Not sure if I am in the right place for this! I have a pair of Acoustic Energy AE1 speakers fitted 25 TAFC/W-AE H 617 tweeters which are open circuit. I have carefully dismantled them but cannot see an obvious break in the wire.
Can you obtain replacement diaphragm/ coil assemblies ? Alternatively can they be repaired - if so can anyone in the uk help. If anyone has a pair of SH tweeters please let me know asking price!!
Can you obtain replacement diaphragm/ coil assemblies ? Alternatively can they be repaired - if so can anyone in the uk help. If anyone has a pair of SH tweeters please let me know asking price!!
I think that the tweeter is custom made for AE. Even if it is a Seas driver I bet you can't get one from Seas, so you have to ask AE for a replacement. In case AE has run out of inventory, something non unusual as this is a quite old driver, your only option is to find one on the used market. Good luck on that.
But it seems really strange that you can't see anything wrong, look better maybe 🙂, but apart of a broken wire, your only other option can be a bad solder joint, so I suggest you check carefully continuity between the two end of the wire and not between the terminals. Hope it helps.
Ralf
But it seems really strange that you can't see anything wrong, look better maybe 🙂, but apart of a broken wire, your only other option can be a bad solder joint, so I suggest you check carefully continuity between the two end of the wire and not between the terminals. Hope it helps.
Ralf
Hi
Thank you for your reply
AE have a replacement but not the original and it would need modification of the crossover may have to go down this route if all else fails.
It appears a SEAS agent here have a non- ferrofluid pair that will fit.
They also suggested sending in the speakers in case a crossover issue has caused them to fail??
The coil windings are extremely fine but some do look out of place - as though they have moved. I will have to use some magnification for a better look. I was hoping to find someone who can recondition them, but it looks unlikely.
Thanks again for your help, it is much appreciated
Thank you for your reply
AE have a replacement but not the original and it would need modification of the crossover may have to go down this route if all else fails.
It appears a SEAS agent here have a non- ferrofluid pair that will fit.
They also suggested sending in the speakers in case a crossover issue has caused them to fail??
The coil windings are extremely fine but some do look out of place - as though they have moved. I will have to use some magnification for a better look. I was hoping to find someone who can recondition them, but it looks unlikely.
Thanks again for your help, it is much appreciated
If it requires a crossover mod then it is not strictly a replacement, but only a workable solution. You need to do this for both speakers, if you opt for this solution. IMHO it will probably be an expensive route, and without a warranty that the speakers will sound exactly as before.
Probably every 1" Seas tweeter will physically fit, but you need to find one with the same sensitivity and the same impedance profile, not impossible but without knowing the data of the original driver you are shooting in the dark.
I think it could be done, but it should be very difficult without a proper tool and you need to have almost exactly the same wire as the original one (for proper resistance and weight).
BTW, where did you measure open circuit for the tweeter? (tweeter or speaker terminals?)
Ralf
Hi
Thank you for your interest!
I measured continuity at the tweeter terminals after removing them. It is difficult to measure across the soldered wire joints as they appear to be covered in a clear adhesive. I fear pressing too hard with the pointed meter probe may break the wire. I would think the only way to sort this would be to remove the adhesive and unwrap one end until I find the break - then solder ends together ! I would have no idea where to obtain the correct original wire or the adhesive to recover the coils
Thank you for your interest!
I measured continuity at the tweeter terminals after removing them. It is difficult to measure across the soldered wire joints as they appear to be covered in a clear adhesive. I fear pressing too hard with the pointed meter probe may break the wire. I would think the only way to sort this would be to remove the adhesive and unwrap one end until I find the break - then solder ends together ! I would have no idea where to obtain the correct original wire or the adhesive to recover the coils
I think people overthink these things. Certainly it is difficult to repair prestige tweeter.
But this shouldn't be wildly different:
H1147-06 27TBC/G
Probably won't need any (simple) adjustment in the crossover at all. 🙂
But this shouldn't be wildly different:
H1147-06 27TBC/G
Probably won't need any (simple) adjustment in the crossover at all. 🙂
Hi
Thank you for the response. I agree it may well be suitable but its hard to determine this without a spec/datasheet for the existing 25 TAFC/W-AE H 617. Do you have any information on it? Have you experience of these tweeters?
Thank you for the response. I agree it may well be suitable but its hard to determine this without a spec/datasheet for the existing 25 TAFC/W-AE H 617. Do you have any information on it? Have you experience of these tweeters?
I'd suspect the only change from the old standard range is the diffusor on the front:
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0537_25tafcd.pdf
And ferrofluid isn't a biggie with modern tweeters and adhesives. This will be a 90dB tweeter IMO. And not hard to adjust if it isn't. Couple of resistors at most.
I don't see much alternative. Madisound or Parts Express stock replacement voicecoils, but I seem to recall they are mostly for Excel tweeters where it might save you some money.
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0537_25tafcd.pdf
And ferrofluid isn't a biggie with modern tweeters and adhesives. This will be a 90dB tweeter IMO. And not hard to adjust if it isn't. Couple of resistors at most.
I don't see much alternative. Madisound or Parts Express stock replacement voicecoils, but I seem to recall they are mostly for Excel tweeters where it might save you some money.
This might fit:
SEAS H9910 Aluminum Dome Voice Coil with diffuser
You might want some new ferrofluid too. But not much of a saving, IMO, considering the hassle.
SEAS Prestige 27TBFC/G (H1212) Aluminum/Magnesium Dome Tweeter
SEAS H9910 Aluminum Dome Voice Coil with diffuser
You might want some new ferrofluid too. But not much of a saving, IMO, considering the hassle.
SEAS Prestige 27TBFC/G (H1212) Aluminum/Magnesium Dome Tweeter
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Some discussion of these sort of tweeters by Mr. Joachim Gerhard here:
Sonics by Joachim Gerhard cabinets and kits.
Joachim is very good. He makes a living building speakers. 😎
Sonics by Joachim Gerhard cabinets and kits.
Joachim is very good. He makes a living building speakers. 😎
Hi Steve
Thanks, you have been most helpful! Having been quoted £150 each by AE for replacements I decided to ask around before I made any decisions. The engineer in me says have a go at sorting them myself but my eyesight is not what it was!
Thanks, you have been most helpful! Having been quoted £150 each by AE for replacements I decided to ask around before I made any decisions. The engineer in me says have a go at sorting them myself but my eyesight is not what it was!
I can't see any problems with new tweeters here. Replacing voice-coils is fiddly and has the potential for damage. And you don't want to degrade some good speakers so research is always good.
I was rereading Joachim Gerhard here:
Sonics by Joachim Gerhard cabinets and kits.
Whole thread is interesting, I think Joachim shuns ferrofluid these days.
I was rereading Joachim Gerhard here:
Sonics by Joachim Gerhard cabinets and kits.
Whole thread is interesting, I think Joachim shuns ferrofluid these days.
Hi, he sounds quite remarkable! and I noted his comments re ferrofluid. I have spoken with guy from Falcon who also suggested a non ferrofluid version. I am waiting for more information regarding dimensions etc I will let you know the outcome!
Regards
Regards
SEAS have been making much the same 90dB tweeters for years. The 27 series are almost exactly interchangeable except for the DXT and maybe the 27TFF.
H1147-06 27TBC/G
104mm face plate. 92mm mounting holes. 26mm voicecoil. Small solder tags. I did notice your original may have a higher Fs resonance around 1200Hz, but I doubt that will affect things much.
All good.
H1147-06 27TBC/G
104mm face plate. 92mm mounting holes. 26mm voicecoil. Small solder tags. I did notice your original may have a higher Fs resonance around 1200Hz, but I doubt that will affect things much.
All good.
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They should all fit in the same hole, but I'm not sure that the terminals of the 25 series are the same as the 27 series, so they couldn't be really interchangeable. However they are not all the same sensitivity, going from 89 to 92 dB. The 25TAFC/D is 90dB (maybe the closest driver to the custom AE tweeter), but the 27TBC/G is 92dB. Frankly, 2dB difference over a broad range is very audible. The impedance should be close, but I can't check it exactly as the old datasheets are something hard to read. If the OP is lucky he could find a drop-in replacement or something very close. But without measurement it is hard to choose the correct replacement, or perform the needed mods. The voice coil replacement could be a good idea, a skilled person should even be able to move the dome and voice coil to the AE faceplate (to retain the grille and lens if there is one).
What tweeter will AE offer as a replacement?
Ralf
Edit: just checked. Terminals in the 25 and 27 series are different
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Ralf, I think you worry too much. Looking at the spec sheets, I see nothing in it:
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0537_25tafcd.pdf
H1147-06 27TBC/G
Crimp tags only come in 3 sizes. 2mm should fit any of these things. Looking at the 25TAFC/D, it is actually more of a 92dB tweeter anyway. There is a 60dB calibration on the measurement.
If any adjustment is required for level, that could be accomplished with a 2.2R resistor to the biwire terminals externally. But I doubt it will be necessary. It is clear from the second plot at HF that SEAS have improved their diffusors in recent years. I really would like to cure people of the habit of looking for old worn-out tweeters at exorbitent prices on eBay.
Just get a new equivalent model. Then it's an upgrade as much as a repair. 😎
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0537_25tafcd.pdf
H1147-06 27TBC/G
Crimp tags only come in 3 sizes. 2mm should fit any of these things. Looking at the 25TAFC/D, it is actually more of a 92dB tweeter anyway. There is a 60dB calibration on the measurement.
If any adjustment is required for level, that could be accomplished with a 2.2R resistor to the biwire terminals externally. But I doubt it will be necessary. It is clear from the second plot at HF that SEAS have improved their diffusors in recent years. I really would like to cure people of the habit of looking for old worn-out tweeters at exorbitent prices on eBay.
Just get a new equivalent model. Then it's an upgrade as much as a repair. 😎
I wasn’t clear enough. The 27 series has two terminals 180 degree apart, while on the 25 series they are close together. So the 27 series may need an enlargement in the hole, but without seeing the AE1 without the tweeter fitted I can’t be sure.
Ralf
Ralf
Hi Ralf
Thanks for the information - your advice is much appreciated. I have asked AE what model tweeters they would supply and am awaiting a response.
The AE1's are cut to fit 180 degree terminals - I must admit I do not really want to start taking pieces out of the aperture unless necessary - providing I could get a 27 series to perform in a similar way to the original I would be happy! As far as I am aware there is no one in the UK who could repair/rewind my existing ones. Some advice would be in order for me to modify the crossovers if necessary
Regards
David
Thanks for the information - your advice is much appreciated. I have asked AE what model tweeters they would supply and am awaiting a response.
The AE1's are cut to fit 180 degree terminals - I must admit I do not really want to start taking pieces out of the aperture unless necessary - providing I could get a 27 series to perform in a similar way to the original I would be happy! As far as I am aware there is no one in the UK who could repair/rewind my existing ones. Some advice would be in order for me to modify the crossovers if necessary
Regards
David
Good Grief! 😀
All this agonising over a simple tweeter replacement. 🙄
As it goes we seem to have got lucky with 180 degree terminal cutouts...
Having done due diligence on all the things that might go wrong, I see no problems with the AE1 Series II repair. Reference Series - Acoustic Energy Loudspeakers
SEAS 27TBC/G
Anything you DO run into, and engineering always can throw up the unpredictable, can be dealt with later. We are, after all, PROFESSIONALS! 😎
All this agonising over a simple tweeter replacement. 🙄
As it goes we seem to have got lucky with 180 degree terminal cutouts...
Having done due diligence on all the things that might go wrong, I see no problems with the AE1 Series II repair. Reference Series - Acoustic Energy Loudspeakers
SEAS 27TBC/G
Anything you DO run into, and engineering always can throw up the unpredictable, can be dealt with later. We are, after all, PROFESSIONALS! 😎