where did I cause controversy on this one?And just what gives you the right and me not to barge in anywhere with your opinion?
    That is it! Another one on my ignore list
    goodnight all :cool:

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