What do I have?

[Outlaw6Guy]

Ok, first off let me say, I don't know squat about the technical names of all the stereo speakers that I have! All I know is that they sounded really great for the first 20 years I had them, but about 4 years ago they are started to rattle. I finally took one of the speakers out of the cabinet today (I don't like to rush into anything), and the foam, or what ever it is has deteriorated from around the speakers. On the back of the speaker it says "James B. Lansing, Model 128H, Impedance 8 ohms, Serial 58514. I bought them in 1982, I think. First question I have is, what do I have, and the second question is, can they be repaired? Ok, you'll be easy on me, I'm old and slow.
Jack

[grumpy]

Hi Jack,

It's possible to replace the foam surround if there's no voice coil damage and
the speakers weren't abused. A recone is a good choice if there's doubt about
the condition of the spider (accordian-looking cloth under the magnet that
centers the voice coil and holds it in the magnet gap) or visible evidence of
other deterioration, although more expensive. A recone is also what I
understand the factory recommendation to be (you'll have essentially a new
driver).

128H is the model of the 12" driver (guessing you might have an L112 pair
but a picture or description of the other drivers would help). With the front
cover off, is there a model number or any level controls viewable?

Grumpy.

[hjames]

Ok, first off let me say, I don't know squat about the technical names of all the stereo speakers that I have! All I know is that they sounded really great for the first 20 years I had them, but about 4 years ago they are started to rattle. I finally took one of the speakers out of the cabinet today (I don't like to rush into anything), and the foam, or what ever it is has deteriorated from around the speakers. On the back of the speaker it says "James B. Lansing, Model 128H, Impedance 8 ohms, Serial 58514. I bought them in 1982, I think. First question I have is, what do I have, and the second question is, can they be repaired? Ok, you'll be easy on me, I'm old and slow.
Jack The 128H is a woofer - thats the part of the speaker that makes the low bass sounds. The 128H has a foam surround, thats a flexible ring around the outer edge of the paper cone that allows the cone to move in and out and move some air. The foam is a pretty good surround material, nice and flexible, but after a while (20+ years?) it deteriorates and falls apart - the foam rots.
If the paper cone is still in good shape you can have the foam ring replaced and get back the good sound you remember.

[edgewound]

Hi Jack,

The 128H 12" woofer has a white cone....the white (probably faded a little tinge to yellow now) material is known as "Aquaplas" coating on a paper pulp cone and came in the L112, L150,and 4411 pro studio monitors.

Like grumpy said, the foam can be replaced by a competent servicer...preferably JBL Authorized...or it can be totally rebuilt with 128H recone kit. Reconing the driver assures you that the driver will function as new, but often-times a refoam will give added life to an otherwise non-abused, non-overdriven speaker.

Current price to recone your 128H with the genuine JBL recone kit is $186.00 ea. A refoam will be considerably less...but you need to make sure that the servicer is good, and will give your driver the care it deserves.

Hope that helps.

[Outlaw6Guy]

Hi Jack,

It's possible to replace the foam surround if there's no voice coil damage and
the speakers weren't abused. A recone is a good choice if there's doubt about
the condition of the spider (accordian-looking cloth under the magnet that
centers the voice coil and holds it in the magnet gap) or visible evidence of
other deterioration, although more expensive. A recone is also what I
understand the factory recommendation to be (you'll have essentially a new
driver).

128H is the model of the 12" driver (guessing you might have an L112 pair
but a picture or description of the other drivers would help). With the front
cover off, is there a model number or any level controls viewable?

Grumpy.


The 128H is a woofer - thats the part of the speaker that makes the low bass sounds. The 128H has a foam surround, thats a flexible ring around the outer edge of the paper cone that allows the cone to move in and out and move some air. The foam is a pretty good surround material, nice and flexible, but after a while (20+ years?) it deteriorates and falls apart - the foam rots.
If the paper cone is still in good shape you can have the foam ring replaced and get back the good sound you remember.


Thanks guys. Oh man, that sort of scared me, when I saw the screen name of the first person to reply. Thought maybe I was in trouble already.
These speakers have had a very easy life, they have only been moved one time since 1982, and have always been sitting in my nice air-conditioned den. I've been sitting here looking at them, and it looks to me like the only thing wrong is the foam. Do I look for a place locally to re-foam them, or is that something I can do myself. Can you buy the foam, already pre formed?

[Outlaw6Guy]

Hi Jack,

The 128H 12" woofer has a white cone....the white (probably faded a little tinge to yellow now) material is known as "Aquaplas" coating on a paper pulp cone and came in the L112, L150,and 4411 pro studio monitors.

Like grumpy said, the foam can be replaced by a competent servicer...preferably JBL Authorized...or it can be totally rebuilt with 128H recone kit. Reconing the driver assures you that the driver will function as new, but often-times a refoam will give added life to an otherwise non-abused, non-overdriven speaker.

Current price to recone your 128H with the genuine JBL recone kit is $186.00 ea. A refoam will be considerably less...but you need to make sure that the servicer is good, and will give your driver the care it deserves.

Hope that helps.

You'll have been a great help. I now know four time as much about my speakers as I did one hour ago. As for the L112, L150,and 4411 pro studio monitors, how do I know which I have? My cabinets are approximately 4 ft. tall X 18" wide X 18" deep. That's just a guess, I'm at my office, and the speakers are at home. Well, all but one speaker which is laying in front of me right now. If I try and find someone locally to re foam them, what type of business do I look for? One place I talked to told me, which was a stereo shop, said I needed to replace all the speakers with some junk they sold. They were made in China, and I don't buy anything made in China.
Jack

[edgewound]

Thanks guys. Oh man, that sort of scared me, when I saw the screen name of the first person to reply. Thought maybe I was in trouble already.
These speakers have had a very easy life, they have only been moved one time since 1982, and have always been sitting in my nice air-conditioned den. I've been sitting here looking at them, and it looks to me like the only thing wrong is the foam. Do I look for a place locally to re-foam them, or is that something I can do myself. Can you buy the foam, already pre formed?

If you are confident in your craftsmanship skills, there are several sources for the foam surrounds with instructions on how to do it properly.

There's also some "how-to" threads in the forum on how it's done, most notably one from BoPutnam.

You can save considerable money doing it yourself, but if you've not done it before you risk wasting your money on the kit and ruining a perfectly repairable $300.00 driver....of course then you can always get it reconed....just depends on how adventurous you are. I'm not trying to scare you, just giving you the realities of it. You've got a high-end piece of equipment that deserves high-end care.

[edgewound]

You'll have been a great help. I now know four time as much about my speakers as I did one hour ago. As for the L112, L150,and 4411 pro studio monitors, how do I know which I have? My cabinets are approximately 4 ft. tall X 18" wide X 18" deep. That's just a guess, I'm at my office, and the speakers are at home. Well, all but one speaker which is laying in front of me right now. If I try and find someone locally to re foam them, what type of business do I look for? One place I talked to told me, which was a stereo shop, said I needed to replace all the speakers with some junk they sold. They were made in China, and I don't buy anything made in China.
Jack

Hi Jack,

Sounds like you have L150's. What ever you do...DON'T listen to the people that want you to replace your woofer's with something else...they aren't being your buddy.

Even if you must ship to get them fixed, you'll be better off in the long run.

[Outlaw6Guy]

If you are confident in your craftsmanship skills, there are several sources for the foam surrounds with instructions on how to do it properly.

There's also some "how-to" threads in the forum on how it's done, most notably one from BoPutnam.

You can save considerable money doing it yourself, but if you've not done it before you risk wasting your money on the kit and ruining a perfectly repairable $300.00 driver....of course then you can always get it reconed....just depends on how adventurous you are. I'm not trying to scare you, just giving you the realities of it. You've got a high-end piece of equipment that deserves high-end care.

Just found two places in the D/FW area that are authorized JBL repair station, think I'll try them Monday morning since they are closed today. I don't feel real adventuresome today! Do you have any idea what it should cost to get four speakers re foamed?

[Outlaw6Guy]

Hi Jack,

Sounds like you have L150's. What ever you do...DON'T listen to the people that want you to replace your woofer's with something else...they aren't being your buddy.

Even if you must ship to get them fixed, you'll be better off in the long run.

I was born at night, but it wasn't last night! I would never let go of these speakers, or replace the woofer's with sumpin else. Ain't gonna happen, and thanks for the advise, Ill take all I can get.

[edgewound]

Just found two places in the D/FW area that are authorized JBL repair station, think I'll try them Monday morning since they are closed today. I don't feel real adventuresome today! Do you have any idea what it should cost to get four speakers re foamed?

The L150's have 1 each of 128H active woofer and a grey/black cone 12" passive radiator below it...PR300.

Should be about $200-$250 for all four....(2)woofers(2)passive radiators with no voice coil or magnet/motor assy.

Make sure they do it right and mount the surround to the backside of the cone...just like it was done at the factory.

[Phil H]

Outlaw
There is a '82 catalog in the library. I thought you might be interested. It has pictures and detail on the L150.
http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/catalogs/1982-home.htm

[Titanium Dome]

There's a place I go here in Los Angeles that will do a JBL authorized refoam for $30 per driver, but that's lower than most, probably because you might get mugged/kidnapped/killed in that neighborhood. :shock:

I think it's more typical to pay $45 or so for a 12" JBL refoam. Some places might ask for a bit more. Just be sure to tell them up front you want the foam installed on the proper side of the cone, or they might take the easy route and put it on the front of the cone.

[Outlaw6Guy]

Outlaw
There is a '82 catalog in the library. I thought you might be interested. It has pictures and detail on the L150.
http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/catalogs/1982-home.htm

Wow, thanks a ton. Looks like I have a pair of L150A's. The ones in the catalog look exactly like mine, well except for the bad foam. Thanks.:applaud:

[Outlaw6Guy]

There's a place I go here in Los Angeles that will do a JBL authorized refoam for $30 per driver, but that's lower than most, probably because you might get mugged/kidnapped/killed in that neighborhood. :shock:

I think it's more typical to pay $45 or so for a 12" JBL refoam. Some places might ask for a bit more. Just be sure to tell them up front you want the foam installed on the proper side of the cone, or they might take the easy route and put it on the front of the cone.

The whole Dallas area is starting to be the same way, I just absolutely love all the illegales, and the druggies!
When I decide which place to take my speakers to here in Dallas, I'll be sure and remind them not to put the foam on the easy side.
A bunker in Idaho is looking better all the time. Thanks for the advise.

[toddalin]

I think it's more typical to pay $45 or so for a 12" JBL refoam. Some places might ask for a bit more. Just be sure to tell them up front you want the foam installed on the proper side of the cone, or they might take the easy route and put it on the front of the cone.

The typical going rate is $45/speaker. That's what Orange County Speaker charges, and you can buy their refoam kits from epay. At $45, I'd just let them do it.

The bit about the shop installing the foam on the correct side is not to be taken lightly. You need this in writing up front or they typically will put the foams on the wrong side, regardless of who you spoke with. It's just so much easier for them to do it the wrong way. Too many on this forum have been taken advantage of in this respect.:(

[Zilch]

"In writing" is a good idea.

"Well, we mount 'em to the front all the time here."

"Pretty quick draw with admitting you're idiots, aren't ya?"

"Yer one of them Lansing Heritage nutcases, right?"

"Yup, I am NOW. You gonna do it right, or do I have to take 'em somewhere's else?"

:D

[Outlaw6Guy]

The weather forcast for the D/FW area for the last 30 days, and for probably the next 10 to 15 days. 79 Degrees for the night time low, and 102 degrees for a daytime high! Man, I hate this Texas summer time weather. I ain't going outside until October!:blink: