SpeakerTalk

kevd · Junior Contributor 10+ Joined: 07 Dec 2019 Posts: 16

Well it came time that my 105's I bought new in 1996 needed an overhaul and I started researching what was needed and dove in. Coincidentally an earlier vintage pair came up for sale locally with all original packing from the original owner and it was inflicted with the same issues so I bought them and used these as my learning vehicle. Wanted to share some images of the progress and end result. I have two beautiful pairs now, just waiting for my wife to ask when I'm selling them! Lol

The bodies

Getting old sucks

The body shop

Time for an oil change

Good to go

New life

New seals

Grill damage

Sounding awesome

Looking good

All together

speakerguru · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2020 6:17 pm Post subject:

Great. Very nice work. You must be very pleased.

kevd · Junior Contributor 10+ Joined: 07 Dec 2019 Posts: 16

SG, yes I love projects like this, just never any time. I've been burning midnight oil to get these done, literally. I did the same for a friend last week on his 105's, he was blown away by what they became. You don't notice the degradation over time, like eyesight I guess, you just get used to it.
Thanks

RR105-3 · Intermediate Contributor 25+ Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

audiolabtower · VIP Contributor 500+ Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686

Very nice work indeed. I'm shocked by the state of the foam surrounds, would Kef have used them if they had known at the time how bad the degradation would progress?

RR105-3 · Intermediate Contributor 25+ Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

audiolabtower · VIP Contributor 500+ Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 686

I think they wanted efficiency, hence low mass, with as low a resonance as possible, hence paper and foam. Lessons must have been learnt as time went on and perhaps the foam now is treated for a longer lifetime.
For sure if Kef was the same company as before they would be offering matched drive units (with a longer lifetime).

RR105-3 · Intermediate Contributor 25+ Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

clubsport911 · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 12:53 pm Post subject:

Impressive restoration...takes me back when I did a “root and branch” job on mine.

In addition, changed the BAF for Rockwool, replaced all internal wiring, renewed the bass unit grommets, re-sealed, revised the crossover for the new HF Units, fitted damping inside the 2 off lower midrange drivers.

The speakers are very nice and whilst old still make me smile.

Good work repairing yours.

oldandintheway · Intermediate Contributor 25+ Joined: 16 Mar 2018 Posts: 32

Great work! i did mine and have to say they do sound great even 30 years later. It's a labour of love, but they are worth it.

SaSi · Senior Contributor 200+ Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 256

I have re-created a set of R107s, having only the domes complete with drivers and crossovers as well as the KUBE and main crossover. The bass units were gone due to a flood that ruined them and the drivers.

Having re-created the bass enclosure as close as possible to the original design, based on pictures from the net and some measurements sent to me, I experimented with a few KEF B200 drivers.

Between several versions of B200, the SP1014 performed best with the measurements (measuring output at the throat of the bass unit in a setup where acoustic foam was stacked all around).

The end result is certainly not original R107 but they do sound great. Comparing them with R105 with renewed caps in crossover, my version of R107 have more extended and tighter bass. IMHO, the SP1014 would do nicely. But other versions of B200 would not.