LE-10H advice

[Ralph856]

Just won a supposedly 'new in box' LE-10H but didn't have an opportunity to ask the seller any questions, coming across it at the last minute. It's to replace the faulty one in my L96. I would have liked to ask the seller to test that it was working okay, although he might not have agreed.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150843713487?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_500wt_1095

Just wondering if there are any issues I should be aware of? eg do the foam surrounds deteriorate even when unused. Any recommendations for how to pack the driver properly for shipping, bearing in mind it will have to travel from the US to UK.

Hopefully, this isn't going to end in disappointment !

Great forum & many thanks! :cheers:

[4343]

Well, first off, "New In Box" should mean that it is in the original shipping box, which should be packed into a not-much-larger box for shipment. Explain to the seller that the original shipping box is worth more to you than the speaker so that it is indeed double boxed. One good thing about the original box, it will have a relief for the foam so that the cone will not have spent the last decade pressed back into the basket they way just setting it on a flat surface would have done.

And yes, foam does deteriorate slower in a sealed box, but deteriorate it does. I got lucky with some NIB JBL recone kits dated around 1995, the foam has yet to fall apart, but it's all about the environment the kit is in. Mine came from The Great White North, so probably did not spend much time in high heat. YMMV as they say...

[Ralph856]

Thanks for the info! I've asked the seller if it's double-boxed or not..

:cheers:

[Ralph856]

Well, first off, "New In Box" should mean that it is in the original shipping box, which should be packed into a not-much-larger box for shipment. Explain to the seller that the original shipping box is worth more to you than the speaker so that it is indeed double boxed. One good thing about the original box, it will have a relief for the foam so that the cone will not have spent the last decade pressed back into the basket they way just setting it on a flat surface would have done.



Well, the pair of 'new in box' drivers arrived. Contrary to what the seller told me, they are only single-boxed by JBL, although he used his own second box for shipping. The foam inlays are both present.



And yes, foam does deteriorate slower in a sealed box, but deteriorate it does. I got lucky with some NIB JBL recone kits dated around 1995, the foam has yet to fall apart, but it's all about the environment the kit is in. Mine came from The Great White North, so probably did not spend much time in high heat. YMMV as they say


Both drivers need a refoam- do you know the best place to get some kits from? Looks like these were stored near Chicago and there's an invoice showing that both boxes were shipped by Harman in 2000 but they were both manufactured in 1986.

One box shows some water stains externally- which the seller didn't disclose in the auction - although that driver's aquaplas is actually whiter and foam less deteriorated than the driver from the box without any water stains on it. That woofer is slightly yellower..


Some pictures:


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[Audiobeer]

You did good considering it only needs foam!

[rdgrimes]

One box shows some water stains externally- which the seller didn't disclose in the auction - although that driver's aquaplas is actually whiter and foam less deteriorated than the driver from the box without any water stains on it. That woofer is slightly yellower..


I'll guess that the wet driver was swapped with the dry one in their boxes. That foam looks to be mildewed and the yellowing on the cone is suspicious. Inspect the back of the cone and particularly the spider. Check the cone for free movement throughout it's range of motion. (Rust in the VC gap being the main concern). It may well be OK, you'll know when you fire it up.

[Ralph856]

You did good considering it only needs foam!

Thanks man. I paid a lot though :crying:. Was desperate to get my L96's back up and running after sitting around for 2 years..




I'll guess that the wet driver was swapped with the dry one in their boxes. That foam looks to be mildewed and the yellowing on the cone is suspicious. Inspect the back of the cone and particularly the spider. . (Rust in the VC gap being the main concern).

Cheers.

According to the serial numbers, the more yellowed woofer came from the better looking box, the one without water stains. Anyhow, looking more closely, the one from the stained box also has similar discolouration, mild mildew and the surround is completely falling away from woofer:

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Check the cone for free movement throughout it's range of motion

Pressing in both cones, they only seem to travel a a short distance (1cm very approx) before coming to a crunchy stop. In contrast, another pair of LE10's I have and the cones travels in a lot further (more like a good inch). I'm no expert unfortunately, so the only way to really know their condition is to take them to Wembley Loudspeaker for a check up. They do refoam/ recones.




It may well be OK, you'll know when you fire it up

Should they be refoamed first or can I do a check now? Isn't playing them with rotting surrounds a big no, no?


The seller didn't mention their condition in his ebay auction, just that they were 'new in box'. Not sure I would necessarily win if took this to paypal dispute. I guess it would all hinge on whether NIB implies good condition and working order, or not. :o:

[rdgrimes]

"NIB" obviously can have different meanings. It's easy to tell if they've been mounted. If the VCs are intact and the drivers work as expected, they probably qualify as new.
Don't try to run them till re-foamed.

[Ralph856]

"NIB" obviously can have different meanings. If the VCs are intact and the drivers work as expected, they probably qualify as new..

So rd, it's not a problem that they travel a lot less than my other LE-10's (ie only around a cm)? :hmm:

BTW, here's a few of the inside:

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It's easy to tell if they've been mounted.


Hmm, the mounting holes don't appear to have been used..

56361


Do you know anywhere I can buy genuine refoam or the nearest equivalent? Thanks!

[rdgrimes]

Absent a correct foam suspension, it's really not possible to tell much about the rest.

I'm not sure where's the simplest place to get foam where you are. If you go with one of the US suppliers you'd want to contact them about shipping.

[4313B]

I believe Gordon has the proper surrounds for LE8's and LE10's.

[Ralph856]

Absent a correct foam suspension, it's really not possible to tell much about the rest.

I'm not sure where's the simplest place to get foam where you are. If you go with one of the US suppliers you'd want to contact them about shipping.


Could you name one or two please? Save me starting a thread. Thanks man

My previous (and faulty) LE10's were refoamed by Wembley Loudspeakers here in London, but I don't know if they used strictly the 100% correct surrounds. Here's an old photo of it:

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[Ralph856]

I believe Gordon has the proper surrounds for LE8's and LE10's.


Our posts crossed. If you could tell me his Lancing name, I'll pm him. Thanks!

[4313B]

GordonW here and Audiokarma.

[Ralph856]

Cheers G..

[berf]

I've been wanting to buy my LE111H surrounds from Audio Friends. (LE10H is the same basic driver)
http://www.audiofriends.com/

In a long-buried post it was noted that their surround foam for these drivers was much closer to the original thickness and compliance than the kits from Rick Cobb. They also list a kit for the 115H, which Rick does not have.

[Ralph856]

thanks for that. Can you link to the thread?

[berf]

Here you go!
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?29758-The-ONLY-right-10-quot-refoam-surround

[rdgrimes]

I remember when I did my LE10H (L96) with the kits from Orange Co, they were pretty stiff at first but loosened up after a few hours of ample power being applied. ;)
I'm not sure most folks would hear much difference, especially after break-in. Also the thinner foam won't last as long. Jes sayin'.

[Ralph856]

Here you go!http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?29758-The-ONLY-right-10-quot-refoam-surround

Thanks. That reminds me I need to *finally* install the custom 3113B XO's I bought for my L96's. Should be fairly straightforward. Anyone in the London area up for it, for a fee of course?.:)

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I remember when I did my LE10H (L96) with the kits from Orange Co, they were pretty stiff at first but loosened up after a few hours of ample power being applied. ;)I'm not sure most folks would hear much difference, especially after break-in. Also the thinner foam won't last as long. Jes sayin'.


Thinking of buying a pair of these Hypex NC400 at some point. 200 watts into 8 ohms and 0.7 milliohms Zout. Not sure subs will be that necessary with this degree of woofer control:

http://www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=102 (http://www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=102)

[rdgrimes]

The L96 will always benefit from a good sub.

[Ralph856]

Or two :).

Do you bother high passing the 96's? Should be less distortion if they stay above 80Hz or so.

My SVS sub has it inbuilt but there are other options externally, I believe.

[WDJ]

Can you see the foam "filter" through the metal screen/grille on the back of the speaker?

Mine had started to deteriorate (as the surrounds do). I was able to get the screen off and use a small vacuum to pull the foam out. I used a borescope and looked around inside and (fortunately!), was able to get it all out.


The I glued a piece of a stocking under the metal screen/grille as I wasn't going to put more foam into the equation.

[Ralph856]

Can you see the foam "filter" through the metal screen/grille on the back of the speaker?

Mine had started to deteriorate (as the surrounds do). I was able to get the screen off and use a small vacuum to pull the foam out. I used a borescope and looked around inside and (fortunately!), was able to get it all out.


The I glued a piece of a stocking under the metal screen/grille as I wasn't going to put more foam into the equation.

Hi

I'll check later.

Does this have any bearing on whether I should send them off for a refoam?