Hi Peter,
Neither of those companies you mention ring any bells with me, but that is not to say that there is anything wrong with them.
However, you did ask about personal experiences of UK re-coning companies, and, as mentioned, I have seen examples of Wembley's work which looked fine.
I don't know how handy you are, but you can also obtain re-coning kits for many of these older but popular drivers, and if I ever have the need I would certainly try one of these out, myself.
If you considered it possibly within your ability, this would be a much cheaper way of refurbishing your drivers, as it would avoid the need to send heavy items to and fro, apart from anything else.
I am sure that the hardest part would be centering the voice-coil when gluing up the surrounds etc., but I have never (yet!) been beaten by something along these lines, and I guess that with some ingenuity, suitable shims could be fabricated for a one-off like this. Anyway, it is just another thought.
As for TLs in general, I built most of the 'usual' designs mainly using B139, B110, T27, HF1300, HF2000, Coles 400G (?) that were around in those days, and ended up with some very enjoyable results. There is something quite special about TL loading for the bass frequencies in my experience, but the usually-necessary larger enclosure size (I was single then!) is less acceptable by one's other half. I had better sonic results generally with lines which didn't have parallel sides and were constructed more like the Baileys with triangular-section lines, for what it is worth.
I still have my own drawn plans and chipboard panels cut for my 'ultimate' TL from maybe 30 yrs ago (and all of the drivers, still in boxes!) but other personal matters intervened, unfortunately, and I fear that I'm getting on a bit to construct these monsters now. Time will tell.
More than once I met up with Bert Webb who was responsible for the TL design published in 'TAA' back in the early 70's (I think that was the time), and he also designed the Lentec TLs and Cambridge R40 & R50, which were all fine-sounding speakers. He was an amazing old guy (with very few teeth remaining) but he had a good ear and plenty of experience with these designs, and he kindly told me a few 'insider' secrets.
Good luck with your efforts.
Regards,
Neither of those companies you mention ring any bells with me, but that is not to say that there is anything wrong with them.
However, you did ask about personal experiences of UK re-coning companies, and, as mentioned, I have seen examples of Wembley's work which looked fine.
I don't know how handy you are, but you can also obtain re-coning kits for many of these older but popular drivers, and if I ever have the need I would certainly try one of these out, myself.
If you considered it possibly within your ability, this would be a much cheaper way of refurbishing your drivers, as it would avoid the need to send heavy items to and fro, apart from anything else.
I am sure that the hardest part would be centering the voice-coil when gluing up the surrounds etc., but I have never (yet!) been beaten by something along these lines, and I guess that with some ingenuity, suitable shims could be fabricated for a one-off like this. Anyway, it is just another thought.
As for TLs in general, I built most of the 'usual' designs mainly using B139, B110, T27, HF1300, HF2000, Coles 400G (?) that were around in those days, and ended up with some very enjoyable results. There is something quite special about TL loading for the bass frequencies in my experience, but the usually-necessary larger enclosure size (I was single then!) is less acceptable by one's other half. I had better sonic results generally with lines which didn't have parallel sides and were constructed more like the Baileys with triangular-section lines, for what it is worth.
I still have my own drawn plans and chipboard panels cut for my 'ultimate' TL from maybe 30 yrs ago (and all of the drivers, still in boxes!) but other personal matters intervened, unfortunately, and I fear that I'm getting on a bit to construct these monsters now. Time will tell.
More than once I met up with Bert Webb who was responsible for the TL design published in 'TAA' back in the early 70's (I think that was the time), and he also designed the Lentec TLs and Cambridge R40 & R50, which were all fine-sounding speakers. He was an amazing old guy (with very few teeth remaining) but he had a good ear and plenty of experience with these designs, and he kindly told me a few 'insider' secrets.
Good luck with your efforts.
Regards,
Bobken said:
Hi Bob.
These TL's as others have mentioned were based on the original Bailey Design, which was published quite some time ago in wireless world.
The version that you see here, was developed by Mr Richard Timmins here in Australia.
I am usure of Dave Tilbrooks involvement. However he was heavily involved with ETI and all things audio, so involvement by this gentleman was possible.
Furthermore, they were used for quite some time by the ETI owned magazine Hi Fi review.
(just read the front page of the artricle!!!)
I still have the full article for these speakers, and actually own a pair, which I built many years ago.
They are BIG, heavy and sound gorgeous.
Recently in another thread I discussed my upgrade to ribbom tweeters, which included the manufacture of a completely new front baffle, and alterations to the crossover.
Anyway, my 2 cents worth.
Cheers,
George.
Hi George and others like Dave,
This all adds to the 'database' on TLs, so thanks for this interesting information.
If I had entirely free choice, I would find it hard to go for any other bass loading than TL, as I always enjoyed the results.
More recently, I have tried taking the 'easy way out' and cheated a bit while playing around with active speakers and heavy digital EQ, in an attempt at placating my 'other half' and to keep to smaller boxes.
However, nothing (yet!) approaches the sound of a good TL for the bass regions.
Regards,
This all adds to the 'database' on TLs, so thanks for this interesting information.
If I had entirely free choice, I would find it hard to go for any other bass loading than TL, as I always enjoyed the results.
More recently, I have tried taking the 'easy way out' and cheated a bit while playing around with active speakers and heavy digital EQ, in an attempt at placating my 'other half' and to keep to smaller boxes.
However, nothing (yet!) approaches the sound of a good TL for the bass regions.
Regards,
Bobken said:
Have you seen the 2 B139 TLs on this page http://www.t-linespeakers.org/projects/vProjects.html
Scott & i did these up as modern reference designs using MJK.
dave
Hi Dave,
No, I hadn't seen those before, so thanks for the reference. I guess that with modern software techniques to aid in the line's 'development', these more-recent designs should work very well.
Not having played around with TLs for quite a few years, my experiences are more around the time of Rogers, Atkinson, Bert Webb's 'TAA' TL etc., for DIY designs, and IMFs, Lentecs, Cambridge & quite a few other professionally-made speakers.
Of course, inevitably they had a lot of similarities due to the 'limited' drivers available at that time, but being familiar with all of these designs, their mid and HF responses were never quite as good as I would have liked.
The bass was always more impressive than the upper ranges, in my view, and Bextrene etc. was never as clean and uncoloured that I could ignore the inherent characteristics, but that is very little to do with TL loading, of course.
If I ever get around to it, with the much improved mid & HF drivers available now, and I which I am more familiar with, I reckon an exceptionally fine-sounding TL is possible. If I can once get on top of other commitments and age-related health shortcomings, who knows?
Incidentally, have you seen the thread where another chap from 'down under' is considering building a pair of monster TDL TL replicas?
Regards,
No, I hadn't seen those before, so thanks for the reference. I guess that with modern software techniques to aid in the line's 'development', these more-recent designs should work very well.
Not having played around with TLs for quite a few years, my experiences are more around the time of Rogers, Atkinson, Bert Webb's 'TAA' TL etc., for DIY designs, and IMFs, Lentecs, Cambridge & quite a few other professionally-made speakers.
Of course, inevitably they had a lot of similarities due to the 'limited' drivers available at that time, but being familiar with all of these designs, their mid and HF responses were never quite as good as I would have liked.
The bass was always more impressive than the upper ranges, in my view, and Bextrene etc. was never as clean and uncoloured that I could ignore the inherent characteristics, but that is very little to do with TL loading, of course.
If I ever get around to it, with the much improved mid & HF drivers available now, and I which I am more familiar with, I reckon an exceptionally fine-sounding TL is possible. If I can once get on top of other commitments and age-related health shortcomings, who knows?
Incidentally, have you seen the thread where another chap from 'down under' is considering building a pair of monster TDL TL replicas?
Regards,
bespectacled said:
Hi Peter,
As nothing else has appeared on your thread for a few days, I just spent a bit of time, while having a cup of coffee, doing some Googling.
I am sure you will have seen many companies 'suggesting' that they have what you might need here, but they require a specific enquiry to determine if B110 parts are available from them.
However, something came up which was new to me and that is the "KEF Owners Thread", on www.avsforum.com.
I didn't have any time to look into this further, but if you are not already aware of this KEF-specific thread (as I wasn't before) it might be worth a try enquiring there in case some other KEF owners have had any such needs, and have found a supplier.
Regards,
HGi Bob/Peter, the other place, at least for enquiries, is another KEF forum. Just put "hifiloudspeakers" (one word) in Google. Now it may be the "avs" one but I doubt it. This one specialises in early KEF products. Might be useful.
And Bob just to do further "penance"/correction re; the earlier Oz TL. It had a B139. B110 and then options of HF1300 or T27 topped off with a choice of STC/Coles 4001 or Celestion HF2000.
And Bob just to do further "penance"/correction re; the earlier Oz TL. It had a B139. B110 and then options of HF1300 or T27 topped off with a choice of STC/Coles 4001 or Celestion HF2000.
Jonathan Bright said:
Hi Jonathan,
Join the Brigade! I have slipped up a couple of times lately (senior moments) including in this thread when I suggested the speakers which had the rebuilt drivers were IMFs, when actually they were TDLs (by the same designer, John Wright, of course). Luckily, none of these minor oversights were material. At least I am sure that we all mean well, even though age is not always on one's side.
I know all these drivers very well, and (amongst other drive-units) I still have a brand-new pair of all of the KEFs mentioned above together with HF 2000s, which have been waiting for well over 20yrs to be housed in my 'ultimate' TL design.
Other matters have intervened, and having used ATC mids and Scan-Speak tweeters for some years, I will be in a quandary if and when I ever get around to finishing these TLs.
Regards,
Hi - Just joined the forum and having a bit of a look around.
Bit of a KEF nut myself with 104ABs, 2 x JR149s, 103.2 ref, Concertos and for the Transmission Line fans - a pair of IMF TSL50s currently under refurbishment.
But to the point of your post, I have a pair of B110s from a pair of Concertos. Was to put them up on ebay shortly but give me a buzz if you are still interested. Am in Sydney and happy to post.
Cheers
Bit of a KEF nut myself with 104ABs, 2 x JR149s, 103.2 ref, Concertos and for the Transmission Line fans - a pair of IMF TSL50s currently under refurbishment.
But to the point of your post, I have a pair of B110s from a pair of Concertos. Was to put them up on ebay shortly but give me a buzz if you are still interested. Am in Sydney and happy to post.
Cheers
Still to be resolved...
Hi All
Has been a while.
Well the speakers became plinths and used to keep vases and other household trimmings off the floor. Then I hooked them up again and figured they were worth another crack. And the drivers still need attention (Kef b110 sp1004, yes sp1004)
I was unable to locate any recone kits and replacements seem to all be odds and sods. There are some copies on the market but they get the thumbs down elswhere). So I'm faced with two options:
Option 1:
Wembley Speakers in the UK will recone them for not too much but it costs $100 to send them and probably much the same to get them home.
It seems Wembley need to make up cones and they'll use the originals to make up a jig.
Option 2:
I replace them with more contemporary units, such as the Vifa as suggested above.
Some questions:
If I get the speakers reconed is there anyone out there who wants some cones made up at the same time?
If I use the Vifa speakers I will need to modify the crossover. I'm handy with a soldering iron and can almost read a wiring diagram, what is the best way of finding out what mods I need to make?
Of course any other advise warmly welcomed
All the best
Peter
Hi All
Has been a while.
Well the speakers became plinths and used to keep vases and other household trimmings off the floor. Then I hooked them up again and figured they were worth another crack. And the drivers still need attention (Kef b110 sp1004, yes sp1004)
I was unable to locate any recone kits and replacements seem to all be odds and sods. There are some copies on the market but they get the thumbs down elswhere). So I'm faced with two options:
Option 1:
Wembley Speakers in the UK will recone them for not too much but it costs $100 to send them and probably much the same to get them home.
It seems Wembley need to make up cones and they'll use the originals to make up a jig.
Option 2:
I replace them with more contemporary units, such as the Vifa as suggested above.
Some questions:
If I get the speakers reconed is there anyone out there who wants some cones made up at the same time?
If I use the Vifa speakers I will need to modify the crossover. I'm handy with a soldering iron and can almost read a wiring diagram, what is the best way of finding out what mods I need to make?
Of course any other advise warmly welcomed
All the best
Peter
For a repair service for your KEF B110,you could try Audiophile in Fitzroy,Melbourne.Nicola or Nicolai is the contact you should ask for.As far as I remember the main failures of this model were overloaded coils, the occasional splitting bextrene cone and lifting of the Plastiflex coating away from the cone.If the cone is undamaged repair using the original cone is on the cards.
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