Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevehertz · 23rd Dec 2015, 2:48 pm

The speaker surround on a Grundig Satellit 650 had completely disintegrated. I obtained a generic replacement surround of the correct size from Speaker Repairs.co.uk, their type FS401. I cleaned up the edge of the old cone using a very sharp craft chisel, and also the metal frame using a screwdriver then IPA. I then carefully glued the new surround in place using the proper glue.

I actually refitted the speaker to the radio chassis having turned it through 180 degrees as this tends to offset any droop that may have occurred during the previous life of the speaker, especially in the rear surround. On that subject, you are advised to also cut away the speaker cone's centre dome and use thin plastic strips eased down into the magnet/coil gap to centre the coil/cone while the new surround is fitted. You don't have to do this however, and I checked out the voice coils' 'centralness' by rocking the cone in every direction to see if the 'natural' position of the cone was central. In my case, it seemed that (as is often the case) the cone had drooped with gravity, hence that's why I turned it through 180 degrees when refitting. BTW, if you do cut away the central dome, you have to glue a new one in place - it's not as bad as it seems. Nonethless, I was able to 'save' the original dome by my less invasive approach. The result? it seems to be perfect. I've tried lots of bass and it takes it without problem.

I first reconed a 12 inch guitar loudspeaker in the 70s when someone put their foot through the cone. With that one I did a complete recone. Then in the 80s I refoamed a Wharfedale SFB open baffle hi-fi speaker from the 50s where the foam surrounds on all three drivers had rotted to nothing. On that occasion with there being no internet, no search facility, I made my own new surrounds using thin foam that I cut out using various sizes of dinner plates, saucepan lids, whatever as 'dies' to cut around. That worked a treat too.

BTW The Grundig Satellit 650 still has a few niggling problems, but that's another story!

camtechman · 24th Dec 2015, 2:23 pm

Good job well done !

I had to do the same thing with a pair of elliptical bass resonators on a pair of KEF Cadenzas....a tad more tricky but they still working well.

Phil G4SPZ · 26th Dec 2015, 11:53 pm

Well done, Steve. I've only tackled a handful of 'speaker repairs myself, nothing as drastic as yours but they've all worked out OK. I like classic Grundig portables, which are beautifully built and sound very good. I hope you resolve the remaining niggling problems.

stevehertz · 27th Dec 2015, 3:19 pm

Thanks guys. Actually, refoaming a speaker is much easier than you'd think. It does seem daunting at first, but the actual procedure just requires common sense, a reasonably deft hand, and a good clean up of surfaces to be glued prior to attempting to fit the new surround.

Jimmyhaflinger · 2nd Jan 2016, 1:05 am

these are actually Italian made FAITAL speakers, Grundig started using them after they quit making their own speakers. These same speakers were also used in TVs and car radio installations back then.

Some have better foam surrounds or rubber surrounds and are still fine.

stevehertz · 2nd Jan 2016, 10:14 am

Thanks for the info Jimmy. In case I ever need a replacement, do you know if they are still available?

23rd Dec 2015, 2:48 pm	#1
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 The speaker surround on a Grundig Satellit 650 had completely disintegrated. I obtained a generic replacement surround of the correct size from Speaker Repairs.co.uk, their type FS401. I cleaned up the edge of the old cone using a very sharp craft chisel, and also the metal frame using a screwdriver then IPA. I then carefully glued the new surround in place using the proper glue. I actually refitted the speaker to the radio chassis having turned it through 180 degrees as this tends to offset any droop that may have occurred during the previous life of the speaker, especially in the rear surround. On that subject, you are advised to also cut away the speaker cone's centre dome and use thin plastic strips eased down into the magnet/coil gap to centre the coil/cone while the new surround is fitted. You don't have to do this however, and I checked out the voice coils' 'centralness' by rocking the cone in every direction to see if the 'natural' position of the cone was central. In my case, it seemed that (as is often the case) the cone had drooped with gravity, hence that's why I turned it through 180 degrees when refitting. BTW, if you do cut away the central dome, you have to glue a new one in place - it's not as bad as it seems. Nonethless, I was able to 'save' the original dome by my less invasive approach. The result? it seems to be perfect. I've tried lots of bass and it takes it without problem. I first reconed a 12 inch guitar loudspeaker in the 70s when someone put their foot through the cone. With that one I did a complete recone. Then in the 80s I refoamed a Wharfedale SFB open baffle hi-fi speaker from the 50s where the foam surrounds on all three drivers had rotted to nothing. On that occasion with there being no internet, no search facility, I made my own new surrounds using thin foam that I cut out using various sizes of dinner plates, saucepan lids, whatever as 'dies' to cut around. That worked a treat too. BTW The Grundig Satellit 650 still has a few niggling problems, but that's another story! Attached Thumbnails __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

24th Dec 2015, 2:23 pm	#2
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 Good job well done ! I had to do the same thing with a pair of elliptical bass resonators on a pair of KEF Cadenzas....a tad more tricky but they still working well. __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

26th Dec 2015, 11:53 pm	#3
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 Well done, Steve. I've only tackled a handful of 'speaker repairs myself, nothing as drastic as yours but they've all worked out OK. I like classic Grundig portables, which are beautifully built and sound very good. I hope you resolve the remaining niggling problems. __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

27th Dec 2015, 3:19 pm	#4
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 Thanks guys. Actually, refoaming a speaker is much easier than you'd think. It does seem daunting at first, but the actual procedure just requires common sense, a reasonably deft hand, and a good clean up of surfaces to be glued prior to attempting to fit the new surround. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

2nd Jan 2016, 1:05 am	#5
Jimmyhaflinger Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Spezia, Italy Posts: 834	Re: Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 these are actually Italian made FAITAL speakers, Grundig started using them after they quit making their own speakers. These same speakers were also used in TVs and car radio installations back then. Some have better foam surrounds or rubber surrounds and are still fine.

2nd Jan 2016, 10:14 am	#6
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Speaker surround replaced on Grundig Satellit 650 Thanks for the info Jimmy. In case I ever need a replacement, do you know if they are still available? __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..