Upgrading SBLs - DIY?
Posted by: tonym on 07 July 2003
I've decided to get my old active SBLs upgraded to the latest driver spec., which I understand involves changing the Mid/Base driver units (although I did read somewhere it was also the tweeters).
Anyway, my question is, why have you got to send the speakers away? It's extremely inconvenient, & means no sounds for a couple of weeks or more. Surely it would be possible to do this myself? It's not exactly rocket science, is it? or am I missing something here? I would appreciate anyone's thoughts & help on this.
Anyway, my question is, why have you got to send the speakers away? It's extremely inconvenient, & means no sounds for a couple of weeks or more. Surely it would be possible to do this myself? It's not exactly rocket science, is it? or am I missing something here? I would appreciate anyone's thoughts & help on this.
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Bosh
IIRC the bass/mid driver upgrade requires the cabinets to be re-routed for the driver perture to be made larger
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by JohanR
When I had SBL:s the dealer did the upgrade for me at my home. It involved:
- Unscrewing the old drivers.
- Enlarging the hole for the driver with a file (electriacal, but anyway)
- Changing the damping foam inside to new ones.
- Screwing the new drivers in place.
In the kit was also new silicon sealant and foam gaskets for the acoustic resistance thing, but they where ok and wasn't redone.
Anyone, even the once with the thumb in the middle of their hands could do this!
JohanR
- Unscrewing the old drivers.
- Enlarging the hole for the driver with a file (electriacal, but anyway)
- Changing the damping foam inside to new ones.
- Screwing the new drivers in place.
In the kit was also new silicon sealant and foam gaskets for the acoustic resistance thing, but they where ok and wasn't redone.
Anyone, even the once with the thumb in the middle of their hands could do this!
JohanR
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Claus
I did the change of bass-mid units myself, and in my case it wasn't necessary to enlarge the holes in the cabinets.
It was a quite simple process.
Claus
It was a quite simple process.
Claus
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by graphoman
I’ll get my SBL driver update kit plus new tweeters. As far as I know, some older items need the carpenter work but unfortunately, (says Naim Audio) there is no way to tell it from the serial number if our box has to be frased or not.
For the case the whole has to be re-cut, I’d glad if JohanR would kindly go into particulars, what tools of which measure is needed to do the job.
graphoman
For the case the whole has to be re-cut, I’d glad if JohanR would kindly go into particulars, what tools of which measure is needed to do the job.
graphoman
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by J.N.
Tony
I'm a great believer in getting a bricklayer to build a wall.
You have an excellent Naim dealer just south of Norwich - 'Basically Sound'
Take your middle boxes in there to be sent back to Naim and get it done properly. The correct torque/mastic etc: is essential to get them air-tight and right.
It's also worth having the tweeters replaced, if they're around eight years old or more. (I think the dealer can do this).
Apparently; its accumulation of household detritus, rather that use/abuse that degrades their performance.
Good luck.
I'm a great believer in getting a bricklayer to build a wall.
You have an excellent Naim dealer just south of Norwich - 'Basically Sound'
Take your middle boxes in there to be sent back to Naim and get it done properly. The correct torque/mastic etc: is essential to get them air-tight and right.
It's also worth having the tweeters replaced, if they're around eight years old or more. (I think the dealer can do this).
Apparently; its accumulation of household detritus, rather that use/abuse that degrades their performance.
Good luck.
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Stuart M
quote:
It's also worth having the tweeters replaced, if they're around eight years old or more. (I think the dealer can do this).
Apparently; its accumulation of household detritus, rather that use/abuse that degrades their performance.
So are you saying SBL drivers esp the tweeters need replacing every 8 years?
To err is human; to really foul it up requires a computer.
Posted on: 08 July 2003 by JohanR
Quote:
"For the case the whole has to be re-cut, I’d glad if JohanR would kindly go into particulars, what tools of which measure is needed to do the job."
I rephrase myself here. He used an electrical SANDING tool. It's only a couple of millimeters around the hole thats needs to be sanded so that the diameter increases enough for the new driver to fit. Sand until they fit.
Quote:
"Take your middle boxes in there to be sent back to Naim and get it done properly. The correct torque/mastic etc: is essential to get them air-tight and right."
That means one has to redo the seals for the acoustic resistance. Doing that correct IS essential to get them air-tight and right. My dealer said that screws should be torqued "hard, but not as hard as with Linn speakers"!
JohanR
"For the case the whole has to be re-cut, I’d glad if JohanR would kindly go into particulars, what tools of which measure is needed to do the job."
I rephrase myself here. He used an electrical SANDING tool. It's only a couple of millimeters around the hole thats needs to be sanded so that the diameter increases enough for the new driver to fit. Sand until they fit.
Quote:
"Take your middle boxes in there to be sent back to Naim and get it done properly. The correct torque/mastic etc: is essential to get them air-tight and right."
That means one has to redo the seals for the acoustic resistance. Doing that correct IS essential to get them air-tight and right. My dealer said that screws should be torqued "hard, but not as hard as with Linn speakers"!
JohanR
Posted on: 08 July 2003 by tonym
I might ultimately take your advice J.N., but I'm pretty proficient with tools, soldering etc. Enlarging the driver holes will be no problem at all. However, will Naim sell me the bits though?
Incidentally, if I do decide to send them away, what would happen if I substituted a pair of Bi-wireable KEF TDM one monitors with the link removed, could I run them in active mode?
Incidentally, if I do decide to send them away, what would happen if I substituted a pair of Bi-wireable KEF TDM one monitors with the link removed, could I run them in active mode?
Posted on: 08 July 2003 by graphoman
thank you. Tomorrow comes the thing from the custom, I’ll see whether it needs the carpenter work.
Regards,
graphoman
Regards,
graphoman
Posted on: 08 July 2003 by J.N.
Stuart
I can only tell you that the improvement of new tweeters in my 8 year old SBL's was clearly audible. A v.f.m. upgrade at a little over £100.
Tony
Naim will not sell you, or an approved dealer; bass/mid drivers. My dealer confirmed this today.
I can only tell you that the improvement of new tweeters in my 8 year old SBL's was clearly audible. A v.f.m. upgrade at a little over £100.
Tony
Naim will not sell you, or an approved dealer; bass/mid drivers. My dealer confirmed this today.
Posted on: 09 July 2003 by blythe
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
_Tony_
Naim will not sell you, or an approved dealer; bass/mid drivers. My dealer confirmed this today.
I suspect Naim will sell you and/or your dealer bass/mid drivers.
Refusing to do so is against the law!
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 09 July 2003 by Richard Dane
SBL mid/bass driver update kits can be purchased through any of our dealers or distributors. We recommend that they are either fitted by the dealer or that the mid/bass boxes are sent to us to have the update done.
Richard
Richard