SpeakerTalk

glynmatthews · Introductory Contributor Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

Hello there. This is my first posting so if I sound totally ignorant, that is probably the case!
I've just inherited my Dad's KEF 104's and found one of the tweeters is faulty. I've now got hold of a replacement unit and am unsure how to diconnect the old and replace with the new. There seems to be some sort of sleeve on the old wiring. Is there a push fit connector in there or is it soldered? Do I cut the sleeving off or work it back up the wire - it seems very stiff. Can I replace using plain insulating tape and if so is it merely a case of cutting and soldering in the new or are there any pitfalls to be aware of? Is special solder required, can I reuse what is there or use normal solder? It does seem a little ridiculous to me that in an age of thick multi strand speaker cable that these units are wired in with what appears to be no thicker than bell wire. However - any advice would be much appreciated - in novice terms please.

Many thanks
Glyn

ColinR · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject:

Place the speaker on it's back before doing any work.

An egg carton, yoghurt pot, etc should be molested and taped over the replacement tweeter.

A bit of washing up liquid will lubricate the wires and the rubber sleeve should slide out of the way to show a soldered joint.

The wires usually have a couple of twists so desoldering requires the wires to be under tension to "break" the mechanical joint.

The joint has normal snake oil free solder, so any will do, use a 25 Watt iron to make and break the joint.

A bit of heat-shrink wrap would be better than insulating tape.

Look up a wire table on the Internet, the internal wires are thick enough and in later "computerised designs" are part of the design, so the "target function" and voicing my be altered by using man sized cable.

The only place where "man sized cable" is of any use is between the input terminals and the crossover PCB where >90% of the energy inputted is lost.
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glynmatthews · Introductory Contributor Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the advice. All went smoothly! GM