#1
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Do speakers die of old age?
Do speakers die of old age and need to be replaced? I have a pair of B&W 802D speakers that have served me well since I got them(they are some of the first ones that were delivered after they were introduced). The reason for the question is that the mid range Kevlar speakers have change color over the years. They have become much darker and I am concerned that they have or may become brittle in the future. Would it be advisable to replace them now.
Thanks Eds
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2 Channel - Esoteric KO3, VPI Classic, C2300, MS300, MEN220, Bryston 7b SST, B&W 802D, JL F113 (2), MDA 1000, Olive 4HD, Sonos w/Remedy, WW Silver Eclipse ICs , Stillpoints Ultra mini, MR85 tuner, Aurender A10 server Headphone listening - Audeze LCD3 with Moon Audio Black Dragon Balanced cables, Sennheiser HD650, WW silver Eclipse Nano cable, Bryston BHA-1 amp HT - MX135, OPPO 103D, B&W CDM7, B&W center, Sony 65" LCD |
#2
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Everything dies of old age given enough time.
I am sure there are outfits out there that offer repair and reconing services for B&W as well as other brand speakers. Not all manufacturers offered replacement parts but I am sure there are solutions out there. A quick google search returned a few hits on B&W repair shops so they are out there. |
#3
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Quote:
I have older speakers then you, 802N and I play them all the time. No colour change. Sometimes they get played somewhat loud and all is fine. |
#4
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Rocking a pair of 802 Matrix S3 here. No signs of them slowing down. :P
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#5
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I have a pair of 803D1s that have also had the color shift. Some time ago I contacted B&W about the shift and their reply said the change in color is normal. That was probably back when the D1s were still the speakers they were selling.
I have been using the 803D1s since I bought them. They are in my HT right. I can't tell that the darkening has any effect on performance. |
#6
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I have 2 pairs of Thiels that I use that are 20 to 25 years old and they sound great. I am sure capacitors are probably not up to original spec and ferro fluid in the tweeters might need tweakiing. But they still move me greatly so I will play them till they die.
But to the point above everything electronically dies eventually.
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Main System Basis 2200 Signature/Vector 4/Transfiguration Proteus Ortofon Cadenza Black Allnic H3000/CJ ET5/Mcintosh 501's Thiel CS3.6 Thiel CS6 MIT EVO 2 IC Straightwire Maestro II SC Shunyata Denali SV2 Shunyata Sigma XC Wywires Juice PC’s Kubala Sosna PC’s Dedicated 20 amp lines Porter Ports Arcici Ref Suspense Stand Rives acoustically designed room Shore House Basis 1400 Signature/Hadcock 228/Ortofon Jubilee ARC PH 5/Meridian 200/Meridian 263 DAC CJ Premier 14/Classe CA200/Thiel 3.6 Wywires Silver IC/Stereolab Diablo SC/MIT Z cord II |
#7
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Even Carbon based units perish.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#8
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Not my thing, but? Know a few folks who are running Klipsch or other horn speakers, from the VERY late 1950's, or so, with ZERO repairs since that time. Know even more folks with JBL speakers from the late 1960's, that have NEVER been touched, but used almost daily.
Only things that typically die or degrade badly (other than under extreme use) within 20 or 30 years might be foam surrounds, or electrolytic caps. Oh - any maybe the adhesive on Magnepans - that was/is surely an issue. |
#9
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We have 5 B&W 805 matrix ~ 1988 are great. We have used them continuously. We also have 4 800 ASW subwoofers. Occasionally one will get a buzz. Last time to the repair shop where one had the cone re-taped the tech said I had better get them all re-taped soon as it is much cheaper to re-tape before a cone tears. Like $150 Before versus $500 After. So number two and three are in for re-taping now.
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George Main: Aurender W20SE music streamer, ARC REF 9SE DAC / CD, Linn LP 12, Koetsu Rosewood SignCartrige, ARC REF 3 Phono Stage, ARC REF 6SE Preamp, ARC 160s amp, Sonus Faber Amati Traditional Speakers,Transparent Ultra IC & SC Library:Aurender N100, Ayre QB9 2020 DAC, Woo WA5-LE amp upgraded tubes, Focal Utopia HP, Sennheiser 800s HP, LCD HP. |
#10
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Ppp
Besides the obvious mechanical stress, wear and tear on the drivers, capacitors will degrade over time. They are typically considered failed at 25% drift but can degrade worse than that. If a speaker plays music after 25 years, chances are it’s not the same voice it had when it was a youngster
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