JBL Repairs in Chicago area

[Punch]

Hi All....any recommendations for a good authorized JBL repair center? I need to have the 14's on my 250Ti's refoamed (one may need a repair or just a dust cap)...and I need one fo the 5" mids looked at.

Thanks in advance,
Nick

[jcrobso]

Hi All....any recommendations for a good authorized JBL repair center? I need to have the 14's on my 250Ti's refoamed (one may need a repair or just a dust cap)...and I need one fo the 5" mids looked at.

Thanks in advance,
Nick

http://www.jblproservice.com/service/illinois.html

I have had some warranty work done by

http://www.midwestaudio.net/

[Punch]

http://www.jblproservice.com/service/illinois.html

I have had some warranty work done by

http://www.midwestaudio.net/

Perfect! That is who I was going to try. Thanks.

[rdgrimes]

Just be sure to specify that surrounds are to be installed on the rear.

[Punch]

Just be sure to specify that surrounds are to be installed on the rear.

:D Do you remember my L166 drivers? I went to hell and back trying to get those things back to where they were supposed to be....

[Punch]

Midwest Audio will not do it.

I need to find someone else in the Chicago area...

From Zilch:

Any authorized JBL repair center should be able to replace the 104H dust cap.

The LE14H-1 recone kit is quite expensive. JBL's philosophy is that by the time the foams have rotted, other elements such as the spider are no longer to spec, either. The factory does not provide surrounds, only complete kits. For most owners, a simple and inexpensive refoam is a more than adequate compromise. If you aren't skilled at refoaming yourself, I would not make these your first attempt; the speakers are just too valuable (not to mention nice) to learn on.

JBL authorized repair centers are disallowed by contract from offering alternatives, but, if you ASK, many will refoam. In particular, when kits are discontinued for any model, JBL does recommend refoaming. Recone kits are available for LE14H-1, however, though it's still a rational argument.

You can make it easier for them to compromise their principles by ordering the correct aftermarket kit (~$25 for the pair) from Rick Cobb, who is looneytune2001 on eBay, and once that is in hand, approach the service center (and a couple of others, locally, if necessary) for the service of installing them. The cost should be less than $100 for them to do that.

I agree, there are risks and costs involved in shipping speakers for refoam, and there are plenty of professional refoamers in the business local to you. Make sure you specify IN WRITING on the work order that you want the foams installed in the same location as the factory originals, which is on the rear of the cone for H-1s as I recall. Some "Professionals" will just slap it on the front because it is easier. Functionally, that may be fine (there is considerable debate,) but it substantially devalues the drivers....

Zilch

So, I just need to find a good shop in Illinois. Any ideas who I could bring these kits to?

[rdgrimes]

After pondering packing and shipping, I did my 14s myself. Having done a dozen or so different speakers previously, I found them to be the easiest of all. The surround from Orange Co is a perfect fit and practically centers the coil by itself. So most any reasonably competent tech should be able to do them. Maybe if you ask around in audio circles in your area you will locate someone willing to do them. FWIW, Orange Co also has dust caps and correct glue. Or you could use the same glue to repair the one with the hole if it's not too bad.

[Punch]

Thanks RD!

[jcrobso]

I have ordered the kit from OCS, I'm going to give it a try. I'll post my results.

[Punch]

I have ordered the kit from OCS, I'm going to give it a try. I'll post my results.

Where are you in Chicago?

Are you using the kit on LE14H-1's as well?

[jcrobso]

No, I don't have any LE14s. The 2115 8" will be my first attempt at reforming.

[Punch]

I am going to use this shop:

http://www.vanlspeakerworks.com/ (http://www.vanlspeakerworks.com/)

He really knows his stuff, and he was recommended by someone on Audio Karma. He said it would be $80 to do each driver. He has been building and repairing drivers for over 30 years. When I asked him about location, he said, "Those JBLs get refoamed behind...not on front." Thank God!

[Earl K]

- From my perspective, you haven't finished doing your homework ( due diligence ) to make sure that the foams used are the correct "narrow-roll" width ( & suppleness ) .

- Don't allow the following to happen to your Le14H-1(s) . These ( fat ) foams were attached to the back of the cone / but that's the only positive to this sad story ( currently on eBay ) .

- Buying the foam from Rick Cobb ( already mentioned ) insures against this from happening .

<> :)

[BMWCCA]

- Buying the foam from Rick Cobb ( already mentioned ) insures against this from happening.And you won't have to wait 4-6 weeks for your repair guy to "order the parts" or whatever you posted over on AK.

The guy certainly sounds competent, but I'm obviously too stupid to understand what he's saying here:
- Sound. We *mechanically* center the voice coil when repairing your driver. Physically centering the voice coil with shims, etc. in most cases will not correctly align the voice coil. The result will be voice coil rub and increased distortion. Does that mean he's using Rick's tone method? Push and touch? :dont-know