I'm totally new to all this, been lurking, and working mainly on my DIY projector. But I'm crossing over. So please forgive any incorrect names, references, etc.
I recently acquired a pair of "The Fisher" XP-9C speakers. But the wood was rotting and the drivers themselves are in bad to below decent quality. But the sound is still great. So I'm wondering what the best way to go about fixing them is? Or is it even worth it?
Here are some pics:
And the surround rot around the woofers(actually the surround is now non-existant):
I was thinking of possibly buying this kit.
Not sure how to actually measure the driver, so from the very edge to edge it is 15", it that right? Or how do you measure them?
I was thinking of after repairing the speakers to possibly build new boxes with the same dimensions and stuff it with the same amount of fiber glass (or this: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-317 )
What is the best material, cost and quality wise, for doing this? And should I just copy the way Fisher had originally done it, with an open box, or should I maybe change the dimensions and give the woofers their own section?
Any thoughts? Is this feasible?
Also is Parts Express a good source, or are there better cheaper sources, or maybe some brick and mortars? Thanks.
I recently acquired a pair of "The Fisher" XP-9C speakers. But the wood was rotting and the drivers themselves are in bad to below decent quality. But the sound is still great. So I'm wondering what the best way to go about fixing them is? Or is it even worth it?
Here are some pics:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
And the surround rot around the woofers(actually the surround is now non-existant):
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I was thinking of possibly buying this kit.
Not sure how to actually measure the driver, so from the very edge to edge it is 15", it that right? Or how do you measure them?
I was thinking of after repairing the speakers to possibly build new boxes with the same dimensions and stuff it with the same amount of fiber glass (or this: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-317 )
What is the best material, cost and quality wise, for doing this? And should I just copy the way Fisher had originally done it, with an open box, or should I maybe change the dimensions and give the woofers their own section?
Any thoughts? Is this feasible?
Also is Parts Express a good source, or are there better cheaper sources, or maybe some brick and mortars? Thanks.
Beam me up Scotty!
The surrounds on the woofers is partially or totally gone and you say they sound great?
The surrounds on the woofers is partially or totally gone and you say they sound great?
No the woofers sound like s*&% but the tweeters and mid's offer a nice range. A little pressure on the outside of the woofer's offers a taste, but certainly nothing that impressive from the woofers at this point.
Any thoughts though?
One more question too. 🙂 Is this stuff any good, and how much if any will it change the sound of the speakers? (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=340-512) I'd sorta like to clean up the look of these if I'm going to be repairing them.
Any thoughts though?
One more question too. 🙂 Is this stuff any good, and how much if any will it change the sound of the speakers? (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=340-512) I'd sorta like to clean up the look of these if I'm going to be repairing them.
While it is romantic to rebuild/resuscitate old speakers, frankly you might be better served buying one of the fine kits that Part Express has available. They are well designed & use drivers that would outperform the older ones you have by a large margin.
They are a fine company & I have been using them as a source for over a decade. You will find few retail stores that offer these products anymore. They have gone the way of the HAM/electronics store.
They are a fine company & I have been using them as a source for over a decade. You will find few retail stores that offer these products anymore. They have gone the way of the HAM/electronics store.
Thanks for the input. Guess I'll go with a kit. Any to suggest?
But in the meantime I'll at least fix these woofers up to working condition and play with 'em a bit, and it's worth it at $22 for the kit. So how exactly do you measure speakers? Because I want to replace the surrounds, but a site I was reading listed these at 13" woofers, but from edge to edge they are 15".. What is the proper way to measure them? Thanks!
But in the meantime I'll at least fix these woofers up to working condition and play with 'em a bit, and it's worth it at $22 for the kit. So how exactly do you measure speakers? Because I want to replace the surrounds, but a site I was reading listed these at 13" woofers, but from edge to edge they are 15".. What is the proper way to measure them? Thanks!
Dear TJH:
You may be better served spending the couple of hours of frustration it would take for you to repair those woofers by browsing some of the proven projects and kits discussed in these forums. It simply isn't worth the aggravation, except as an exercise, to revive those old Fisher speakers....
sorry
PS: Another way to look at it: dicking around with that rubbish may just discourage you from actually making something nice, and we wouldn't want that...
You may be better served spending the couple of hours of frustration it would take for you to repair those woofers by browsing some of the proven projects and kits discussed in these forums. It simply isn't worth the aggravation, except as an exercise, to revive those old Fisher speakers....
sorry
PS: Another way to look at it: dicking around with that rubbish may just discourage you from actually making something nice, and we wouldn't want that...
Well, as a student at the moment I don't really have the money to spare for all new parts, or anything adequate, so I'm taking this as more of an exercise in learning about speakers and the theory behind them well I save up a bit and hopefully build something decent once I've gained more of a grasp on the subject. No doubt these will not be amazing speakers, I merely hope these will hold me over until I can save up a bit more and start from scratch.
I have found a trip to the local thrift stores can yield surprisingly decent loudspeaker finds. I can definitely relate to not having the money, but the $22 plus shipping plus glue for new foam could go toward functioning thrift store (or flea market) speakers. A few weeks ago I saw a pair of the small Optimus metal cabinet speakers for $20...
In light of your financial situation, wait for partsexpress to have a deal on drivers. They stage decent drivers for under a buck every month or two. Buy a dozen & make a line! Go to a commercial construction site & ask the General Contractor if they are throwing out any wood (they always are). They toss out perfectly good plywood & dimensional lumber, too. They pay to have it removed! So there are your free materials. Get some wood glue from the dollar store & off you go…
The speaker projects (and kits) @ partsexpress (get on their email list) are very good; some of them were designed by Vance Dickason himself!
Other more costly kits:
The Thors are supposed to be very nice; Swan has a couple nice kits, too.
http://www.audioxpress.com/
http://www.madisound.com/
www.meniscusaudio.com
There are many out there.
And the new Chinese drivers are getting very good, too, and well priced.
The speaker projects (and kits) @ partsexpress (get on their email list) are very good; some of them were designed by Vance Dickason himself!
Other more costly kits:
The Thors are supposed to be very nice; Swan has a couple nice kits, too.
http://www.audioxpress.com/
http://www.madisound.com/
www.meniscusaudio.com
There are many out there.
And the new Chinese drivers are getting very good, too, and well priced.
Thrift store finds...
I bought a pair of slightly rough looking but excellent functioning Dynaco A25s for $19.99 Cdn (currently about USD$16.27, at the time closer to USD$15) at a local pawn shop. I keep the price stickers on them to help remind me of my relatively good fortune. A little sandpaper, wood filler, stain and varethane would upgrade the looks, but at a cost greater than the speakers. I recently was gifted some wide range loudspeakers from a Thomas organ (12 watt "J" Oxford 12" wide ranges) and some cheap Sony 5 watt 2" cone drivers. I salvaged a cross over from an old pair of loudspeakers I had kickin around. A couple of wire coat hangers, a little bit of wire, a few dry wall screws, and Cdn $60 (about USD$50) for plywood. I'm now the happy owner of a full range "coax" open baffle speaker that absolutely sounds great, but looks FUGLY!. My McCormack DNA 0.5 deLuxe amp is overkill on em. Respectable sound need not cost a fortune. Good luck
stew
I bought a pair of slightly rough looking but excellent functioning Dynaco A25s for $19.99 Cdn (currently about USD$16.27, at the time closer to USD$15) at a local pawn shop. I keep the price stickers on them to help remind me of my relatively good fortune. A little sandpaper, wood filler, stain and varethane would upgrade the looks, but at a cost greater than the speakers. I recently was gifted some wide range loudspeakers from a Thomas organ (12 watt "J" Oxford 12" wide ranges) and some cheap Sony 5 watt 2" cone drivers. I salvaged a cross over from an old pair of loudspeakers I had kickin around. A couple of wire coat hangers, a little bit of wire, a few dry wall screws, and Cdn $60 (about USD$50) for plywood. I'm now the happy owner of a full range "coax" open baffle speaker that absolutely sounds great, but looks FUGLY!. My McCormack DNA 0.5 deLuxe amp is overkill on em. Respectable sound need not cost a fortune. Good luck
stew
This is a great forum... and (I'll add my 2cents worth)... it's not difficult to re-foam your current fisher speakers, but it might be worthwhile to continue looking for a pair of woofers in a GOOD box ...like the old Advents... or AR3's , then you've a basis to begin modifying... I believe what's being said here is , You can do it!... but is it worth the time/money with current kits /woofers available that (almost) negate the necessity to D.I.Y.
tjh said:
Before the days of extended flanges you measured from center to center on the mounting holes. Now that's not always the case.
Cal
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