I am lucky enough to be the owner of a pair of early Podium Sound 1 speakers. I've had them for over 10 years of light use. Unfortunately, one speaker has developed a fault, which manifests itself as a buzzing/rattling at about 40 Hz, or when the panel is played at high volume. Just one panel is affected.
Using an endoscope to view from the rear, the problem appears to be quite obvious. The bottom driver has a cup and socket arrangement, whereby the male part is bonded to the panel and the female is a receiver which looks like its attached to the voice coil.
Traces of the original failed adhesive joint can clearly be seen. There is sufficient (careful) deflection in the panel to expose the whole of the failed glued joint. It looks like it should be possible to re-glue using a syringe.
So the questions are:-
1) Has anybody else tried to execute a similar repair from which I might learn or avoid pitfalls?
2) What sort of glue to use? I will probably only get one shot at this.
3) Does anybody know which drivers are used, in case I need to get hold of some replacements?
I should add that I contacted the current owners of the Podium operation and received a reply from David Katz offering me a discount on some new speakers, but no advice on how to fix my old ones or help to find out where I might procure a replacement driver.
All wisdom appreciated!
Using an endoscope to view from the rear, the problem appears to be quite obvious. The bottom driver has a cup and socket arrangement, whereby the male part is bonded to the panel and the female is a receiver which looks like its attached to the voice coil.
Traces of the original failed adhesive joint can clearly be seen. There is sufficient (careful) deflection in the panel to expose the whole of the failed glued joint. It looks like it should be possible to re-glue using a syringe.
So the questions are:-
1) Has anybody else tried to execute a similar repair from which I might learn or avoid pitfalls?
2) What sort of glue to use? I will probably only get one shot at this.
3) Does anybody know which drivers are used, in case I need to get hold of some replacements?
I should add that I contacted the current owners of the Podium operation and received a reply from David Katz offering me a discount on some new speakers, but no advice on how to fix my old ones or help to find out where I might procure a replacement driver.
All wisdom appreciated!
It sounds like they originally used 2-sided tape to hold the voice coil to the panel. If that's the case on yours, that may interfere with attempts to minimally glue in the same spot. You'll likely need a glue with some body that allows you to make a bead around the voice coil. This may make future repairs more difficult though, if the whole panel needs to come out.
I have no experience with these speakers though, so I'm guessing and going by what I found in the following article. It also describes how they went about doing a similar repair, which involved complete removal of the panel from all voice coils.
6moons audio reviews: Podium Sound Model 1
"First the old glue from the remaining voice coils and some residue on the panel had to be removed and the areas thoroughly cleaned. Then the custom-manufactured glue stickers were applied to all five voice coils. After peeling off the protecting paper on both sides, just a ring of glue remained that fit precisely on the edge of the voice coil."
Simply Speakers sells this epoxy to attach voice coils
https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Repair-Adhesive-Recone-MI-1500/dp/B00L8AA0CE
I have no experience with these speakers though, so I'm guessing and going by what I found in the following article. It also describes how they went about doing a similar repair, which involved complete removal of the panel from all voice coils.
6moons audio reviews: Podium Sound Model 1
"First the old glue from the remaining voice coils and some residue on the panel had to be removed and the areas thoroughly cleaned. Then the custom-manufactured glue stickers were applied to all five voice coils. After peeling off the protecting paper on both sides, just a ring of glue remained that fit precisely on the edge of the voice coil."
Simply Speakers sells this epoxy to attach voice coils
https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Repair-Adhesive-Recone-MI-1500/dp/B00L8AA0CE
Problem solved, posting here in case anybody needs to search for this in the future.
I very carefully prised apart the little that remained of the original glued joint, revealing a circular disc well stuck to the panel and a clean, circular receiver for it, comprising the end of the voice coil.
Holding the job apart with some pieces of foam, I applied rapid set epoxy sparingly to the male part with a wooden skewer. On releasing the foam, the two parts mated up perfectly and by the next morning had set.
Result = problem 100% solved.
I very carefully prised apart the little that remained of the original glued joint, revealing a circular disc well stuck to the panel and a clean, circular receiver for it, comprising the end of the voice coil.
Holding the job apart with some pieces of foam, I applied rapid set epoxy sparingly to the male part with a wooden skewer. On releasing the foam, the two parts mated up perfectly and by the next morning had set.
Result = problem 100% solved.
I know this thread has been out of circulation for a while, but this is an extremely rare speaker. and info like this is very useful.
I also own a very early pair of Model Ones. There really is nothing quite like them.
Mine are so early they don't have the fabric back and the honeycomb panel is clearly visible from the rear.
I have the same problem as @GipsyRacer - there is some mild distortion at higher volumes, onlt one one speaker, which is due to the adhesive losing binding strength to hold the panel to the coil. A gentle press of the panel onto the coils stops this but it will always come back.
I will really need to try this repair procedure. It doesn't seem to be any driver coil in particular. I am not sure whether to try seperating each one and repairing with epoxy or only to try one or two.
Not looking forward to the job, but needs must! Brilliant if unconventional sounding speakers.
I also own a very early pair of Model Ones. There really is nothing quite like them.
Mine are so early they don't have the fabric back and the honeycomb panel is clearly visible from the rear.
I have the same problem as @GipsyRacer - there is some mild distortion at higher volumes, onlt one one speaker, which is due to the adhesive losing binding strength to hold the panel to the coil. A gentle press of the panel onto the coils stops this but it will always come back.
I will really need to try this repair procedure. It doesn't seem to be any driver coil in particular. I am not sure whether to try seperating each one and repairing with epoxy or only to try one or two.
Not looking forward to the job, but needs must! Brilliant if unconventional sounding speakers.
IMHO. I would not go the epoxy route as if further service is required you would end up damaging the diaphragm when trying to seperate. The only way would be to follow the six moons review where Mr Katz removes the diaphragm entirely and re doing each exciter with the 3m double sided sticky tape. When future maintenance arrives then you can repeat this process accordingly with no or limited damage , IMHO.