Hello,
Does anyone aware where to source (in Europe would be easier) good foam surrounds for 6.5" drivers, please?
I ask here cause I would like to find a shop that sell good quality enough, i.e. for drivers like ScanSpeak equivalent ?
I assume there are great difference between brands about the production process, so quality ? Or it is a lost wish for enthusiasts who must settle for standard no name refoam kit brand just based on size ?
Many thanks for tips about that.
Does anyone aware where to source (in Europe would be easier) good foam surrounds for 6.5" drivers, please?
I ask here cause I would like to find a shop that sell good quality enough, i.e. for drivers like ScanSpeak equivalent ?
I assume there are great difference between brands about the production process, so quality ? Or it is a lost wish for enthusiasts who must settle for standard no name refoam kit brand just based on size ?
Many thanks for tips about that.
SS sell replacement foam surrounds and dust caps for 18W series.
Will that suit?
Or do you want a variety of sizes?
Will that suit?
Or do you want a variety of sizes?
Hi tktran303,
both 🙂 if you have it (I have to measure exactly the no name driver with drilled rubber I'd like to swap with foam for testing purpose.) . I know already the common american shops places but prefer to avoid plane shipping if I can found local quality here. There are still some drivers fabrication in France (some few Focal high-end drivers, AAC, Davis Acoustic, Kartesian but I do not think they sell such parts to people and prhaps source foam surrounds elswhere : Germany or South-East, while here there is high tech foams makers but surely not for the hifi market.
Btw I know a good shop in Oz where I purchased so FF : Queensland repair speakers, warmly advised in your area.
both 🙂 if you have it (I have to measure exactly the no name driver with drilled rubber I'd like to swap with foam for testing purpose.) . I know already the common american shops places but prefer to avoid plane shipping if I can found local quality here. There are still some drivers fabrication in France (some few Focal high-end drivers, AAC, Davis Acoustic, Kartesian but I do not think they sell such parts to people and prhaps source foam surrounds elswhere : Germany or South-East, while here there is high tech foams makers but surely not for the hifi market.
Btw I know a good shop in Oz where I purchased so FF : Queensland repair speakers, warmly advised in your area.
A few I know of that deliver good quality and have a pretty large range:
https://speakerrepairshop.nl/en/
and
https://www.repairyourspeakers.com/en/surrounds-by-size/6-5-8-inch/g-10000070
https://speakerrepairshop.nl/en/
and
https://www.repairyourspeakers.com/en/surrounds-by-size/6-5-8-inch/g-10000070
There are large differences in foam composition with modern foam surrounds. The newer gen surrounds made by SS are very different from driver to driver, incorporating specific thickness and density variations in the cross section which define the driver top end rolloff and cone breakup control. The 18M8631T uses this type of foamed rubber and I'd suggest trying it first if you want a lower loss surround providing better midrange extension.
Totally agree: don't underestimate the effect the surrounds have and source from manufacturers if possible, but getting originals doesn't always mean they're from a different manufacturer. Worst part about surrounds and spiders is there is many times no good way of knowing what you have (unreadable markings), nor exactly what you get (flexibility, size etc).
Good luck puzzling;-)
Good luck puzzling;-)
There are plenty of sheet suppliers punching out car gaskets in a variety of materials, find one that suits your needs.
The materials will be foamed LDPE, polyurethane, and rubber of different kinds.
EVA sometimes, the stuff under your foot in sneakers, among other uses.
Getting hold of the right kind of sheet may be difficult, just use a mat or door lining from a car.
And see if any stores dealing in carpets and mattresses are in your area, you could try there.
This stuff is sold in big rolls, about 3 to 20 feet wide, and is used in mass production, nobody will bother to quote for a small piece, they are sold in truck loads for the most part.
And read up on adhesives, some plastics are difficult to stick.
You can also build up layers, for different densities and any advantages that offers.
The materials will be foamed LDPE, polyurethane, and rubber of different kinds.
EVA sometimes, the stuff under your foot in sneakers, among other uses.
Getting hold of the right kind of sheet may be difficult, just use a mat or door lining from a car.
And see if any stores dealing in carpets and mattresses are in your area, you could try there.
This stuff is sold in big rolls, about 3 to 20 feet wide, and is used in mass production, nobody will bother to quote for a small piece, they are sold in truck loads for the most part.
And read up on adhesives, some plastics are difficult to stick.
You can also build up layers, for different densities and any advantages that offers.
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As a side note, I like to use low viscosity silicone RTV to coat my surrounds at the cone edge joint. This reduces the reflected waves and dip you usually see in FR, plus it won't add any significant weight. On a 6 inch driver it only adds about 150 - 300 mg, so it practically won't hurt efficiency. RTV is more stable long term than other coatings. It also works well to coat and seal cones ie. kevlar and fiberglass, as it can be applied thin to not add too much weight.
Thanks guys,
I found AB Sound at tlhp but certainly basic quality... (aging ?) ... I can't decide.
I thought indeed to K Muller but do not think he sells for standalone enthusiast...
Btw, what sort of glue would you use to glue such foam surrounds to the meal basket as well as a paper cone, please ? same that do not dry tottaly like with the brown high viscosity glue used for dust caps ?
I found AB Sound at tlhp but certainly basic quality... (aging ?) ... I can't decide.
I thought indeed to K Muller but do not think he sells for standalone enthusiast...
Btw, what sort of glue would you use to glue such foam surrounds to the meal basket as well as a paper cone, please ? same that do not dry tottaly like with the brown high viscosity glue used for dust caps ?
Some people have used Styrene Butadiene Latex, commonly sold for waterproofing cement as SBL Latex. Many makes are sold.
It is a slightly blue white liquid, you can dilute slightly with water.
Practice using it first, if you have no experience with it earlier.
It is a slightly blue white liquid, you can dilute slightly with water.
Practice using it first, if you have no experience with it earlier.
Neoprene glue will do the job very well. It adheres to polypropylene as well. Find one in black and you are set to have a go.
I finally ordered to speakerrepairshop.nl . They give precise measurement within the milimeter of the different rings that form a driver surround
I wish I found a Kurt Muller foam gasket like repairyourspeakers.com sources, but the size they have for Dynaudio and ScanSpeak drivers were not copping the targetted drivers.
I just regret it is hard to source standalone latex brown glue that dry slowly and that are usually shipped with cone kits by some shops.
Thanks again for the help provided 🙂
I wish I found a Kurt Muller foam gasket like repairyourspeakers.com sources, but the size they have for Dynaudio and ScanSpeak drivers were not copping the targetted drivers.
I just regret it is hard to source standalone latex brown glue that dry slowly and that are usually shipped with cone kits by some shops.
Thanks again for the help provided 🙂