Rustly AR18s

[Mark]

My 88 year-old father recently complained that the Acoustic Research AR18 speakers I gave him 30 years ago were sounding a bit “rustly”. I checked them out last weekend. One was dead, but as they were only 4ft apart I guess it was easy to miss one channel:-) and the other sounded sort of OK except for bass notes which were broken up. I took the grilles off and a handful of crumbly stuff fell on the floor and I saw that whatever was supposed to connect the cones to the surrounds had completely gone ! I have seen DIY repair kits for sale on the internet but I would rather let someone do it who does it all day every day. I need to get some quotes to see if they are economically repairable. Is there anywhere other than Wembley loudspeaker anyone would recommend ?

Thanks

Mark

[colin.hepburn]

Hi Mark
You may find someone to do the repairs for you but I don’t think it’ll be cheap
You probably have already done a Google search but try a search for acoustic research ar18 speakers cone repair Uk in your area it may pull up somebody But I think your best bet is to DIY them Check out Youtube for step-by-step tutorials
But unless your father likes them and wishes them repaired

Personally, I wouldn’t bother with them now there are way better speakers out there now for likely less than the repair cost you are likely to be quoted

I had a pair of the Ar18LXs with the same cone problems but didn’t bother with the repair I just kept the tweeters’ for another project and moved on if you move on from them keep the tweeters if they are still working
hope that helps a bit
Colin

[snowman_al]

Hi Mark,
You say one is dead and one is 'working'.
If they have been used for some time with the foam missing then it is likely the voice coils have rubbed / are rubbing on the magnets. That is the rustling you might hear.
I'm not sure a re-foam is going to be any good. Certainly expensive if you do not DIY.
A better solution if you want to keep them for your Dad would be to replace the woofer units with new 8 inch 8 ohm ones. I would not worry about specs, at least you would have a working pair. For example CPC have a paper cone unit
by Vistaton, search 8" Full Range Speaker Driver, 8 Ohm, 40W RMS @ ~£28 each.
Alan

[bob orbell]

Agree with all posts, bin them and buy new, as Colin said, there are MUCH better speakers out there for less than a repair. Bob

[bob orbell]

But unless your farther likes them and wishes them repaid ( should read, [ repaired ]

[colin.hepburn]

Originally Posted by bob orbell

But unless your farther likes them and wishes them repaid ( should read, [ repaired ]

now repaired. Bob

[bob orbell]

Well done Colin, again, the spell checker would see nothing wrong. Bob

[Pingushome]

Hi
Bit late I know but just found the speaker
So if you must have AR18s here’s a set on fleebay that have been re foamed so maybe this guy knows where and how much it cost if you don’t buy his speakers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134145082...QAAOSwJgJik24M

Martin

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Pingushome

Hi
Bit late I know but just found the speaker
So if you must have AR18s here’s a set on fleebay that have been re foamed so maybe this guy knows where and how much it cost if you don’t buy his speakers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134145082...QAAOSwJgJik24M

Martin

Martin,

Thanks for that. I will ask the seller. I am still waiting for a quote from Wembley Loudspeakers. Another place that advertised re-coning replied that they didn't do it any more as it was "totally uneconomical". A mate tells me AR18s can go for £300+ so it will be interesting to see what these go for. That will set the break point for "economically repairable.

My father likes the "tone" of the speakers so it's worth try, but not at any price !

Mark

[BOONDI]

The fleabay set failed to sell at £90. The seller has relisted, starting at £90.
Some sellers dont get that a high start price is offputting.

Think your mate has exaggerated the price by quite a bit though...

Wilmslow recommend these for bass replacement/upgrade.
https://wilmslowaudio.co.uk/search?q=Sph+210

Or fleabay gets you a pair delivered from Germany for £175 total.....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MONACOR-S...edirect=mobile