LE14a refoam question

[Robh3606]

I did get them from Rick... they're close, but not exact.

Edit: Added some pics of the woofer and the surrounds. According to the number written on the bag, they're the ones he said would fit. Is there a way to get them to shrink?

I have refoamed a couple of pairs and the earlier ones with aquaplas have the best fit with the surrounds inverted. That said I did my first pair with the surrounds glued on the back and the I left the aquaplas ring on the woofer. It was a tight fit but it worked out fine.

I think what makes them harder to fit is the surrounds are flat and don't have an angle and the Le-14 cones is thick from being coated on both sides. Even with a later pair that were originally foamed they were a bit of work getting a good fit to the back of the cone where the originals were mounted.

Rob

[Earl K]

Bummer ( & not good news for Rick C. )

Here are some foam dimensions from another supplier ! ( found via eBay ) .

( I have no clue if they're really correct / though their marketing blurb would suggest they are, fwiw )



We are a JBL authorized service center and use these parts everyday.


14" Woofer Dimensions:

A - Outside diameter of the surround : 12.125"
B - Roll ends : 11.75"
C - Roll starts / O.D. of the cone : 11"
D - Inside diameter of the surround : 10.5"

15" Passive Radiator Dimensions:

A - Outside diameter of the surround : 14.75"
B - Roll ends : 13.5"
C - Roll starts / O.D. of the cone : 12.75"
D - Inside diameter of the surround : 12"

One thought ( because I can't quite see from the pictures ) ; have you already removed the black plastic trim ring ( snugged up against the metal frame / hiding the edge of the existing surround ) ?

It occupies a bit of space / maybe enough to suggest a bad fit ( if it's still in place ) .

regards <> Earl

[jimbofish]

I have refoamed a couple of pairs and the earlier ones with aquaplas have the best fit with the surrounds inverted. That said I did my first pair with the surrounds glued on the back and the I left the aquaplas ring on the woofer. It was a tight fit but it worked out fine.

I think what makes them harder to fit is the surrounds are flat and don't have an angle and the Le-14 cones is thick from being coated on both sides. Even with a later pair that were originally foamed they were a bit of work getting a good fit to the back of the cone where the originals were mounted.

Rob

That was my original plan and I think I should have just gone with it now as it would have looked better. After playing with these things for over a week I find myself in agreement with all that you've said.

[jimbofish]

Bummer ( & not good news for Rick C. )

Here are some foam dimensions from another supplier ! ( found via eBay ) .

( I have no clue if they're really correct / though their marketing blurb would suggest they are, fwiw )


14" Woofer Dimensions:

A - Outside diameter of the surround : 12.125"
B - Roll ends : 11.75"
C - Roll starts / O.D. of the cone : 11"
D - Inside diameter of the surround : 10.5"

One thought ( because I can't quite see from the pictures ) ; have you already removed the black plastic trim ring ( snugged up against the metal frame / hiding the edge of the existing surround ) ?

It occupies a bit of space / maybe enough to suggest a bad fit ( if it's still in place ) .

regards <> Earl

Yes, those are the same dimensions. I checked a third supplier who doesn't think his would be any different from Rick's. I doubt that there's anything wrong with the one's Rick sold me. That they fit fine inverted seems to confirm that they are the correct size.

I've come across some more info from some very respected speaker gurus that seem to confirm what I'm seeing. Seems the conventional methods have to be "adjusted" to work with these speakers.

BTW I did remove the rubber trim ring.

[jimbofish]

Can you publish a few dimensions so comparisons can be made? I would think the inside diameter of the frame, the ouside diameter of the cone, and the outside and inside diameters of the surround would be a good start.
I wouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater, just yet. As a last resort, you could cut the surround and overlap the cut edge for a fit. Not a factory deal but I've done it and it works.

The frame is 12 1/8" and the cone is 11", which matches up with Rick's surrounds and the surround dimension in another post. I don't think there's any need to cut them, although the thought did cross my mind.

[brutal]

Yes, those are the same dimensions. I checked a third supplier who doesn't think his would be any different from Rick's. I doubt that there's anything wrong with the one's Rick sold me. That they fit fine inverted seems to confirm that they are the correct size.

I've come across some more info from some very respected speaker gurus that seem to confirm what I'm seeing. Seems the conventional methods have to be "adjusted" to work with these speakers.

BTW I did remove the rubber trim ring.

Has to be something odd with the angle of the surround when placed either way. Rick specifically told me not to use them inverted as they wouldn't "work right." I just don't get why you're having so much trouble with these. Has the frame and cone dia. been compared to any others? Have you tried to pull the cone in with a battery and place the surround?

Let me run down and measure mine...

[brutal]

Hard to tell with the retainer installed, but the frame is 12-1/16".

One thing I see wrong with the image you show is the LE14A must be a small roll - 3/8" not 1/2" or larger. If you have 1/2" roll, they're wrong.

I went back and reread my old post and noted the surround was actually a little smaller than the frame. Hmmm.

[jimbofish]

Well, they're done! Right now I'm just waiting for the second dust cap to dry before testing. I was shooting for getting at least one done and re-installed last week before we left for the weekend. My plans were waylayed on Thursday when the A/C drain on the furnace plugged and caused a minor flood in the basement.

AFAICT there was nothing wrong with these surrounds. After leaving them dry-fitted in position on the speaker, they seemed to re-form back to their proper shape after a few days, with only the slightest bit of excess bulge that was an easy fit. My best guess is that they "relaxed" for some reason... maybe excess heat somewhere along the line in shipping since it's been so hot lately?

I did end up gluing them in reverse, that is, frame first, then cone. I haven't done a ton of surrounds, but I can say these were by far the most challenging even if the surround was not an issue. The narrow rim on the basket, the odd gasket, the Aquaplas surface, the ribs at the edge of the cone... In hindsight, I think my plan in the OP would have worked just as well and been a lot less work.

So, I'm off to test them and finally hear how they sound.

[Wagner]

Use MEK and cotton swabs to remove old surround and glue

Use Rick Cobb's surrounds; they are a PERFECT fit (unless he's changed them)

Rick's new surround will perfectly cover the glue line from the old and fall concentrically into the frame like they grew there

Attach the new foam surround to the FRONT of the cone, with the roll facing you

I asked the same questions, did mine and then 2 more pair the same

Perfect; the old brown glue will roll up like a rubber cement bugger after the correct amount of MEK and time has transpired

Rick Cobbs's LE14A surround foams fit so well it is very easy to glue it all up at once if you make use of his 30CPS set up disc

Actually, seems to go better that way, and you only have to wait for (1) drying spell

Take your time; the solution will reveal itself

Avoid paralysis via over analysis

Good luck (just noted you got one done)

Thomas

[Wagner]

I've read through quite a few threads here about refoaming these LE14a's. Didn't seem to find anything definitive as to whether the surround should go on the front or back of the cone. Seems like it works ok either way.

The new surrounds won't completely cover the area where the old foam is attached and it seems like it would be extremely unlikely that I could get all the old brown glue off without damaging the Aquaplas on the front of the cone. I've trimmed all the old Lansalloy back to a nice smooth edge at the cone edge, but haven't tried to remove it any further. It looks quite nice with the new foam test-positioned on the back.

The new foam weighs 5grams... the roll part of the old surround, which came off intact, weighs 3 grams... I'd guess the complete old surround would have weighed at least 6 to 7 grams. So, leaving the inner part of the old surround would add 1 or 2 grams to the cone weight.

I'm wondering if anyone has left the Lansalloy partially on the front of the cone and glued the new foam surround to the back?

Again, Rick Cobb's will if installed properly
(old removed properly as well)