wharfedale dovedale

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Thanks for this info. I just bought a pair second-hand for NZ$75, advertised as reasonable condition with all drivers working.

Sadly, on getting them home I found there is *zero* bass. The rubber surrounds are as hard as bakelite (but not as tough, it cracks when pushed :( ). I'm waiting on a quote from an Auckland speaker specialist now for a repair job - replacing surrounds. Your info might come in handy depending on how they reply to my enquiry.

If I can afford the repair, as the other drivers seem fine, I'm planning on replacing the x-over caps and enjoying some more 70s British speaker goodness.

(I have a pair each of Goodmans SL Magnums and Mezzos, both from mid-70s, both sound great! The Magnums have more bass punch but the Mezzos are the clearest speakers I've ever heard - bar none. I'm hearing new stuff in music I've been listening to since the 70s! Also the odd bit of lyric that has bugged me for decades is now clear as a bell - awesome speakers.)

Regards,
/S.
 
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Demidemon,when the rubber roll surround hardens;a common ageing process,there is always a possibility that the cone will be creased and/or the voice coil former, also .Hopefully your cones are still o.k. as it is hard to get cones that are equivalent to the originals.
 
Demidemon,when the rubber roll surround hardens;a common ageing process,there is always a possibility that the cone will be creased and/or the voice coil former, also .Hopefully your cones are still o.k. as it is hard to get cones that are equivalent to the originals.
Hi VaNarn, Thanks for the reply. The speakers have been in storage for the best part of a decade and I think the surrounds hardened then. The cones and what I can see of the bottom end look pristine, like the day they left the factory - Except a little discolouration in a few places near the surround. If I had to guess I'd say someone tried treating the rubber with silicone oil or Armourall and a little crept onto the cone edge.

If I'm right in my assumption then hopefully it's not an issue, either with adhesive bonding or strength of the cone - it still feels hard and stiff in those (small) areas.

Thanks again. :)
 
I picked up a pair of Dovedale III a few days ago (12 inch woofers). The rubber rolls were brittle like glass and broken; so I have to replace them. Unfortunately this size seems rather rare. Local suppliers of speaker parts (including foam rings) replied they can not provide such rubber rolls.

Any tip that would lead to a supplier of those rubber rolls would be very much appreciated. As a second option I would go for foam rings.

Thanks a lot for any replies.
 
Hi,

I had the rubber problem, and eventually thought nothing to lose and repaired them with some bicycle inter tube, documented here:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/blogs/hbc/1062-wharfedale-dovedale-cone-rubber-repair.html

They are still going and I love them, running off a 3 watt valve amp. That bass is so deep. I am thinking of recapping them soon especially the mid and tweeter as all the caps are non-polar electrolytics.

They are not as "good", but I actually find them easier to get on with than my ns1000s at the moment, not quite as clear, but the bass is much lower. Like most speakers, they respond well to good quality source / amps etc.
 
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