Ive been inside and its dark in there: Isobarik internals B110 news etc
Posted by: Ian R on 09 May 2002
Hello there.It all began at 6.30 this morning getting up feeding the self and the other animals before loading the 'bricks into the car ( not a trabant though Gert!) and off to breakfast with Linn ex export manager who I met in his bath robe with his delightful kids prancing about their breakfast table with mum trying to shepherd them into the car some 12 miles away. This house has external loudspeakers which activated as I got near the patio, stereo of course, lots of fun.
In for herb tea whilst the important people were dealt with. Then to work within 2 minutes the verdict, they all had to come out bar the bass units. So there and then still in the car out they came within say 15 minutes ...... except of course one......... theres always one ........ one sodding daft spigot in one corner of one midrange, however Im here to tell that after some 2 hours of hacksawing with only 7 teeth of the saw engaging due to space limits I broke the little bleeper off and removed my last B110.
They had been sealed in an unusually thorough manner apparently not brown mastic but black rubbery stuff. tweeter removal is a doddle compared to mid range but pulling off the foam surround does make the differrence,,,, it didnt even seem to damage or distort the rubber or the cone if done gently and carefully so if you are really stuck and have to get them out thats the way, then you use a claw hammer to just keep applying a lift and up they'll come.
I have seen the inside of my speakers and know it wont be too long before they are all sealed up and givin it the boogy again.
So I have lived to tell the tale of my exertions and much kindness and help on the way, (thanks very much you know who you are), after nearly 3 daze and knights on the internet and phone i have found a few reconers here in the UK and in Europe who'll do the job for between £25 and £40 per unit. with transport etc it generally works out much of a muchness.
I have spoken to KEF ( helpful ) Wilmslow (helpful but perhaps too gung ho for this person about their Monacor replacement unit for the B110, but they say no one has ever complained about the replacement), Falcon Acoustics helpful when asked ( where the designer of the B110 works /directs the Falcon firm, one Mr Jones), Linn Shop in Glasgow ( a mine of info and very helpful), Linn Factory, (helpful but no mid units tweeters at £69!, and of course "new grilles at £200 are available".... all contributions towards my grille fund will receive my undying gratitude amongst other benefits... like advice where to get replacement units!)
Let me see who else, 3 or 4 US reconers who dont work with the KEF units at all, but via them I did find Frode Østensen <b-m-w@online.no> who has worked with the B110 before in Rodgers LS35a monitors etc whose prices are reasonable and who has been most helpful.
Spare Scanspeak tweeters from a Shehanian Dealer at a lovely price to low to share really....however the Scanspeak is probably still made in Denmark so i could have searched there for them if needed. My wife is Danish. Mr Shehanian himself was influenced by the 'bricks in his thinking but i am advised doesn't rate the later HiQuphon tweeter at all something about a hopeless Q factor and daft horn/throat. Ah the old horny throat.... ahem... oh yes where was I?
....er....... the rumour that KEF may begin to remake B110 took 2 steps forward and 1 step backward. The firm that bought much of Rodgers stock after the collapse is called Sterling Broadcast they need 2-300 B110's and are hoping to persuade KEF this is a cost effective reason to begin remaking them. Wilmslow Audio say the same. Falcon & KEF say it isnt likely...... so if you need these units get onto KEF and tell 'em.
There is more to say but selfishly Im holding back so i can be at the front of any queue and if all goes well with my reconing I'll let you know where I chose to go.
You know the funny thing is the speakers were still delivering an amazing sound and still amaze most people who have heard em.
Perhaps details of the inside of the cabinets if anyone need to know.... I'll give you a clue a very thin longish arm would be a great thing to access the crossover.........
Yours more relaxedly now the open sesame deed is done
Ian
In for herb tea whilst the important people were dealt with. Then to work within 2 minutes the verdict, they all had to come out bar the bass units. So there and then still in the car out they came within say 15 minutes ...... except of course one......... theres always one ........ one sodding daft spigot in one corner of one midrange, however Im here to tell that after some 2 hours of hacksawing with only 7 teeth of the saw engaging due to space limits I broke the little bleeper off and removed my last B110.
They had been sealed in an unusually thorough manner apparently not brown mastic but black rubbery stuff. tweeter removal is a doddle compared to mid range but pulling off the foam surround does make the differrence,,,, it didnt even seem to damage or distort the rubber or the cone if done gently and carefully so if you are really stuck and have to get them out thats the way, then you use a claw hammer to just keep applying a lift and up they'll come.
I have seen the inside of my speakers and know it wont be too long before they are all sealed up and givin it the boogy again.
So I have lived to tell the tale of my exertions and much kindness and help on the way, (thanks very much you know who you are), after nearly 3 daze and knights on the internet and phone i have found a few reconers here in the UK and in Europe who'll do the job for between £25 and £40 per unit. with transport etc it generally works out much of a muchness.
I have spoken to KEF ( helpful ) Wilmslow (helpful but perhaps too gung ho for this person about their Monacor replacement unit for the B110, but they say no one has ever complained about the replacement), Falcon Acoustics helpful when asked ( where the designer of the B110 works /directs the Falcon firm, one Mr Jones), Linn Shop in Glasgow ( a mine of info and very helpful), Linn Factory, (helpful but no mid units tweeters at £69!, and of course "new grilles at £200 are available".... all contributions towards my grille fund will receive my undying gratitude amongst other benefits... like advice where to get replacement units!)
Let me see who else, 3 or 4 US reconers who dont work with the KEF units at all, but via them I did find Frode Østensen <b-m-w@online.no> who has worked with the B110 before in Rodgers LS35a monitors etc whose prices are reasonable and who has been most helpful.
Spare Scanspeak tweeters from a Shehanian Dealer at a lovely price to low to share really....however the Scanspeak is probably still made in Denmark so i could have searched there for them if needed. My wife is Danish. Mr Shehanian himself was influenced by the 'bricks in his thinking but i am advised doesn't rate the later HiQuphon tweeter at all something about a hopeless Q factor and daft horn/throat. Ah the old horny throat.... ahem... oh yes where was I?
....er....... the rumour that KEF may begin to remake B110 took 2 steps forward and 1 step backward. The firm that bought much of Rodgers stock after the collapse is called Sterling Broadcast they need 2-300 B110's and are hoping to persuade KEF this is a cost effective reason to begin remaking them. Wilmslow Audio say the same. Falcon & KEF say it isnt likely...... so if you need these units get onto KEF and tell 'em.
There is more to say but selfishly Im holding back so i can be at the front of any queue and if all goes well with my reconing I'll let you know where I chose to go.
You know the funny thing is the speakers were still delivering an amazing sound and still amaze most people who have heard em.
Perhaps details of the inside of the cabinets if anyone need to know.... I'll give you a clue a very thin longish arm would be a great thing to access the crossover.........
Yours more relaxedly now the open sesame deed is done
Ian
A fine read - thanks!
Bet you wish you had one of these!
Dremel.com
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
quote:
however Im here to tell that after some 2 hours of hacksawing with only 7 teeth of the saw engaging due to space limits I broke the little bleeper off and removed my last B110.
Bet you wish you had one of these!
Dremel.comRico - SM/Mullet Audio