Audio Speakers - Repair of a Blown Speaker or Fatigued Driver or When Replacement is Better

Almost every individual listens to music at some time; some more than others. However, most users of audio equipment have a limited understanding of how audio speakers physically work. When a speaker becomes damaged the majority of people will just assume that the damaged speaker is now a piece of trash and dispose of the unit in favor of spending more money on a new pair of speakers. There is a more inexpensive alternative to throwing away what may be an easily repairable piece of audio equipment.

There are several ways a speaker can become damaged. The most frequent damage sustained is what is termed a blown speaker. Symptoms of a blown speaker can be no sound being produced or a clipping type of distortion. The frame, also called the basket of the speaker, can be permanently bent if the speaker has received an impact as from being dropped. The speaker can become fatigued through heavy use. Speaker fatigue will affect the clarity or crispness of the sound. On rare occasions the cone may have developed a split due to age or a stray and random object piercing the cone.

There are definitely times when repairing a speaker is the best alternative. Pro audio drivers can easily run into the multi-thousand dollar range, but the majority of music listeners are most likely not have invested that much in a set of speakers. Basic bookshelf speakers, those which come pre-packaged with a stereo amplifier or no name speakers will not be worth repairing.

A general rule is the larger the speaker; the more expensive it will be to replace. For those music aficionados who have invested a sizeable chunk of change to obtain good quality speakers, repairing a speaker is often much more inexpensive than replacing the damaged speaker. Floor speakers and professional audio amp speakers usually fall into this category.

The physical components which can be replaced or serviced by a very patient and attentive amateur are the gasket, cone assembly/surround, diaphragm, spider and voice coil. Again, if the basket has become bent then repair will not be possible. There are re-coning services for those many individuals who do not have the fortitude and curiosity to effect repairs. Many of these repair companies will also sell just the speaker repair kits for those individuals who can repair the speakers.

Oftentimes it will be possible to exceed the original factory specifications. It is important to keep in mind, however, that if one speaker is being repaired with different materials from the original; the companion speaker should be serviced as well in order to maintain even sound integrity across the board.

For additional information on the topic of speaker repair visit Midwest Speaker Repair. Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Midwest Speaker Repair. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.