How long can speakers last?

seafire

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

Go make some more of your superior audio cables.It's funny-it's like you are all jealous of the fact that people talk to me and actually have to smear me.What a joke Ben.Kindergarten for you :cool:

nooshinjohn

seafire wrote: »

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:

oh crap... I made Seafart's ignore list... to bad for me:D

thsmith

Wow, I was going to add something for the OP but skipped the 3 pages to get to the last post.

I think part of what makes speakers last a long time is care as many others have said but also the original build quiality of the speaker.

Take Polk SDAs for example and the fact that did not use foam surrounds, how smart was that ? MY 1Cs are 20 years old and the MW and PRs are intact and sound great.

Keep the cats off of them;)

comfortablycurt

seafire wrote: »

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:

You challenge me to ask you anything? Well...I don't really have anything to ask you. Sorry.;)

When you told me, "don't believe me, ask any speaker manufacturer", was supposed to be a hint towards you apparently owning a company that produces custom loudspeakers, it just went right over my head.

Thinking about it in hindsight, it still goes right over my head. I don't know how I was supposed to draw that conclusion...You must just be a lot smarter than I am.

So, what's the name of your company? Got some pictures of your work? I'd love to see it, and I'm sure everyone else would too.

seafire

thsmith wrote: »

Wow, I was going to add something for the OP but skipped the 3 pages to get to the last post.

I think part of what makes speakers last a long time is care as many others have said but also the original build quiality of the speaker.

Take Polk SDAs for example and the fact that did not use foam surrounds, how smart was that ? MY 1Cs are 20 years old and the MW and PRs are intact and sound great.

Keep the cats off of them;)

Yup that's why they are world renown!.There products are long lasting quality

seafire

comfortablycurt wrote: »

You challenge me to ask you anything? Well...I don't really have anything to ask you. Sorry.;)

When you told me, "don't believe me, ask any speaker manufacturer", was supposed to be a hint towards you apparently owning a company that produces custom loudspeakers, it just went right over my head.

Thinking about it in hindsight, it still goes right over my head. I don't know how I was supposed to draw that conclusion...You must just be a lot smarter than I am.

So, what's the name of your company? Got some pictures of your work? I'd love to see it, and I'm sure everyone else would too.

Treat me with a little respect and maybe a whole new world will open up
I have to go but will catch you later;)
PS.That sounded wrong...stop calling me names and insulting me and vice versa and we take it from there ok?

nooshinjohn

seafire wrote: »

Yup that's why they are world renown!.There products are long lasting quality

but you said that speakers DON'T last.... IDIOT

Hilbert

A near relative, whose identity I shall discreetly conceal, bought a pair of Sansuis in Korea 30 years ago and subsequently abused them for years in the usual alcohol- and volume-related ways, in the army and in college. He has them today and they still sound pretty good.

Which suggests that all the generalizations in the world aren't much help in predicting the lifespan of a particular pair of speakers.

seafire

Hilbert wrote: »

A near relative, whose identity I shall discreetly conceal, bought a pair of Sansuis in Korea 30 years ago and subsequently abused them for years in the usual alcohol- and volume-related ways, in the army and in college. He has them today and they still sound pretty good.

Which suggests that all the generalizations in the world aren't much help in predicting the lifespan of a particular pair of speakers.

True as with most things in life

Hilbert

Looks like efforts to get the thread back on track are doomed.

ps written before i saw post #78, not a response

nooshinjohn

Hilbert wrote: »

Looks like efforts to get the thread back on track are doomed.

N/P I will refrain from addressing Seafart any further here.

seafire

nooshinjohn wrote: »

but you said that speakers DON'T last.... IDIOT

hmmmm some more education.Do last and long lasting mean the same thing to you?.The ing on the back should tell you that it has a life span.IDIOT!!!

comfortablycurt

seafire wrote: »

Treat me with a little respect and maybe a whole new world will open up
I have to go but will catch you later;)
PS.That sounded wrong...stop calling me names and insulting me and vice versa and we take it from there ok?

A whole new world will open up?

I'm not making any promises. I might insult you again. I haven't decided yet...we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Just some friendly advice though, that shoe can be worn on both feet. Quit trying to act like your knowledge is right without question every single time. You'd probably get a lot more respect if you were open to the possibility that you're wrong from time to time.

ben62670

Speaking of shoes. Flip flops comes to mind.

Toolfan66

How bout getting back to helping the OP....

dpowell

I'm getting Sea-sick

F1nut

seafire wrote: »

Armorall is junk.I am talking about pure silicon.This does not break down rubber but seals it from harsh environmental chemicals.

You don't know what you're talking about. In fact, harsh environmental chemicals will attack and destroy 100% pure silicone. There are silicone compounds that are made for sealing purposes, but nothing one would want to put on rubber driver surrounds. One also has to consider that liquid or aerosol silicone migrates to anything and everything around it. With electronic devices such as speakers you're talking about a disaster waiting to happen as silicone will cause any electrical contact such as voice coils and wire terminations to fail.

In addition, cured rubber will not absorb silicone, so it can't extend the life of a rubber driver surround. Nor is silicone anything that one would want to use on a finished speaker cabinet.

Correct polyurethane is a catalyzed lacquer (my bad)

Nope, you're still wrong. Polyurethane is nothing like cat lac as poly cures by reacting with oxygen while cat lac cures because of the acid catalyst. They also have very different thinners. While poly can be sprayed, I wouldn't recommend it. Cat lac, on the other hand, must be sprayed. Poly takes hours to dry, while cat lac is dry in minutes.

lightman1

seafire wrote: »

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:

OOH I want to cool! Can I be on that ignore list too?

Please Please!

Is your name Richard Head by chance?
Did your parents show you any love as a child?
Were you always picked last in dodge-ball?
Was your existance in high school only acknowleged at graduation?
Do women give you the answer to your question, "Ohh that's sweet, but I have to de-claw my cat that night"?

Call me Russ or you can make up a snappy nickname for lightman.

seafire

F1nut wrote: »

You don't know what you're talking about. In fact, harsh environmental chemicals will attack and destroy 100% pure silicone. There are silicone compounds that are made for sealing purposes, but nothing one would want to put on rubber driver surrounds. One also has to consider that liquid or aerosol silicone migrates to anything and everything around it. With electronic devices such as speakers you're talking about a disaster waiting to happen as silicone will cause any electrical contact such as voice coils and wire terminations to fail.

In addition, cured rubber will not absorb silicone, so it can't extend the life of a rubber driver surround. Nor is silicone anything that one would want to use on a finished speaker cabinet.



Nope, you're still wrong. Polyurethane is nothing like cat lac as poly cures by reacting with oxygen while cat lac cures because of the acid catalyst. They also have very different thinners. While poly can be sprayed, I wouldn't recommend it. Cat lac, on the other hand, must be sprayed. Poly takes hours to dry, while cat lac is dry in minutes.

Wrong.Two pack polyurethane uses a catalyst to cure not oxygen.2k2 lacs used for the automotive industry do dry faster but are not as hard and scratch resistant as 2 pack polyurethane.Polyurethane is much more durable and is used on boats and harsh environmental situations.
The company that supplies most of our hi end drivers use butyl surrounds which are released from their mould using silicon compound.They advised me to use this for maintenance of surrounds.Can't be wrong as some of these speakers are 20+ years old with surround still intact

F1nut

You're a moron. YOU were talking about finishes on speakers, not boats, harsh environmental situations or the auto industry. Besides that, catalyzed polyurethane is still NOT catalyzed lacquer.....two very different finishes.

They advised me to use this for maintenance of surrounds.

BS!

seafire

TWO PACK POLYURETHANE FINISH PAINT

Two pack Acrylic polyol based system cured with polyisocynate adduct. Specially designed to meet the requirements of Automobiles industry, Electric industries, electronic, mechanical & other industries
Product Specifications


Composition Two pack Acrylic polyol base cured with polyisocynate adduct.
Sp. Gravity Solid 1.20 (± 0.05kg) per Ltr.
Non-Volatile Content 60% (± 5%)
Finishes of Grinding 7+
Supply Viscosity 80 (± 10 sec) at Room Temp
Application viscosity 20-22 Sec
Mixing Ratio Paint : 8 parts, Hardener : 1 part , Thinner : 4 parts.
Pot life 6 hrs. min at 25 °c
Thinner P.U. Thinner
Covering 100 ± 10Sq.fts

Dry film Properties

Gloss 90 units at 60 °c
Dry film thickness 25 to 30 microns
Pencil hardness 2 H
Scratch hardness Passes 2000 gms
Flexibility test 1/8” Passes
Impact test 60cm (500gms) passes
Adhesion ( Cross Cut) 100% (TG-5) for 1mm
Mar Resistance after 7 days, no scratch marks, when nail run over it
Film appearance Smooth & Glossy

DRY FILM RESITANCE PROPERTIES

Resistance of Engine Oil No deterioration of gloss, hardness of paint film (48hrs.)
Resistance of Gear Oilss No deterioration of gloss, hardness of paint film (48hrs.)
Resistance to Petrol No deterioration of gloss, colour, hardness of paint film (24hrs. at R.T.)
Resistance to Acid No Change in colour & Gloss (0.1N) (H2SO4) (24hrs. R.T.)
Resistance to Alkali No Change in colour & gloss (2% NaoH) (24hrs. R.T.)
Salt Spray Passes (5% Nacl solution)
Moisture Resistance No Blistering, loss of gloss, loss of adhesion when exposed To R.H. 95-98% at 42-48 °c for 240 hrs.
Accelerated weathering test four hrs UV range at 55-60 °c & 4hrs. condensation 45-50 °cfor 500hrs. Free from decolouration, loss of gloss blister, cracks, chalking, rust formation & loss of adhesion . Gloss reduction 10% fromoriginal gloss accepted.

YAWWWN :rolleyes:Polyurethane is a versatile 2 pac product which can be used to coat a number of different substrates, e.g., wood, MDF, plastic and fibreglass, resulting in a number of important benefits including:

* Durability - Polyurethane is extremely hard and tough;
* High resistance to scratching and abrasion;
* High temperature stability and resistance;
* Unlimited colour selections;
* Colourfast - Polyurethane does not yellow with age;
* Varying gloss levels; and
* Specialised finishes, e.g., metallic, pearl and textured.

Lush Coatings uses only 100% exterior grade, UV-stabilised polyurethane made from the finest resins available.

seafire

Anyway for those that care we do not manufacture paint but use these 2 pack polyurethane clear coats on our real wood veneers

NotaSuv

Art Linkletter is a fantastic speaker and hes 96

Rocco1

Wow! This has to be the best thread ever.
I learned a lot.

I think the OP was asking about how long a speaker can last.
I would think that most people think that a speaker sounds better with time.
I think that even if not "up to specs" that a speaker has character after awhile. I grow old with my speakers, and its sounds ages with me. Most people with a high end 2 chann rig would probably agree with me. I just have a cheap 2 channel rig with my old speakers and I love the way they sound.

I guess your speakers will last until they either break, or you dont like what they sound like anymore.

steveinaz

I have a 31 year old pair of Pioneer HPM-40's still rockin the 70's mancave; and a 31 year old Pioneer SX-780 receiver providing the output!

reeltrouble1

I have a tubed (of course) Magnavox Radio from the late 50's, never did much to the speakers and they play just fine.

RT1

F1nut

Two pack Acrylic polyol based system cured with polyisocynate adduct. Specially designed to meet the requirements of Automobiles industry, Electric industries, electronic, mechanical & other industries
Product Specifications

I'm thrilled that you know how to Google, but that doesn't change the fact that catalyzed polyurethane is still NOT catalyzed lacquer. Nor does it change the fact that no one uses it on their speakers.

heiney9

seafire wrote: »

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.

Well what about my case where I have 30wpc and my speakers can handle 500wpc.

The 30 watts I have now certainly plays louder, cleaner and has more dynamics than my previous 125 wpc amp and a 200wpc amp.

How can this be?????????? Well, because there are no absolutes in audio and in many cases there are always several exceptions.

A good rule of thumb (very loosely interpreted) is the more power the better, but that is not true in many cases as each individual circumstance will have a multitude of variables which make the above rule of thumb invalid.

YMMV

H9

jinjuku

Cross over components, especially capacitors, can degrade over the period of 15-20 years. Basically the electrolytic can start to dry or leak. Been known do happen. There is a difference in cost between like capacitors because of build quality. Get the best you can afford if DIY'ing your own speakers/x-overs.

X-Over gurus like Roman Bednarek or John 'Zaph' Krutke could provide better feedback. I think getting ~20 years of quality sound shouldn't be a problem. Most likely you will have to re-cone or re-surround the woofer if it is paper based or foam. I have also heard people redoing the X-overs at around the 15 year mark just as a maintenance item.

Other potential effects of time is woofer sag. It happens. I have some PSB Century 500i's and the 400i's going on 14 years old for another setup. They still sound great. Do they sound like they did when they were new? I don't think any one could say for sure (unless you have a pair that you can bring out of Stasis ).

jinjuku

seafire wrote: »

From the first day you run new speaker drivers their deterioration begins.If you check their factory specs after a couple of years the VAS and FS will be out due to the fact that the mechanical compliance(QMS) changes because the surround and spider wear out.So anybody telling you that speakers still sound "fine" after 20 years has a ear who's ability to function has deteriorated with his speakers!:)If the specs are out the speaker is not producing sound according to how the factory designed it.PERIOD

While I don't doubt speakers change as the age, they can still sound fine. Lets face it people habituate to their surroundings. If your speakers please you after 15-20 years than there shouldn't be much to worry about.