mass loading speakers

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Ordinaryman
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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Ordinaryman »

Been thinking about lining my arcam 2s for awhile now (had them since new!) Removed all the stuffing and stuffed the ports with straws a few years ago made quite a difference at the time. Not what you would call a 'modern' sounding speaker but still a good listen, and capable of making even the worst recording bearable. They still get used from time to time and prove themselves worthy. As they are no great value to anyone other than me, maybe it's time I just did it! Steel or Ceramic what would be best? Any advice?

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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Daniel Quinn »

Steel is best, ceramic is a good cheap alternative.

Also block of the port

Ordinaryman
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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Ordinaryman »

steel it is then, bound to be someone local who sells it. Will try just the steel first, see what they sound like, then maybe the port as I blocked it of before but preferred the straws, suck and see. Many thanks

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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Fretless »

I opened up my Arcam One's (first series) once to see if steel lining was possible. The cabs are so solid with big internal bracing that I doubt it would make any improvement.

Taking the stuffing out did liven them up, though.

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Ordinaryman
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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Ordinaryman »

agreed, opened mine up good solid cabinet not to much internal bracing (maybe less in 2s?) so think I might as well give it a go. would be nice to get a soundstage and hoping it might improve treble output a bit? never their best points!. as long as there is little electrical work will be happy to play!

Daniel Quinn
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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Daniel Quinn »

Always line the cabinets with steel, no matter how well braced they are. It is always beneficial.

The thicker the better. If you can't get it do 6mm

Ordinaryman
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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Ordinaryman »

will try to find someone local for steel and get it pre cut. once its in do I need to cote/cover it with anything?

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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Daniel Quinn »

If you're following doc principals, no. Anything introduced would act as a damper.

It is more important to ensure they are air tight

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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by Latteman »

Having made several lined cubes I resorted to ceramic tiles as they were easier to cut / shape to size, cheaper if I got a ‘damaged’ box and also more easily available locally for me
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Re: mass loading speakers

Unread post by guydarryl »

Ordinaryman wrote: Sun Jun 16, 2019 1:06 pm steel it is then, bound to be someone local who sells it. Will try just the steel first, see what they sound like, then maybe the port as I blocked it of before but preferred the straws, suck and see. Many thanks
was that deliberate ? :lol:
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