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  3. 182742-171300

How long do speakers last?

I ask because I have an opportunity to buy a pair of Von Schweikert VR-33's for an insanely good price. I get it: "it depends how hard they have been driven", but judging by the condition they were very nicely taken care of. My only concern is that will need repairs in the future whereas I could just spend that money on new speakers. On the other hand they sound fantastic. Just curious about the lifespan. They'd be a nice upgrade from my Klipsch bookshelves / sub combo.

mucker

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,243 posts
 

nice review here

 

My speaker's drivers were made in 1958.

I have re-coned the 15" woofers 3 times over the years

The tweeter horns and mid horn are both impregnated linen, essentially indestructable, the voice coils do not burn out

The crossover is elements buried in a tar filled can. I found someone who makes modern crossovers for many speakers, he knew mine, and said if working, don't replace them.

I have had to replace my L-Pads, 2 each side, I neeeded to find 16 ohm.

I also have a set of spare drivers, for the next generation.

I moved my innards to new enclosures, but yours are special with sand filled cavities, rear tweeter, ... The grille cloth may be weak from age, is not normally removable, but there must be info on the web.

If the speakers, both or one, was located near a heat outlet, that side drivers, especially the woofer lower near heat vents.

I would contact the maker and perhaps buy spare drivers now.

Upgrade ideas must be out there, perhaps you will be modifying the crossover

elliottbnewcombjr
5,243 posts
 

for others considering very old speakers:

Many very old woofers, like my electro voice 15W (16 ohm), (and the Klipschorn variation of that woofer) had pleated fabric edges as the flexible material to allow movement of the cone.

Replacement cone must be that pleated fabric edge type: a complete surround/cone/coil/dust cap kit (very rare these days); or a replacement woofer ready to go.

I suggest checking the woofer details and availability of replacement parts/drivers before you buy a speaker with no parts/drivers available. Replacing woofer cones, or drivers, you want to replace both sides, so consider that when finding/buying replacements.

Yes, you can substitute a modern available driver of similar specs, so it’s not a dead end, just know first.

I just checked min on hifishark, no surround kits or 15w woofers available world wide.

Substitute woofer, 16 ohm ideally, but 8 ohm can be used, a slight change to frequency response  will occur from the crossover(not really critical compared to giving up)

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