Cbx2501987 Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Hi guys, ive got a pair of the electro voice interface c series ii that are suffering from the degraded foam issue. ive had a look online for foam replacement but don’t know whether to just get the foam surrounds or also the gaskets and other bits available in the kits. Any recommendations on how to proceed.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Can you provide a link to the kits in question? I’ve restored a few Electrovoice speakers in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cbx2501987 Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 https://qsr.net.au/brand/electro-voice-ev/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 If your just doing the woofers just get the surround foam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Cbx2501987 said: https://qsr.net.au/brand/electro-voice-ev/ From what I recall, the original drivers don't have the thick cardboard gaskets. In any case, this part of the driver frames are covered by trim rings: The main challenge with EV speakers featuring the 1.5" 'superdome' tweeter is the acoustic lens foams. The OEM replacement lenses (70534 inner and 70604 outer foams) are now discontinued (I managed to buy the last two pairs several years ago) and without the correct lens, the tweeter won't perform sonically as intended. The inner foam lense actually covers part of the tweeter, and simply applying damping to the outer portion of the tweeter does not suffice. Page 3 of this doc explains what the foam lens does, and thus why the speaker doesn't sound quite right without it: http://mypicsonline.net/archive/archives.telex.com/archives/EV/Speakers/EDS/Interface C EDS.pdf Speaker Exchange in the US have an aftermarket kit, but they themselves note that the density of the internal ring is not as per the original design, and that they only work for damping and cosmetic purposes: https://reconingspeakers.com/product/ev-replacement-electro-voice-tweeter-foam-lens-70534/ Some further pics of my old EVs showing the dual density foams and extent of tweeter foam overlap (i.e. you can see that the inner tweeter foam is glued to the ridge on the tweeter fascia and overlaps the dome), and some close-ups: Edited August 10, 2019 by pete_mac 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I wasn't aware you could get the "superdome" lens , I fabricated a five layer one myself . It does image properly and measure pretty well up to 15 kHz. How much do the replica's cost ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 1 hour ago, DEANO23 said: I wasn't aware you could get the "superdome" lens , I fabricated a five layer one myself . It does image properly and measure pretty well up to 15 kHz. How much do the replica's cost ? Based upon their website, it looks like they are USD $8 per piece, with an inner and outer required for each speaker, so $32 plus shipping. To to be honest, it’s a real shame that the replicas don’t use the correct density of foam to achieve the same sonic outcomes as the EV engineers intended. You can see the difference when comparing the photos of the replicas on their website vs the pics of the genuine items which I purchased above. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Based upon their website, it looks like they are USD $8 per piece, with an inner and outer required for each speaker, so $32 plus shipping. To to be honest, it’s a real shame that the replicas don’t use the correct density of foam to achieve the same sonic outcomes as the EV engineers intended. You can see the difference when comparing the photos of the replicas on their website vs the pics of the genuine items which I purchased above. It is a shame I had a pair of E.V Status 50's with the superdomes where one surround was good the other falling apart , I sold them thinking you couldn't get the correct stuff . Anyway I'm happy with what I came up with they sound good and image well . I also upgraded the caps inside 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Just now, DEANO23 said: 14 minutes ago, pete_mac said: Based upon their website, it looks like they are USD $8 per piece, with an inner and outer required for each speaker, so $32 plus shipping. To to be honest, it’s a real shame that the replicas don’t use the correct density of foam to achieve the same sonic outcomes as the EV engineers intended. You can see the difference when comparing the photos of the replicas on their website vs the pics of the genuine items which I purchased above. It is a shame I had a pair of E.V Status 50's with the superdomes where one surround was good the other falling apart , I sold them thinking you couldn't get the correct stuff . Anyway I'm happy with what I came up with they sound good and image well . I also upgraded the caps inside Cool - I also had a pair of the Interface 1 series II and they were great speakers. I’m not surprised that you like them! Good to hear you’ve done the caps too. Dad has a pair of Interface 2s or 3s with the passive radiator, and they are a good speaker too. That’s where my last set of original replacement tweeter foams went. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cbx2501987 Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 (edited) I got them for $100 which isn’t too bad considering. Is it safe to say they’re worth getting refoamed??,this model is supposed to have the external eq box but the seller didn’t know if it originally had one, the original owner passed away and im Assuming he was using a NAD 3300 to replicate some qualities of the eq box. the dust cap is huge is it better to align with shins via cap removal or the battery method for this woofer? deano I’m in Melbourne did you have any leftover of the foams you used to make your tweeter surrounds? Edited August 10, 2019 by Cbx2501987 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 20 minutes ago, Cbx2501987 said: I got them for $100 which isn’t too bad considering. Is it safe to say they’re worth getting refoamed??,this model is supposed to have the external eq box but the seller didn’t know if it originally had one, the original owner passed away and im Assuming he was using a NAD 3300 to replicate some qualities of the eq box. the dust cap is huge is it better to align with shins via cap removal or the battery method for this woofer? deano I’m in Melbourne did you have any leftover of the foams you used to make your tweeter surrounds? I'd suggest trying to find an EQ box in future - they have a low-pass filter as well as enhancing the bass response. Here's a pic of the rear of my old unit - note the writing on the rear: "THIS EQUALIZER ONLY FOR THE INTERFACE:A SERIES III, B SERIES III, OR C SERIES II SPEAKER SYSTEMS INDICATED ON FRONT PANEL The manual says: "Interface B series III and Interface C Series II use the same equaliser. Therefore, in a system set up for Interface B Series III, Interface C series IIs may be added to the same amplifier and will receive the proper frequency contouring. Not unexpectedly, the capabilities of other equalised Interface models are best realised by using the equaliser specifically designed for each system. The deviation from ideal depends on the particular model. The Interface A Series III is not endangered by the Interface B Series III equaliser as long as very low bass (around 30hz) at the highest listening level is avoided. Frequency response from the 40-80hz range will be depressed about 3/4dB and approximately twice normal power will be fed to the woofer below about 32hz. Interface D is not endangered by the Interface B Series III equaliser. However, response below about 28hz will be depressed about 3dB and response in the 40hz to 80hz range wil be emphasised by about 3/4dB." Re: refoaming the surrounds, I've always done them by feel, with a quick check via a battery to ensure there is no rubbing. No need to shim the EV drivers IMHO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, Cbx2501987 said: I got them for $100 which isn’t too bad considering. Is it safe to say they’re worth getting refoamed??,this model is supposed to have the external eq box but the seller didn’t know if it originally had one, the original owner passed away and im Assuming he was using a NAD 3300 to replicate some qualities of the eq box. the dust cap is huge is it better to align with shins via cap removal or the battery method for this woofer? deano I’m in Melbourne did you have any leftover of the foams you used to make your tweeter surrounds? I actually made mine I'll have a look but I do know that it took four to five layers , mine are pictured with the blue surrounds . There are different diameters on those super tweeters so you need to measure the diameter of the tweeter then the whole surface diameter . You won't believe this but I got mine free as long as I did restore them and post a picture to a girl whose grandfather had passed away . He owned them. I wasn't surprised they'd sound good , those woofers are really good . Yes I did mine by feel as well, it's important you put a low voltage input through them to align them . I wouldn't take the dust cover out , to me it would invite trouble replacing it. I'll look tomorrow if I have any surrounds Edited August 10, 2019 by DEANO23 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I haven't, I could make some at a modest fee but as I said those superdomes have different diameters and you'd have to accurately measure them . P.m. and I'll give you a phone no and discuss it e.g. method etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_mac Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 1 hour ago, DEANO23 said: I haven't, I could make some at a modest fee but as I said those superdomes have different diameters and you'd have to accurately measure them . P.m. and I'll give you a phone no and discuss it e.g. method etc Hi mate, re: the above, are you sure? All of the EVs with the Superdome tweeter that I’ve owned have featured the exact same tweeter with no variation in diameter or sizing. This is consistent with EV making only one set of replacement OEM foam tweeter surrounds and acoustic lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I'll measure mine you measure yours and the one with the biggest wins, lol. Now if you give the measurements just with a tape measure will do . I might be and hope I'm wrong I would hate to measure and cut 10 circles with 10 insides and then find out they are the wrong size. I use a heavy cloth with is layered with a viscous kind of glue that doesn't harden . I can get a black with the same kind of pattern . I thought I'd read in their history page that there was two different sizes , I know the magnet on mine is no where as heavy as the the two I sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cbx2501987 Posted August 11, 2019 Author Share Posted August 11, 2019 I will get that measurement soon, these are probably the heaviest speakers I’ve encountered, getting them into storage was a real pain- literally. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 I will get that measurement soon, these are probably the heaviest speakers I’ve encountered, getting them into storage was a real pain- literally. It's okay I can't get the same colour as mine I think at this stage anyway . But I did get a beautiful black almost blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheapdrinks Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 (edited) Hello, I thought I would add some info for you guys incase it helps. Firstly here is a detailed cutout view of the EV Superdome tweeter and a closeup of the original inner ring material. You can see from the diagram that there are more components than meets the eye; as well as the outer foam rings there is a foam damper directly behind the diaphragm which has likely perished over the years too. I have opened up a non-working superdome so you can see what kind of state yours is also likely to be in. If anyone is adventurous enough to attempt to replace this inner foam damper please let me know what material you have decided to use and what kind of results you have achieved. As yet I have not come across anyone who has attempted this but I guess there's a first time for everything. I would guess that it is made from the same material as the outer foam ring but that is purely speculation. I can't imagine it should be too hard to replace though. I'm thinking one of these foam microfoam ends cut to size would do the job . Perhaps if you stuffed on inside another one to fill out the middle that would help, then you would just need to cut the flat end down until it was a decent size. My guess would be 2mm longer than the gap between magnet assembly and diaphragm would be a good starting point so that there is a bit of pressure there but not too much. Secondly these tweeters also contain ferrofluid which is accessible by removing the 3 nuts and bolts on the back then carefully separating the magnet and voice coil. You will find the fluid in the circular crack of the magnet housing where the voice coil was previously contained. You can quite easily replace the old fluid with replacement fluid from parts express. You just need blotting paper to dip into the crack and soak up the old fluid first before topping up with the new stuff. It's also advisable to use iso-alcohol to carefully clean the voice coil of all old fluid as well. When removing the magnet, do it with the magnet on the top so that old insulating material particles (that crumbly yellow stuff) don't fall into the ferrofluid/voice coil housing. Something I have also been wondering about is a lot of these tweeters contain tape covering the rear hole. I have seen some both with and without this tape. Does anyone know what purpose it serves and if it is better to remove the tape or keep it in place? For the owner of the pair of Status 50s I have included the original catalogue pages for these speakers in-case you were interested. They are in German but most of the specs are readable. Also pictured is the brochure information for the "Edelstein" series of Electrovoice speakers made in switzerland which share similar drivers and have a similar design. I own the Opals, the Topas and the Status 50s and I have been researching these speakers for quite a while and am always on the lookout for other models from these Swiss made series to add to my collection. Edited August 15, 2019 by Cheapdrinks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Music monster Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 Just take them to total recoil in thornbury. The guy there is a expert on ev and he will repair and check them over, and get them back to working 100 percent. Gary the music monster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Music monster Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 3 hours ago, Cheapdrinks said: Hello, I thought I would add some info for you guys incase it helps. Firstly here is a detailed cutout view of the EV Superdome tweeter and a closeup of the original inner ring material. You can see from the diagram that there are more components than meets the eye; as well as the outer foam rings there is a foam damper directly behind the diaphragm which has likely perished over the years too. I have opened up a non-working superdome so you can see what kind of state yours is also likely to be in. If anyone is adventurous enough to attempt to replace this inner foam damper please let me know what material you have decided to use and what kind of results you have achieved. As yet I have not come across anyone who has attempted this but I guess there's a first time for everything. I would guess that it is made from the same material as the outer foam ring but that is purely speculation. I can't imagine it should be too hard to replace though. I'm thinking one of these foam microfoam ends cut to size would do the job . Perhaps if you stuffed on inside another one to fill out the middle that would help, then you would just need to cut the flat end down until it was a decent size. My guess would be 2mm longer than the gap between magnet assembly and diaphragm would be a good starting point so that there is a bit of pressure there but not too much. Secondly these tweeters also contain ferrofluid which is accessible by removing the 3 nuts and bolts on the back then carefully separating the magnet and voice coil. You will find the fluid in the circular crack of the magnet housing where the voice coil was previously contained. You can quite easily replace the old fluid with replacement fluid from parts express. You just need blotting paper to dip into the crack and soak up the old fluid first before topping up with the new stuff. It's also advisable to use iso-alcohol to carefully clean the voice coil of all old fluid as well. When removing the magnet, do it with the magnet on the top so that old insulating material particles (that crumbly yellow stuff) don't fall into the ferrofluid/voice coil housing. Something I have also been wondering about is a lot of these tweeters contain tape covering the rear hole. I have seen some both with and without this tape. Does anyone know what purpose it serves and if it is better to remove the tape or keep it in place? For the owner of the pair of Status 50s I have included the original catalogue pages for these speakers in-case you were interested. They are in German but most of the specs are readable. Also pictured is the brochure information for the "Edelstein" series of Electrovoice speakers made in switzerland which share similar drivers and have a similar design. I own the Opals, the Topas and the Status 50s and I have been researching these speakers for quite a while and am always on the lookout for other models from these Swiss made series to add to my collection. I owned a pair of topaz a very long time ago. Great to c this brochure. They were good speakers for the money, wish I had kept them . Gary the music monster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 19 minutes ago, Music monster said: Just take them to total recoil in thornbury. The guy there is a expert on ev and he will repair and check them over, and get them back to working 100 percent. Gary the music monster Is that Atilla business name ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Music monster Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 8 minutes ago, DEANO23 said: Is that Atilla business name ? I don’t think so. Boyd is the owner. The shop is total recoil.He’s repaired all problems I ever had with speakers at a good price to. Gary the music monster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 I don’t think so. Boyd is the owner. The shop is total recoil.He’s repaired all problems I ever had with speakers at a good price to. Gary the music monster [emoji445]Thanks Monster I eventually found the guy I was after after searching through about 100 posts . Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheapdrinks Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 13 hours ago, Music monster said: Just take them to total recoil in thornbury. The guy there is a expert on ev and he will repair and check them over, and get them back to working 100 percent. Gary the music monster I live in Sydney unfortunately. Anyone know a good EV specialist in my area? What are people's thoughts on The Speaker Hospital in Condell Park or Robin Gandevia at Dr Hifi in North Sydney? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Gale Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 I live in Sydney unfortunately. Anyone know a good EV specialist in my area? What are people's thoughts on The Speaker Hospital in Condell Park or Robin Gandevia at Dr Hifi in North Sydney?What do you need overhauled the tweeters woofers , crossovers or the lot . Also I pulled apart one of the tweeters with the view of repairing it . The foam inside wasn't dense looked like the stuff from the outer ring on the replacements. Long story short I thought you could buy a replacement diaphragm with all the bits you needed from speakerbits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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