I have a pair of NOS Vifa P13WH-00-08 mids which have the dreaded surround hardening problem, but otherwise are OK.
Looking to replace the surrounds, but I cant find a source for new ones. There was a European company which used to carry them but no longer do.
The markings on the surround read SR-115-1
Anyone know of a good source for these?
Looking to replace the surrounds, but I cant find a source for new ones. There was a European company which used to carry them but no longer do.
The markings on the surround read SR-115-1
Anyone know of a good source for these?
I had the same issue with p11wg-00-08 some years ago and bought foam surrounds from eBay.
You'll have to measure 4(four) different diameters along the cone, let's call them ABCD and find matching surrounds. All sellers specify these numbers.
As for foam vs rubber I followed Troels Gravesen's advice where he modified some Vifa woofers with great results, you'll find it if you dig into his website.
My experience was similar with the added bonus of an extra dB in sensitivity.
You'll have to measure 4(four) different diameters along the cone, let's call them ABCD and find matching surrounds. All sellers specify these numbers.
As for foam vs rubber I followed Troels Gravesen's advice where he modified some Vifa woofers with great results, you'll find it if you dig into his website.
My experience was similar with the added bonus of an extra dB in sensitivity.
I had heard that wintergreen oil can be used to help old rubber. I bought some years ago but haven’t tried it yet.
I was concerned about a certain subwoofer that I have yet to use, they had a tendency to separate inside at high levels if the surrounds were too tight.
I was concerned about a certain subwoofer that I have yet to use, they had a tendency to separate inside at high levels if the surrounds were too tight.
Good suggestions guys. I thought about running them as is, but Fs was off between the two by about 30 hz and I feel the cone is too dampened. I tried a few cocktails of liquids to soften them, but they wouldn't budge. I may try a touch of acetone or silicone fluid.
The ABCD dimensions are 122mm, 112mm, 96mm, 90mm.
The ABCD dimensions are 122mm, 112mm, 96mm, 90mm.
Usually it is 180 degree different: those long molecular chains are still continuous, but are parasitically crosslinked. Not always those crosslinks are reversible, but often they are. I have restored countless surrounds, idlers, mat etc., they are fine many years after the treatment.
Well, the Acetone was a thought because a light and quick application removes the outer deteriorated layer of rubber without hurting the deeper inner layer (in the case of nitrile and other synthetic rubbers). We used it frequently to resurface pinchrollers in open reel tape machines along with hexane, which is a bit milder but also can work wonders.
In case ot NBR and SBR, I don't see much of a difference between the two. The surround on these Vifas doesn't look like typical rubber. It likely has other plasticizers in it and almost feels like PVC.
I'm going to try naphtha and toluene on a small spot. I just wish I knew what Vifa used as surround material. Without knowing that its hard to know what to use. In all sincerety, I've really never had good luck reviving the elasticity of thinner rubber. Its like trying to repair a broken rubber band... kind of pointless.
Ive already tried the above sources for surrounds you guys listed. Nobody here in the US has any thin roll surrounds like this one here. We used to have MWA speaker parts here, but they're gone now.
In case ot NBR and SBR, I don't see much of a difference between the two. The surround on these Vifas doesn't look like typical rubber. It likely has other plasticizers in it and almost feels like PVC.
I'm going to try naphtha and toluene on a small spot. I just wish I knew what Vifa used as surround material. Without knowing that its hard to know what to use. In all sincerety, I've really never had good luck reviving the elasticity of thinner rubber. Its like trying to repair a broken rubber band... kind of pointless.
Ive already tried the above sources for surrounds you guys listed. Nobody here in the US has any thin roll surrounds like this one here. We used to have MWA speaker parts here, but they're gone now.
I would look at this issue from a different perspective - cost.
You are more likely to spend much more on different chemicals, oils, treatments, than buying replacement surrounds, being that rubber or foam.
And at the end of that exercise there is no way you will be able to say it was a success in the long run.
You are more likely to spend much more on different chemicals, oils, treatments, than buying replacement surrounds, being that rubber or foam.
And at the end of that exercise there is no way you will be able to say it was a success in the long run.
Best kept secret of Kurt Müller… but they still have all kinds of surrounds in their programme. Catalog
@VoxCelestial ongoing vulcanization indeed is a cause, but I have seen quite a few surrounds getting brittle and losing all strength. Not so sure if that is only too much crosslink. But I’m no chemist.
After 20 years, my vifas (in @Lynn Olson ME2) are very stiff.
I sent the diameters and data sheet to speakerrepairshop.nl and a couple of other places, but nobody could help.
The surrounds were always firm; the data sheet says that the surrounds are "high damping type" so I am not convinced that they would sound right with aftermarket replacements.
"so I am not convinced that they would sound right with aftermarket replacements."
they will, believe me, as he surrounds are not the ones determining the sound of a driver, it's mostly the membrane, the geometry, and the cone material that determines that.
just think of the sound of paper, polyprop., kevlar, alloys.
and if you don't believe me then check Troels Gravesen, at least he's a recognized authority on the topic.
it's like saying that if you don't use shell oil, but castrol or bp or you name the brand, suddenly your car will not run properly.
they will, believe me, as he surrounds are not the ones determining the sound of a driver, it's mostly the membrane, the geometry, and the cone material that determines that.
just think of the sound of paper, polyprop., kevlar, alloys.
and if you don't believe me then check Troels Gravesen, at least he's a recognized authority on the topic.
it's like saying that if you don't use shell oil, but castrol or bp or you name the brand, suddenly your car will not run properly.
I fixed my vifa c17wh back in 2015 using audiofriends.nl.
Fred had a new batch of surrounds for c17's and was so nice to provide them for free under condition that I send him photos of the repaired speakers.
The C17's are still in service here.
Later I bought also some surrounds to repair the woofers of ProAc3.5
Fred had a new batch of surrounds for c17's and was so nice to provide them for free under condition that I send him photos of the repaired speakers.
The C17's are still in service here.
Later I bought also some surrounds to repair the woofers of ProAc3.5
Yes, obviously.
The manufacturer of the part should be regarded as an Authority, too IME:
