Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 1
It is an undeniable fact that the best sounding material for loudspeaker suspension is compressed
foam, it is evenly compliant across a wide range of movement and affect the sound of the driver far
less than rubber and other less perishable materials, so it is an unavoidable part of a quality
loudspeaker, it only down side is that, depending on environment and climate, it will perish and start
hardening after 8 – 12 years. In the tropics it may lst as little as 6 years, in a temperate climate
probably closer to 15 years, however do not dispair, if your speakers’ foam has developed into dust
help is at hand, and it is neither expensive nor terribly difficult to replace the foam and revitalise the
sound of your speakers’ to as new condition, here is how!
Picture 1 above & picture 2, 3, 4 and 5 below,
The pictures in the sequel shows a basic procedure for how to replace the perished foam surround
on any of Audio Note’s AN-K, AN-J or AN-E loudspeakers and applies broadly also to the Snell Type K,
Type J and Type E models and probably most other speakers where the foam has perished as long as
the replacement foam surround is the correct type and size, the pictures shows a driver that has
been removed from its cabinet, this is not necessary in many cases and it is actually easier to change
the surround with the driver in situ in the cabinet.
Audio Note™ is happy to supply anyone with a foam surround for the purpose of replacing perished
foam surrounds on older speaker models, we do recommend that unless you are confident that you
can perform this task without problem you seek support before damaging the woofer, which will
require a complete replacement of the driver itself.
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Whilst we are happy to advice on all matter relating to our products, it must be understood that we
cannot be responsible for mistakes or damage caused by anyone trying to follow this set of
instructions.
Whether you have removed the driver from the cabinet or it is still in situ the procedure is the same,
make a break in the foam and gently peel it off the paper cone as shown on the pictures without
tearing the cone itself, if the foam is very brittle you may need to use a very sharp knife or scalpel to
gently remove all remnants of the old foam from both paper cone and the metal basket.
Picture 2
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 3
Picture 4
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 5
Picture 6
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 7
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 8
Pictures 6 – 8 show the final process of completely moving the old foam, the fully stripped cone and
basket, make sure you clean off any remnants of the old foam before putting a very thin line of glue
around the basket to secure the new foam surround.
We recommend using the same glue used to repair old bicycle tyre tubes, it is available almost
anywhere in the world, it much be used sparingly though, as if used to excess will melt the new foam
surround, which will stiffen the foam and affect the woofer’s performance.
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 9
After making a thin circle of glue around the inside rim of the basket and the out side rim of the
paper cone, then carefully place the new foam surround around the inside rim of the metal basket
to meet the glue.
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 10
Secure the outside of the foam to the rim of the basket then “connect” the circle of glue on the
paper cone to the new foam, to retain the performance of the driver, especially in AN and Snell
models where the drivers are matched to the crossover, sitting the foam exactly where the old foam
was is essential to achieve comparable to “new” performance.
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
Picture 11
It is actually not as hard as it sounds when you read this, the cone tends to try to centre by itself,
which makes the job easier in most cases.
Woofer Foam Surround Replacement Procedure for Audio Note™ AN-K, AN-J & AN-E
Speaker Models
The finished result, indistinguishable from the new unit, job well done, back to listening to music and
running the drivers in again!
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