Thoughts on extending speaker life.


For those of us who own speakers that are past a few years old, and those same speakers utilize dynamic drivers, what are your thoughts on extending the life of the rubber surround ( assuming that your driver utilizes this kind of design).
In general, as the driver ages, the likelihood of the rubber surround failing increases. Without actually replacing the driver ( not possible in some instances) what do you suggest to extend the life of the driver(s), if anything?

For those with other types of driver design, what are your concerns about the extended usage of this kind of driver as it ages?

128x128daveyf

Showing 3 responses by phusis

@daveyf --

For those with other types of driver design, what are your concerns about the extended usage of this kind of driver as it ages?

I’m not concerned, really, but I’m invested in this subject nonetheless. My speakers are all-horn loaded using compression drivers for the midrange and tweeter, and a (hidden) 15" bass driver with treated accordion cloth surround in a folded horn. None of these drivers are directly visible (only the exit area of the compression drivers via fine-masked grilles), and so their diaphragms and surrounds aren’t exposed to light - not even the bass driver, which is situated behind a some 3x13" slot (its exit area into the folded horn). Treated cloth surrounds at the end of paper cones, even when exposed to light, usually last decades, and the Mylar and paper composite material of the tweeter and midrange drivers respectively should have close to indefinite lifespan. All things considered (including cross-over components, cabinetry, etc.) I would expect my speakers to perform immaculately (way) past 30 years, quite comfortably.

If anything it seems to me regular use of one’s speakers is the best way to actually preserve them, and in your specific case I wouldn’t worry about the rubber surround of the of bass/midrange driver. Try to avoid them being exposed to direct sunlight, and with rather normal atmospheric conditions, humidity and no severe temperature variations (other than what normally occurs when opening windows and such), I gather you should have decades of trouble-free service from your beautifully crafted, well-engineered and high-quality speakers.
@johnk --

To keep my 80 -50 year old speakers working well I play them and keep them dry and out of the sun

Wouldn't you say regular (certainly weekly) use of one's speakers, apart from other named factors, is a vital part in keeping them "up to speed" over time? It seems to me an overlooked aspect in the discussion of how to favorably maintain the performance of speakers through many years. 
@tlinkie --

Will speakers last longer if they're used only occasionally? I have so many and I don't use some of them much at all. Is this a way of making them last? In my case I'm thinking more of parts like crossover caps and such. 

On the contrary; using them regularly I believe is beneficial to overall speaker performance and -longevity, as I suggested earlier in this thread. Cross-over parts don't degrade with use, but because of time (although it seems quality components can last decades and still maintain specs) - that is, unless they're glowing hot from each playback-workout. Poster @johnk summarized the matter succinctly above.