KEF T33 tweeter replacement for 104/2

centaurus3200 · 24th July 2006, 09:27 AM

i did a search and found some good info, but am curious if anyone has any updates on their findings.

as many KEF owners with ferro-fluid cooled tweeters know, the gel hardens over 20 years and basically renders the tweeters useless. i recently traded my Bozak 302A Urbans for a pair of 104/2. should have hooked the KEFs up while the guy was here, but such is life. he's really nice and offered to give me cash to buy the KEF recommended replacements.

but, I've heard KEF's replacements are both overpriced ($160/pair) and don't even sound that great. as you know, the 104/2 has the tweeter mounted flush behind the mid/tweeter baffle. i do not want to alter the outside of the baffle, but have no problem tweaking it from inside to mount a suitable, if not better replacement. i mean $160 buys you some pretty fricken nice tweeters ;-)

so, what have you guys tried successfully? the tweeter is 1.25", but i can go smaller if necessary. i believe they are 4 ohm. overall sensitivity is rated at 92db at a 4ohm load.

specs: http://www.kef.com/history/1980/model104_2.asp

thanks,
Robby

AndrewJ · 24th July 2006, 07:50 PM

Hi Robby,

If the tweeters are not blown, but just gummed up from the dried out ferrofluid, then I would try cleaning out the old ferrofluid before making any baffle mods.

The tweeter dome is bonded to a ring that is stuck to the magnet with double stick tape. It is possible to gently lift it up using a thin bladed knife.

Once off, gently clean off the old ferrofluid from the coil using a soft cloth, then also remove the gunk from the magnet gap. This will be more difficult as it is of course attracted to the gap, but using Q-tips, masking tape wiped into the gap, and lots of patience, you may well be able to get the tweeter working again.
Of course it will no longer have the power handling it once had due to lack of ferrofluid, so be careful.
It may be possible to find a source of new ferrofluid that you could put in.

At least it's worth a try before spending lots of money on alternative drivers that won't match the original!

Good luck

Andrew

centaurus3200 · 24th July 2006, 08:31 PM

Thanks Andrew!

have you tried this with KEF tweeters in the past?

you are right, it is worth a shot, but i might also just buy replacement tweeters as well. i've read that others have tried to clean out the gunk. it does help a lot, but the T33s still didn't have the output they used to. why does the hardened fliud kill the output?

thanks,
Robby

KBK · 25th July 2006, 12:45 AM

ferrofluid is easily available on ebay. suprisingly, lots of purveyors. I think they are literally taking it from the loudspeaker arena, and using it as a neo magnet toy. Of course, you have no real idea od the wieght and type you are getting from them. You can't see the bottle close enough in the advert, either.

infinia · 25th July 2006, 01:05 AM

Madisound.com should be able to hook you up with proper tweeter ferrofluid if you call them up.

Interesting video of PHD's playing with ferrofluid

http://scitation.aip.org/phf/gallery/2003-lorenz.jsp

centaurus3200 · 25th July 2006, 05:55 AM

crazy idea - a/d/s speakers are 4 ohm. what about their clasic tweeters from the 70/80's?

Robby

AMV8 · 25th July 2006, 11:30 AM

Robby

I have bought T33, T33a and also ferro fluid on e bay. I paid £30 per T33.

The T33 seems to be an excellant treble unit and I would repair if possible otherwise replace with another T33.

I have had correspondence with Kef in the past and they do confirm that the T27, T33 and T52 treble units are all interchangeable if the sensativity is adjusted.

When I was building some Kefkit speakers many years ago I contacted Kef to see if I could use the T52 instead of the T33 as I assumed that the T52 was a better unit. The reply back indicated that the units were all interchangeable as mentioned above. The main difference was in the power handling capabilities and in the temperature that could be sustained in long term use.

If you need more detailed info on the speaker that is available if you search on google.

Hope this helps
Don

Salas · 26th July 2006, 11:39 AM

T33 was built to go lower and to take stick. It is not a great tweeter. Has lots of breakup and top octave is lacking.

centaurus3200 · 26th July 2006, 05:44 PM

Well, after some research, i tend to agree that both the T33 was never that great and that the KEF replacement is both overpriced and underwhelming. so, i bought a pair of Morel MDT30 tweeters. hopefully they will mate well. wimslow audio uses the MDT29, but the folks at madisound said the 30 will fit the same and sound even better.

yeah, i read lilke 7 reviews on the 107 and 107/2 on stereophile online and all said that the tweeter detracted from an otherwise incredible loudspeaker.

beisdes, madisound has a great return policy, so worth a shot.

Robby

Quote:

Originally posted by salas
T33 was built to go lower and to take stick. It is not a great tweeter. Has lots of breakup and top octave is lacking.

Salas · 26th July 2006, 06:10 PM

If you manage to mate it well, you will hear a way better HF with the Morel. If you dont have initial success ask for prof help from Madisound with crossover changes.

24th July 2006, 09:27 AM	#1
centaurus3200 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: oakland	KEF T33 tweeter replacement for 104/2 i did a search and found some good info, but am curious if anyone has any updates on their findings. as many KEF owners with ferro-fluid cooled tweeters know, the gel hardens over 20 years and basically renders the tweeters useless. i recently traded my Bozak 302A Urbans for a pair of 104/2. should have hooked the KEFs up while the guy was here, but such is life. he's really nice and offered to give me cash to buy the KEF recommended replacements. but, I've heard KEF's replacements are both overpriced ($160/pair) and don't even sound that great. as you know, the 104/2 has the tweeter mounted flush behind the mid/tweeter baffle. i do not want to alter the outside of the baffle, but have no problem tweaking it from inside to mount a suitable, if not better replacement. i mean $160 buys you some pretty fricken nice tweeters ;-) so, what have you guys tried successfully? the tweeter is 1.25", but i can go smaller if necessary. i believe they are 4 ohm. overall sensitivity is rated at 92db at a 4ohm load. specs: http://www.kef.com/history/1980/model104_2.asp thanks, Robby

25th July 2006, 01:05 AM	#5
infinia diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication	Madisound.com should be able to hook you up with proper tweeter ferrofluid if you call them up. Interesting video of PHD's playing with ferrofluid http://scitation.aip.org/phf/gallery/2003-lorenz.jsp __________________ like four million tons of hydrogen exploding on the sun like the whisper of the termites building castles in the dust

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24th July 2006, 07:50 PM	#2
AndrewJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001	Hi Robby, If the tweeters are not blown, but just gummed up from the dried out ferrofluid, then I would try cleaning out the old ferrofluid before making any baffle mods. The tweeter dome is bonded to a ring that is stuck to the magnet with double stick tape. It is possible to gently lift it up using a thin bladed knife. Once off, gently clean off the old ferrofluid from the coil using a soft cloth, then also remove the gunk from the magnet gap. This will be more difficult as it is of course attracted to the gap, but using Q-tips, masking tape wiped into the gap, and lots of patience, you may well be able to get the tweeter working again. Of course it will no longer have the power handling it once had due to lack of ferrofluid, so be careful. It may be possible to find a source of new ferrofluid that you could put in. At least it's worth a try before spending lots of money on alternative drivers that won't match the original! Good luck Andrew

24th July 2006, 08:31 PM	#3
centaurus3200 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: oakland	Thanks Andrew! have you tried this with KEF tweeters in the past? you are right, it is worth a shot, but i might also just buy replacement tweeters as well. i've read that others have tried to clean out the gunk. it does help a lot, but the T33s still didn't have the output they used to. why does the hardened fliud kill the output? thanks, Robby

25th July 2006, 12:45 AM	#4
KBK diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Wilds Of Canada	ferrofluid is easily available on ebay. suprisingly, lots of purveyors. I think they are literally taking it from the loudspeaker arena, and using it as a neo magnet toy. Of course, you have no real idea od the wieght and type you are getting from them. You can't see the bottle close enough in the advert, either.

25th July 2006, 05:55 AM	#6
centaurus3200 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: oakland	crazy idea - a/d/s speakers are 4 ohm. what about their clasic tweeters from the 70/80's? Robby

25th July 2006, 11:30 AM	#7
AMV8 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: near london	Robby I have bought T33, T33a and also ferro fluid on e bay. I paid £30 per T33. The T33 seems to be an excellant treble unit and I would repair if possible otherwise replace with another T33. I have had correspondence with Kef in the past and they do confirm that the T27, T33 and T52 treble units are all interchangeable if the sensativity is adjusted. When I was building some Kefkit speakers many years ago I contacted Kef to see if I could use the T52 instead of the T33 as I assumed that the T52 was a better unit. The reply back indicated that the units were all interchangeable as mentioned above. The main difference was in the power handling capabilities and in the temperature that could be sustained in long term use. If you need more detailed info on the speaker that is available if you search on google. Hope this helps Don

26th July 2006, 11:39 AM	#8
Salas diyAudio Chief Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Athens-Greece	T33 was built to go lower and to take stick. It is not a great tweeter. Has lots of breakup and top octave is lacking.

26th July 2006, 06:10 PM	#10
Salas diyAudio Chief Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Athens-Greece	If you manage to mate it well, you will hear a way better HF with the Morel. If you dont have initial success ask for prof help from Madisound with crossover changes.