I contacted Snell re. new woofer foams. This is the reply:
"We don't have the refoam kits for our speakers and don't really
recommend it because of the differences in the materials used. We do
have a solution though! We have the woofers for the Type E series
available. We take crossover components and adjust them to match the
production woofer to the master reference E woofer. We include these
components along with installation instructions with the woofer. The
cost of the E series woofer is $149.00 each. We would need to know which
Type E speaker you have, either the E original,EII,EIII or EIV. If you
would like to talk or order the woofers you can call at the number below
or e-mail and there is an order form found on our website."
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I went the same route and got pretty much the same response:
Hi XXXX,
We do not do the refoaming of the Type E series woofers and do not have
any refoaming kits. We do have the woofers for all of the Type E
speakers. We tune each woofer individually to the master woofer and
include the tuned crossover components with installation instructions.
We would need to know which model of the Type E series you own, either E
original,EII,EIII or EIV. The cost of the E series are all $149.00 each
with shipping in the continental U.S. included. If you are interested in
ordering you can call at the number below or use the order form found on
our website.
Mark Malynn
Snell Acoustics Customer Service Department
(978) 538-6262 ext. 6273
Mon.-Fri. 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST
Clearly, one must re-foam the existing woofers, the replacement woofer prices are on the unreasonable side.
GeoAli on eBAy is advertising he has Snell foams. I put a mike to the front of the roll on my woofer (EIII) and got 18mm for the Snell and 16mm for the generic 8". You might want to contact him and let him know you are aware of the difference and to confirm what he is offering is the larger roll. The generic 8" appears to fit and could be used, but you would be changing the characteristics of the driver somewhat. I have used alternate foams without ill effect on some projects (Paradigm Titan), but I'd do my best to get the right ones before going that route.
The EPI 8", by the way, can be refoamed with generic 8" from Matelectronics (.99/ea last time I checked) and it is a perfect fit.