Topic: Dented woofer... what to do? (Pics inside)

[Diamond_D]

So in the process of everyone moving out for the summer, my friend gave me this pretty decent pair of Sharp speakers (also a nice Tuner/Receiver).  But while carrying one of them I heard something clunking around in the cabinet so I figured it was one of the magnets. I took the cover off, and this is what I found - the middle of the woofer is bent in, and the high tweeter is a little bent too.

Is there something I can do for the woofer? Unscrew it and set something back up? It still plays, and I don't wanna ruin it since I don't have experience with it, but I'd like to fix it since I have it. Advice appreciated!

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

You can pull that tweeter and try to smoothout the cone by working it with your fingers, but other than that you might need to replace it if it sounds bad.

The dimple in the center of the woofer can be improved.  You can use a small straight pin to catch and lift the material or you can use some sticky tape to "grab" and pull out the dimple.  Use some tape that will adhere without needing to be pressed or you'll make the dimple worse.  There are probably some other tricks but these are the only ones I know. 

[Daryan]

I would try to figure out the crossover frequencies and change out all of the drivers to match what you come up.

[Nick in Edinboro]

I've used the sticky tape method on a silk dome tweeter to some success, YMMV.

[BobW]

Don't laugh, a cautiously used vacuum cleaner can be very helpful.
Don't poke with a pin unless you're out of options.

Don't do this with the vacuum either, it will cause your band to go on a hiatus, then break-up:

[Diamond_D]

duct tape did the trick on the woofer, looks totally fine now. The tweeter is slightly better, but that's not a huge concern. Thanks for the tips!!


What do you guys make of the clunking in the cabinet? Is that something serious? Also, is compressed air or a feather duster a good idea on those dirty cones?

[Nick in Edinboro]

Hmm.. the clunking could be a crossover come loose.  Might have had it affixed to the side and the glue has since disintigrated leaving it rattling around...?

Is there a binding post plate on the back you can unscrew and take a look inside?  You could unscrew that woofer and take a look too, just don't let the woofer "fall" hold it and lift it out enough to peer inside the cabinet.

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Don't laugh, a cautiously used vacuum cleaner can be very helpful.
Don't poke with a pin unless you're out of options.

I forgot about the the vacuum cleaner trick - that's a good one.   I just wish I had seen that picture later this afternoon and not right after finishing lunch ;-).

[Diamond_D]

took the woofer (gently) out, and it turns out it was just a piece of wood reinforcement for the corners which had come loose. Looks like I'm in business! For the price ($0) these are pretty sweet!

+T to all involved!