Whilst giving some friends a lift home from the Pub, I was informed that one of the rear speakers was "making a funny noise".

It turns out that after 6 years of service, my rear speakers have some holes appearing in the rubber surround (one hole is around 3 cm long)
They are a set of Kenwood 120 watt RMS (240 peak) 7 by 11 inch coaxial 3 ways.

My problem now is that the shops round here sell 6x9 but nothing bigger, and I have a solid wooden shelf with two big holes to fill...

So does anyone know of any decent 7x11 inch 3 ways which will take at least 100 watts RMS?

It's either that, or I'll have to get a set of 2 or 3 way components and some thick MDF (Any component recommendations also welcomed)

Jazz
(List 112, Mk2 12 gig #40. Mk1 4 gig #30. Mk3 1.6 16v)

I know they can be replaced meaning the foam around the outside edge, from reading a car audio newsgroup.

#695-Mk2/8 colors-12Gig w/Tuner- awaits v2.x & Voice Recog.

Bigger speakers allways make better sound, especially in the lower frequences. You can only compare speakers of same quality of course. Do a search in the web. If you really don't find anything with the right size and decent quality then i would recommend Pioneer TS-E (E-motion) series 3-way speakers. For example Pioneer TSE-E6995 gives 25-32,000 Hz, 91 dB. Actually i have smaller 16cm ones at rear deck and they give really good sound. Actually i had to replace the front Alpine components to Pioneer TS-E series allso, after rear speakers failure. Because the freqecy range and sound quality difference in front/rear became really audible and disturbing.

Veiko
veiko@lc.ee

MK1 #317 - 20GB green

I checked the size of the speakers today, and they are actually 7X10 (should have checked before posting)

I saw those Pioneers today, and was quite tempted, but as I've mounted the 7X10s underneath the shelf, I've got too big a cutout to fit 6X9s without some surgery... (The 7X10s fit in the same hole as a 6X9 when mounted from above, due to a spacer ring which goes between the speaker and the top of the shelf... I wanted a "stealth" install, so had to cut a bigger hole to mount them underneath)

As the balance between the JVC component fronts and the old Kenwood rears was so good, I've decided on the 7X10 Kenwood KFC-HQ718.

I'll look into the TS-E components when I change the front speakers in a year or so... =)

Jazz
(List 112, Mk2 12 gig #40. Mk1 4 gig #30. Mk3 1.6 16v)

If I lived on the mainland, I'd consider replacing the foam rubber surround. As I don't I'd have to send them away and I'd be without rear fill for a good few weeks.

I've had 6 years use out of them so I've decided to get a new pair (I can't survive for a few weeks with half a stereo, it's just not right... =)

Thanks for the suggestion though... =)

Jazz
(List 112, Mk2 12 gig #40. Mk1 4 gig #30. Mk3 1.6 16v)

I had this same thing happen on some 10" woofers on my home speakers and fixed it for free in about 15 minutes. This will work if your holes are still cracks where the edges meet. If you've lost a chunk of the surround material this will not work.

Get some clear nail polish and put it over the cracks and let it dry. Do 1-2 light coats or until the crack is completely sealed. Let this dry 24 hours then give those speakers a try. Don't get too much extra beyond the cracks, it does make the baffle stiffer. The nail polish acts like model airplane glue and partially dissolves the rubber and it makes a great bond.

-Zeke

just say you weren't paying much attention...

This will work if your holes are still cracks where the edges meet. If you've lost a chunk of the surround material this will not work.

I've lost a 1cm chunk of one speaker, and a 3cm chunk from the other... =(

I'll have to keep that trick in mind though, in case my sub does the same. =)

Jazz
(List 112, Mk2 12 gig #40. Mk1 4 gig #30. Mk3 1.6 16v)

Sounds like time for replacement. :-(

You may be able to find 6 x 9s in a 7 x 10 plate or adapter. Good luck, whatever you choose.

I would imagine the nail polish trick would be kinda temporary, if teh surround is brittle enough to split, it may get worse in other places. At least it'll give you OK sound until you find a replacement.