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Use "AR/KLH surround goo" on Electro-Voice 12TRXB triax speakers?

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nfafan

Well-Known Member
Hello all,

Subject line says it, just picked up a pair of Electro-Voice 12TRXB triax speakers that do not have foam or rubber surrounds, I wonder if I should apply the "surround dressing" I have from VintageAR for my KLH's and ADC303AX to what I guess is dried cloth surrounds??

I ask as the E-V surrounds appear to be extensions of paper. Either that or they sure are "stiff".

Thanks!

Will try to post pics of the massively-heavy bass reflex "furniture" they were mounted in.
 
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How does it sound ?
If it sounds good and looks to move freely I wouldn't touch them

Good luck.
 
Good Morning!

Those are stunning cabinets, I'm jealous! I'm surprised others haven't jumped in. I've got a 12TRXB and a pair of their full range cousins the SP12B. Your surrounds are as they should be, don't mess with 'em. Put them back into the enclosure and enjoy!

Biggles
 
Really nice speakers you have there!

Is there any info from old documents discussing any treatment applied to the surrounds? I'd leave them as is as well unless there's some factory docs describing what was applied at assembly.
 
Thanks all for the replies!

No idea yet how they sound, evilbay seller says they were fine, but took them apart to clean out the dust and verify myself (that there were no tears that could be made worse on an attempted play...).

That is when I discovered the seemingly too-dry paper surrounds.
 
I could see where one might think it was too dry, but it's not. It isn't a goo type of surround. I'd pull one of mine out and show you up close how it's put together, but I cannot at the moment. Oh, wait, here's a semi close up of a SP12B. This is the same driver as yours, but you have the T-35 horn tweeter in the center. It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.

Aristocrat016.jpg


Biggles
 
Thanks for the reply and picture! Yes, mine has the "burnt orange" surround - and with an almost imperceptible "butt-joint" to the main paper cone. The orange surrounds are as stiff and dry as the cone material itself.

My concern is the dryness of the 60's vintage surrounds have no "give" for flex.
 
nfafan said:
Thanks for the reply and picture! Yes, mine has the "burnt orange" surround - and with an almost imperceptible "butt-joint" to the main paper cone. The orange surrounds are as stiff and dry as the cone material itself.

My concern is the dryness of the 60's vintage surrounds have no "give" for flex.
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Hey,

Is your concern from personal experience with these specific surrounds?

Generally speaking, I understand your concern. I've got 2 pair of Sansui SP-3500's. After nearly 40 years, the cloth surrounds that were treated with some type of goop has stiffened. This directly affects the bass response, they're weak on bass. They need to be cleaned and re-treated.

These are not like that, in my personal experience. The 3 drivers I have are from the 1960's and show no signs of being stiff. They deliver very rich, warm lows that melt your skull like butter over a steak. The cones move very easily and are mightily efficient. My little 17 watt Scott tube amp move them effortlessly. The 3500's take about 20 to 30 watts before they open up.

Biggles
 
No, not from experience with these E-Vs before, just never seen surrounds that were so "dry".

All my various speakers have foam, treated cloth, untreated "satin" like the Fisher STV's, or rubber surrounds.

My initial impression was that these were cloth surrounds that had originally been treated with something to provide edge flex to the woofer cone, but have now completely dried out.
Not worried about air-leaks thru the surround in this bass reflex install, just the paper disintegrating when lighting these up.
 
nfafan said:
No, not from experience with these E-Vs before, just never seen surrounds that were so "dry".

All my various speakers have foam, treated cloth, untreated "satin" like the Fisher STV's, or rubber surrounds.

My initial impression was that these were cloth surrounds that had originally been treated with something to provide edge flex to the woofer cone, but have now completely dried out.
Not worried about air-leaks thru the surround in this bass reflex install, just the paper disintegrating when lighting these up.
Click to expand...

Gotcha and understood. I've got similar drivers or had similar drivers such as yours in my stable, and I get it. But the EV surrounds are different. I'm surprised others haven't stopped by, it's probably because of the holiday weekend here in the states. I'm sure someone here knows exactly how these surrounds are manufactured. Maybe there's something on the net about it.

The day is winding down here, just relaxing. I'd be willing to take close-ups of both the front and the backs of the EV surrounds, if you'd like to see them clearer. I can do that tomorrow morning. Let me know if you're interested.

Biggles
 
They are fine , play em and enjoy !

I drove thru Buchanan yesterday , sad that the headquarters are no longer there

Long live Electro-Voice ...and happy Independence Day.

I had a bald eagle fly over my boat today within 50 feet , it made me feel alive and proud to be American !
 
fishondwan said:
They are fine , play em and enjoy !

I drove thru Buchanan yesterday , sad that the headquarters are no longer there

Long live Electro-Voice ...and happy Independence Day.

I had a bald eagle fly over my boat today within 50 feet , it made me feel alive and proud to be American !
Click to expand...

Hey Fishondwan!

Welp, considering the list of speakers on your tag line there, there's no issue to fret about here. Which is what I gathered from what I have to play with here. But it's nice to have someone come along who has the direct experience necessary to settle the discussion.

Bald eagle ????? That's awesome! All we got here are tiny birds. Happy Independence Day!

Biggles
 
I agree to leaving them alone. They look fine to me from your picture. When I had mine, they exhibited very good bass. If yours sound good, they are working properly. Do you have the 8 or 16 Ohm version?
 
HTHMAN said:
I agree to leaving them alone. They look fine to me from your picture. When I had mine, they exhibited very good bass. If yours sound good, they are working properly. Do you have the 8 or 16 Ohm version?
Click to expand...

Me bet is they are the 16Ohm version, they are the "cinnamon" (or copper-orange-ish) colored frame. Tweeter "horn" feels like it is cast metal. Sounds awesome.

I have the one I cleaned up so far on the RF connection with my Walsh2 on the LF, and the "directness" of the E-V overwhelms the Walsh.

Probably use the E-Vs as fronts and move the swirly Walsh2s to the rears.
 
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