Sonus Faber replacement drivers.... Err

[Johnny nocash]

A few months ago the mid/bass driver one of my SF Electas speakers conked out. I think it was the voice coil which I believe can't be rewound.
The replacement is extortionate, over £1K for one! (Dynaudio MF180SF)
My temptation is to swap the 6" drivers in both speakers for another type ... heresy I know, but otherwise these speakers are just gonna sit here doin' nowt which is just as bad.
I know the existing crossover is critical.
Does any anyone have any ideas?

[Light Dependant Resistor]

The Peerless driver here: http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Peerless_HDS830860.htm
is a 5 inch which looks physically close to the one in your Sonus Fabers The sonus fabers
appear to have a secondary cover disguising the actual driver dimension. The 830860 also gets lots of
recommendations as a excellent loudspeaker driver.

i would review the Peerless range https://www.tymphany.com/peerless-application-notes/?lang=en
and measure up the aperture with your existing driver removed ( as I think its actually a 5 inch ) to see what will match.
Prices are typically 1/17th of the figure you quoted for a pair.

[fatmarley]

Are you sure it's not possible to get it repaired? I had bad luck with Wembley loudspeakers but there are others that can repair drivers.

When you design a speaker, the first thing you do is measure the t/s parameters and model a box that's the correct size and port tuning frequency (assuming ported). So you'd need to find a driver that not only fits the opening, but will work in that particular box. Assuming the existing tweeter will work with your new driver, the crossover would also need to be completely redesigned. To design a crossover properly can take months.

[simon g]

Or perhaps look for a cheap second hand pair which are cosmetically challenged and swap drives over? I had been thinking of buying some SF Cremonas recently, but decided against it when I repeatedly read of driver problems and the enormous cost to replace.

[Pharos]

If you particularly love the speakers, getting another pair as Simon says seems sensible, also they will provide 'backup' should another problem occur.

[Johnny nocash]

Thanks for the responses gentlemen. The prospect of finding new drivers albeit cheaper seems a tad daunting bearing in mind the points made by Fatmarley.
On the other hand buying a second pair is equally traumatising as the last couple of sales on eBay have been £1k & £1.4k.

Interesting that you mention Wembley loudspeakers Matt because it was they who said the Electas couldnt be repaired. Could you tell me which company/person you had more success with? Was it Sonus Faber speakers that you needed to repair?
Cheers

[ovlov854]

You could consult Wimslow Audio. I know that they have worked on repairing SF in the past. They are usually busy and therefore not the fastest

[Spectral Morn]

Let me guess AS attempting to shove their arm way in again?

Try and buy from the maker of the driver and not through AS.

[Spectral Morn]

You could consult Wimslow Audio. I know that they have worked on repairing SF in the past. They are usually busy and therefore not the fastest

But decent people by reputation who won't try and fleece you.

[Johnny nocash]

[QUOTE=Try and buy from the maker of the driver and not through AS.[/QUOTE]

I did contact Dynaudio Neil, but was informed that they no longer have any stock. Their current equivalent would not be suitable. The only ones available are from Sonus Faber who's dealership is ....... Absolute Sounds

[fatmarley]

Interesting that you mention Wembley loudspeakers Matt because it was they who said the Electas couldnt be repaired. Could you tell me which company/person you had more success with? Was it Sonus Faber speakers that you needed to repair?
Cheers

Sorry I can't remember. I just know that someone recommended a company that does a good job of driver repairs. It was probably a thread on pinkfishmedia, so may be worth asking over there.

[simon g]

Thanks for the responses gentlemen. The prospect of finding new drivers albeit cheaper seems a tad daunting bearing in mind the points made by Fatmarley.
On the other hand buying a second pair is equally traumatising as the last couple of sales on eBay have been £1k & £1.4k.

Interesting that you mention Wembley loudspeakers Matt because it was they who said the Electas couldnt be repaired. Could you tell me which company/person you had more success with? Was it Sonus Faber speakers that you needed to repair?
Cheers

Not sure if these are your model, but they finished at £560 odd on ebay. Worth looking out for.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264236176740?ViewItem=&item=264236176740

[Johnny nocash]

Not sure if these are your model, but they finished at £560 odd on ebay. Worth looking out for.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264236176740?ViewItem=&item=264236176740

Don't remind me Simon, I was watching them & missed the end of auction��. I've not seen any go that cheap. The prices I quoted earlier were for two that were buy it now.... just too expensive.

[ovlov854]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264385876976?ul_noapp=true

On the right thread this time

[Johnny nocash]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264385876976?ul_noapp=true

On the right thread this time

Thanks Martin, I have made contact with the seller.
If anyone looks at the link could you offer an a possible cause of the distortion to the rubber surrounds.
Cheers

[walpurgis]

If anyone looks at the link could you offer an a possible cause of the distortion to the rubber surrounds.
Cheers

Poor storage, probably somewhere too warm. Looks like the cones are warped as well. I'm not sure I'd buy those personally.

[Discopants]

The translation is this:

Sonus Faber MW-180-SF woofer pair for Electa Amator diffuser first series. The drivers are in good condition, fully functional. Imperfections are present on the suspension (see pictures) more on a woofer, much less on the other that do not affect the full functionality. Direct collection with cash payment is possible in the Milan area, in the case of shipping I guarantee a courier-proof packaging.

One of the cones looks badly warped but the other one does appear to be a lot better. Maybe if you asked for better pictures of the good one it might be worth a punt on one.... for the money.






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Johnny nocash]

I agree that the right hand one looks better gents. Originally I thought that the rubber surround distortion was creating the 'illusion' that the cone was warped but the more I look at it....
The seller who runs a seemingly well respected shop informed me that he had bought the last pair of woofers that Sonus Faber had. I think these are the drivers that were replaced.

[Discopants]

Thinking about it, surely it has to be the cones deformed and that is the root of it. This cascades into the surrounds looking deformed.

The rubber in the surrounds should be soft , there is no reason for the rubber to deform like that is there.... ?

Its far less distortion on the right cone but still i cant help thinking that its not going to be satisfactory..

Is it possible for you to buy these though and someone can make a repair using your cones, new surrounds and the voice coils from one or both of these ??




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk