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LWCM Introductory Contributor
Joined: 04 Oct 2018 Posts: 9
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 4:25 am Post subject: KEF 105.1 Refurbishment |
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Finally managed to sort out my "new" 105.1
Ordered the capacitors from Falcon Acoustics and managed to find a pair of T52. I wasnt sure if the distortion from one tweeter was bacause of the caps or a faulty tweeter.
Dismatled the speakers and removed the crossovers to do the recaping.
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/Whd9nA[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/Whd9nA
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/XyxZfO[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/XyxZfO
I then tried my best to sand down the cabinets to prepare for painting. This process was a pain as firstly the top of the bass cabinet had some glue and foam residue. Same for the plastic cover of the top cabinet. Secondly the wood was flaking at some parts of the top cabinet especially at areas where the metal grill covers are attached and also at the "window" of the Led lights. Every time I sand it, it flakes more. In the end I applied some super glue to prevent more flaking.
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/meNmOe[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/meNmOe
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/6o6b-p[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/6o6b-p
Next was the painting. I used a matt black paint. For the front cover of the bass cabinet I used a gloss laquer and for the rest of the cabinets I used a satin lacquer.
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/3XvhHB[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/3XvhHB
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/JjE0cS[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/JjE0cS
Next I also changed the Led lights as one was not working. Fixed back the crossovers and reassembled the cabinets and drivers.
Final results.
[img]https://pix.sfly.com/Xt7SXW[/img]
https://pix.sfly.com/Xt7SXW
Those portions which has flaked off previously I couldn't restore it to original condition so there are some indentations here and there on the top cabinet. I was told I needed to apply epoxy and slowly sand them? Well I was too tired after working on it for a week everyday after work. Maybe another time hahaha.
One thing I need some advice on. After recapping, I have the impression I lost some bass. I only played the speakers for a short while before working it as there was a distortion on one tweeter. But I thought I recalled the bass was stronger then. Any ideas?
Oh, the distortion was gone after the recap so I now have a pair of spare T52
*Somehow I cant attach the pics even when using [img][address][/img] method. |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent looking job, always nice to see classic speakers of that age looking good as new. Are the bass cabinets well sealed? Unpowered, pushing the coil of the B300 in gently by hand they should take about 5 seconds to slowly return to centre. |
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LWCM Introductory Contributor
Joined: 04 Oct 2018 Posts: 9
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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audiolabtower wrote: | Excellent looking job, always nice to see classic speakers of that age looking good as new. Are the bass cabinets well sealed? Unpowered, pushing the coil of the B300 in gently by hand they should take about 5 seconds to slowly return to centre. |
It doesn’t seems air tight using this test. |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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That might explain any bass difference? Check the baffle sealing foam strip, B300 sealing gasket, internal edges, speaker cable tube glueing, binding post mounting tightness etc etc? |
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LWCM Introductory Contributor
Joined: 04 Oct 2018 Posts: 9
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Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 1:46 am Post subject: |
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audiolabtower wrote: | That might explain any bass difference? Check the baffle sealing foam strip, B300 sealing gasket, internal edges, speaker cable tube glueing, binding post mounting tightness etc etc? |
Where can I get the sealing gaskets for the woofer? Anything I can use to replace? |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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Try 12in gaskets, or more easily I guess those windows sealing strips with the close cell foam. |
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LWCM Introductory Contributor
Joined: 04 Oct 2018 Posts: 9
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Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Done. Used the foam tape meant for sealing windows and doors. Viola. Got my bass back |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent. |
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LWCM Introductory Contributor
Joined: 04 Oct 2018 Posts: 9
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Has anyone use the sealing tape to ensure airtight seal fornthe mid range? Any effect? |
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speakerguru Über Contributor 1000+
Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 1192 Location: Green Hut, Tovil
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Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: KEF 105.1 Refurbishment |
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LWCM wrote: | *Somehow I cant attach the pics even when using [img][address][/img] method. | I think that may be because the url you used is a secure https one and pix.sfly.com requires you to login before releasing the image.
Nice job on the refurbing.
The MF crossover will include electrical high pass elements which would make the exact pre-filter acoustic LF response of the mid box less critical. |
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audiolabtower VIP Contributor 500+
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686
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Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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One point if you want to be ultra exacting. The bass cabinets originally had a thick layer of black foam on top, up to the level of the veneered sides. This was there to minimise midrange reflections from the B110 interfering with the forward sound. Unfortunately this foam rotted away after 20 years or so. When I refurbished mine I used a thin layer of plywood, just thick enough to accept a small staple, covered it with thick close cell foam, and covered the lot with black speaker cloth. It was pictured in an old thread here
http://www.hifiloudspeakers.info/speakertalk/viewtopic.php?t=1440&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 |
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LWCM Introductory Contributor
Joined: 04 Oct 2018 Posts: 9
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Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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I didn’t put back any foam on top. I just put a layer of cork between the the base of the top cabinet and the bass cabinet |
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Mind_Drive Junior Contributor 10+
Joined: 07 Oct 2015 Posts: 16 Location: Glasgow, Scotland
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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LWCM wrote: | I didn’t put back any foam on top. I just put a layer of cork between the the base of the top cabinet and the bass cabinet |
I have found this to be a most effective way to improve the 105. Articulation of rhythm and greater clarity were the benefits I noticed. Muddiness or inarticulate sound in the lower midrange was diminished. A very worthwhile and cheap upgrade. |
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