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RDL Acoustics F-1 speaker rebuild


EWC

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I've got a well loved pair of RDL F-1 speakers. One of the drivers has developed a tear on the foam surround. I was considering having the speaker repaired, or if impractical, replace the entire unit with a new driver. Can anyone offer suggestions as to where I might get what I have repaired, and if not, what might be some good alternatives? If I could come up with the original specs on the driver it would make selecting a replacement much easier. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

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welcome to the CSP

Those are some really nice and rather rare speakers. If you have not already seen it, here is the RDL brochure:

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/allison/rdl_acoustics/rdl_acoustics_brochure/

You can easily re-foam the speakers yourself if you are at all handy and patient. MSound is a good source. Here is a link to his site, expalaining how to refoam. He also has directions on taking measurements to get the correct kit. There should be a link to his eBay store, and you can email for help.

http://www.citlink.net/~msound/refoam/

If you don't think you can handle it yourself, google Millersound. It is run by Bill LeGall and he does excellent work. Or look in the Library section of this forum, under "Links" you will find Carl's Custom Speakers. Carl refoams speakers and his work has been praised by members here. Bill is in PA, Carl is in CT. They are probably the 2 best choices.

No need to replace the drivers unless there is other damage, and you will probably never get a perfect match.

Oh--one more thing. BOTH speakers have to be refoamed. If the other one has not deteriorated yet, it will.

Good luck. Come back with any questions.

Kent

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It seems that Most of the RDL /RA Labs products are pretty rare. I've seen a couple here and there but in a flash they are usually gone and once it sells, you never see it again. such is the case with the F-1 ( I actually paid for a pair that a guy had in Chicago, Later that day he refunded me claiming that his roommate sold the speakers locally while he was out) which was fine. That's what I get for being greedy since about a week earlier I found and purchased a pair of RDL S-1. My guess is that the S-1, F-1, and B-1 are very close in performance, yet were designed with different placement options in mind. Either way. They sound great. I'm not sure if pics are allowed here but if so, you should definitely post a few.

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@Kent,

I tried the link you posted about re-foaming the drivers, and it wad a dud. I called Millersound and the person I spoke with advised that Parts Express should have the replacement foam. I'm dumb enough to try re-foaming them myself, so I'll order the kit and take a stab. If I screw it up, Parts Express said they can either fix my mess, or re-cone them if necessary. Thanks for the encouragement.

@Bostown,

I may be the guy the roomate sold the speakers to. He said there was someone interested out east, but I had cash in hand at the time, so there you go....

Small world isn't it.

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sorry

I just clicked the link and it worked fine

try cut & paste:

http://www.citlink.net/~msound/refoam/

or try his ebay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/M-Sound

PE has generic foam, which I suppose will work, but the instructions, kit and custom fit from MSound is really good. And you should NOT have to recone the speakers!

Kent

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@Bostown,

I may be the guy the roommate sold the speakers to. He said there was someone interested out east, but I had cash in hand at the time, so there you go....

Small world isn't it.

That would have been a while back ( possibly a year or so, give or take a couple of months). If that's the same pair, it really is a small world. It was one of those out of state craigslist negotiations that just went all kinds of wrong. I was seriously annoyed back when it happened. (only mild mental scarring remains - as I've repeated this story via posts a few times) It was probably for the best. I had ( and still have) no place for them. Certainly, I could make some other stuff go away but that's no fun either. Recently I saw a pair of speakers on auction that were a dead ringer for the RDL S-1 called "blockhead" by a company called Glen monitor. - The price was high, they needed re-foaming and I needed no more projects so despite the curiosity It all spelled PASS!

What are you planning on powering them with once you have them back 100% healthy and play-ready?

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