MisterT

Okay, my SoundStream SPL12's started sounding like crap and I popped the trunk to discover why that was. The butyl rubber surround is separating from the woofer. I guess it is from over excursion. I can do one of two things: find an adhesive and fix them myself or send the back to SoundStream and have them rebuild them. The 2nd used to cost $75/woofer back in '96 when I purchased them new and worked at a local hifi shop. So perhaps I can use silicone caulking and re-attach the butyl surround myself? What would you guys recommend? These subs are 7 years old, but they sound good, and I don't have the money to send them back just yet and would it be worth sending back in the first place? SoundStream is located in California and I am on the East Coast. I remember shipping stuff to them for repair, and it would take 1 to 1 1/2 months until it got back. I love their products, but boy are they SLOW!! My sealed box has 75% polyfil in it and am also wondering if I should take more out to help avoid this problem in the future. Any suggestions?! And I am not talking duct tape neither!

Muchos Gracias!

Mister T

MisterT

I am probably going to have to choke up the money and send them off to be rebuilt. Unfortunately with soundstream, I have to get a return authorization number and no one in town sells them any more. Warning to all do-it-yourselfer's, my subs hit really hard and sounded great. I probably had too much polyfill in the box. They are 1.25 cubic ft. per side with 75% polyfill. I was doing some research and found out that if a sub is designed for this size box, use 25-50% polyfill. These work in smaller applications as well as larger ones so I didn't think it would hurt, but when using a small amp, use atleast 50% polyfill, but in my case using a large one, I should have had 0-25% polyfill. Expensive mistake that will set me back money and a couple of months without any bass, unless of course I go out and buy an inexpensive pair of subs around $150 a pair. For that money though, I can have my old ones ($425/pr retail) rebuilt. I may just try doing it myself with silicone sealer and if that doesn't work, then send the things off (they are out of warranty any way). I wouldn't have any thing to lose.

Mister T

MisterT

Hey, thanks for the info. I actually got some Liquid Nails Clear Seal silicone sealant from Walmart and used it on the butyl surround. It is supposed to be strong, but not harden like super glue. They have been drying (the subs) for a day now. I'll wait until the weekend or so to put them back in and not play them loud esp. at first. I like the Kicker CompV dual 4 ohm subs. They seem to be good for the money, but ugly as hell with their cheap looking dust caps. I am hoping this will work though since it is the cheapest alternative. I plan on removing ALL polyfill from the box so I won't be taking any chances. Man the back of the magnets were hot as well as the polyfill immediately surrounding the speaker. It's amazing that the voice coils didn't melt. I have seen a lot of **** in my time from cracked woofers to "frozen" subs that were stuck "extended," but this is the first for the surround seperating not do to deterioration. I guess I see something new every day. How does that nuclear reactor of a sub you have sound? Making some waves <literally>?! I like the packaging. They mean business coming in via crate!! Pics, we need pics of how it looks in your car. I should be getting a digital camera in the near future. I have to move this weekend, so I had to hold off on it. I'll probably post pics up on SoundDomain and do so here too!

Mister T

MisterT

Well the subs sound like **** still. I think perhaps they are half fried They are just making pop noises when gains are adjusted so they may need retiring. I have had them for 6-7 years, so that isn't bad considering that I paid roughly $200 a pair and got several years life out of them. I don't think that I will get them rebuilt though. I may just switch my amp from high current to high power mode and drive a pair of relatively inexpensive subs and hope for the best. I am thinking of JL Audio 12W3's or Kicker CompVR's. Something midline, not cheap, but not expensive neither. It's raining today so I'll check my amp by hooking them up to the front speakers and make sure it's not the amp that is screwed up. Either case, it's gonna cost me money Just wish it could have happened later down the road and not the week prior to me moving. <GRRR!> Well, if you know of some good subs for around the 2-300 dollar range, let me know. Thanks!

Mister T

MisterT

Can't say I have ever seen a magnet fall off while playing! What brand of speaker was that? The elementals sound like the bomb for the money. Not dissing Kicker, but they have been around for a long time and you probably pay for the name besides the quality of them. I am going to look in to the Elemental Designs. Thanks!

mister t

Dave Cameron

Subs are harder to repair than some folks might think. The spiders need to still be OK and more important the bobbins need to not physically touch the magnet any where. Without being powered, try pressing in the dust cap, see if you can feel any resistance (feels like a bumpy ridges) then you may have contact with between the bobbin and the magnet.
This doesn't mean it is dead, but does mean it is time for a serious rebuild. Check with some good shops in the area and see if they feel they are do the work.