Audax bextrene drive unit replacements

mike.turner · 5th June 2004, 11:58 PM

I have a pair of old Audiomaster MLS1 speakers, which I'm rather fond of. One of the bass drivers recently got overheated due to an amplifier failure and whilst it still works, I'm concerned it may fail soon - or at least be partially damaged.

Does anyone out there know where I might find a replacement drive unit (or better still, a pair) - they're an Audax bextrene cone type, marked HD17B25J (about 16.5 cm outside diameter).

Or is there somewhere which can repair these drive units (the cone and surround appear undamaged).

Thanks in advance & best regards

Mike

sreten · 6th June 2004, 10:41 AM

If my memory is correct that is the smaller magnet version of
that driver, suited to sealed box loading, the larger magnet
version being suited to sealed or reflex loading.

As far as I know no modern units are particular similar.

Drop- in replacement is not a good idea, you would have to be
very lucky for it to work well, really depends on the complexity
of the crossover, if it includes EQ for the driver, treble level at
minimum would need readjusting.

However its not all bad news :

Permanent thermal damage of a drivers voice coil is
usually immediate, causing permanent failure.

If the coil has delaminated it can soldier on (possibly
making scraping noises) and the part that has come
away from the main coil will tend to overheat.

But if there appears to be no apparent damage, IMO
imminent failure is not the case, they should be fine.

As a replacement you'll be charged an arm and a leg for
the drivers, however if you can find it on Ebay or similar
it should be very cheap.

Repairing the coil is not an option.

sreten.

mike.turner · 6th June 2004, 01:21 PM

Sreten, many for the reply and for the reassuring and valuable advice.

Your comments about repairs confirm what I'd suspected -- that is, the best thing would be to watch out on Ebay (etc) for replacement drivers, or even for a pair of the MLS1 speakers; I don't think they fetch that much money and as you say, compared to a re-build or NOS driver....

Thanks again

Mike

sreten · 6th June 2004, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike.turner
Sreten, many for the reply and for the reassuring and valuable advice.

Your comments about repairs confirm what I'd suspected -- that is, the best thing
would be to watch out on Ebay (etc) for replacement drivers, or even for a pair of
the MLS1 speakers; I don't think they fetch that much money and as you say,
compared to a re-build or NOS driver....

Thanks again

Mike

Well as far as I know Audiomaster were an offshoot of a London
retailer (K.J. Sound ?) and amost completely unknown, so they
do go very cheap, and they were not expensive to start with.

The larger MLS3 (I think?), reflex Audax 8"/Audax 1" was well
rated, at the time a Spendor BC1 ish speaker on the cheap,
worth seeking out for a "classic" British balance.

sreten.

Bill Fitzpatrick · 6th June 2004, 04:48 PM

That driver you are looking for sounds familiar. I think I may have one or two in the garage. I'll check later today.

Salas · 6th June 2004, 10:48 PM

Falcon used to carry HD Audaxes in the old times...drop them a line

Dave S · 7th June 2004, 06:10 PM

Hi Mike,

Just came across this in HIFI World:

www.wembleyloudspeaker.com

Try the repair and restoration link.

Cheers

Dave

maraudingtechie · 19th June 2004, 10:47 PM

My Italian isn't so good, but the GOOGLE translator took a shot at this:

http://translate.google.com/translat...UTF-8%26sa%3DG

The website has a list of Audax bextrene drivers of the correct vintage and part number. Perhaps he has NOS or has methods to repair them; some of the faqs suggest this is what is provided as a service.

MT

5th June 2004, 11:58 PM	#1
mike.turner diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Whixley, North Yorkshire, England	Audax bextrene drive unit replacements I have a pair of old Audiomaster MLS1 speakers, which I'm rather fond of. One of the bass drivers recently got overheated due to an amplifier failure and whilst it still works, I'm concerned it may fail soon - or at least be partially damaged. Does anyone out there know where I might find a replacement drive unit (or better still, a pair) - they're an Audax bextrene cone type, marked HD17B25J (about 16.5 cm outside diameter). Or is there somewhere which can repair these drive units (the cone and surround appear undamaged). Thanks in advance & best regards Mike

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6th June 2004, 10:41 AM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	If my memory is correct that is the smaller magnet version of that driver, suited to sealed box loading, the larger magnet version being suited to sealed or reflex loading. As far as I know no modern units are particular similar. Drop- in replacement is not a good idea, you would have to be very lucky for it to work well, really depends on the complexity of the crossover, if it includes EQ for the driver, treble level at minimum would need readjusting. However its not all bad news : Permanent thermal damage of a drivers voice coil is usually immediate, causing permanent failure. If the coil has delaminated it can soldier on (possibly making scraping noises) and the part that has come away from the main coil will tend to overheat. But if there appears to be no apparent damage, IMO imminent failure is not the case, they should be fine. As a replacement you'll be charged an arm and a leg for the drivers, however if you can find it on Ebay or similar it should be very cheap. Repairing the coil is not an option. sreten.

6th June 2004, 01:21 PM	#3
mike.turner diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Whixley, North Yorkshire, England	Sreten, many for the reply and for the reassuring and valuable advice. Your comments about repairs confirm what I'd suspected -- that is, the best thing would be to watch out on Ebay (etc) for replacement drivers, or even for a pair of the MLS1 speakers; I don't think they fetch that much money and as you say, compared to a re-build or NOS driver.... Thanks again Mike

6th June 2004, 04:48 PM	#5
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	That driver you are looking for sounds familiar. I think I may have one or two in the garage. I'll check later today.

6th June 2004, 10:48 PM	#6
Salas diyAudio Chief Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Athens-Greece	Falcon used to carry HD Audaxes in the old times...drop them a line

7th June 2004, 06:10 PM	#7
Dave S diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Searchin' for Sweet Singletrack	Hi Mike, Just came across this in HIFI World: www.wembleyloudspeaker.com Try the repair and restoration link. Cheers Dave

19th June 2004, 10:47 PM	#8
maraudingtechie diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Green hills and valleys of OREGON	My Italian isn't so good, but the GOOGLE translator took a shot at this: http://translate.google.com/translat...UTF-8%26sa%3DG The website has a list of Audax bextrene drivers of the correct vintage and part number. Perhaps he has NOS or has methods to repair them; some of the faqs suggest this is what is provided as a service. MT