Acoustic Research AR8 speaker foam surround replacement/ refoaming on woofers

I replace the deteriorated foam surrounds on the woofers. It was the first time I have refoamed a speaker, so a bit of a learning experience. It is a simple enough job that most people should be able to do it themselves.

[@johnnypea43]

Thanks, I am actually doing my first refoam job a pair of AR 8b today, that were in much the same condition. The adhesive I was provided was nitrile based

[@hectormancera9136]

hey thank you for the video i have a question is ar7 and ar8 use the same repair kit ?

[@StevesElectronicRepairShop]

Not sure if they are even the same size. Best to check somewhere that sells the repair kits

[@marksweeney7327]

Beautiful job! I think you are lying about this being your first time.

[@StevesElectronicRepairShop]

Haha. It went easier than expected

[@amirdezic7338]

@@StevesElectronicRepairShop Unfortunately, it's not that simple. You've made a big mistake because the foam surrounds obviously leak air. When you push the cone, it must return slowly. AR woofers are designed to operate in a fully sealed enclosure on air cushion. Any leakage significantly worsens the sound. Also, foam surrounds must be VERY flexible and thinner than common products. These speakers are little gems. Over several decades, many sound engineers have used small ARs for monitoring. For example look up Hugh Padgham (worked with Phil Collins, The Police, Paul McCartney, Sting, Genesis, David Bowie etc) or Airstudios who have one of the largest recording rooms in the world (big enough to record a Philharmonic Orchestra) Both use AR18 which are almost the same as the AR8. Same enclosure size, same drivers, same single capacitor. Don't let the modest appearance fool you. Acoustic Research speakers from that era were precisely engineered. Only one capacitor was not designed due to cost cutting. It works in combination with a woofer and a tweeter that are purposely designed to work without a complicated crossover. It is more expensive to control the production of drivers so that they can work at the limit than to make a crossover that will cut off a possible "manufacturing error"

[@chris_johnson_music]

Where did you buy the foams from please?

[@StevesElectronicRepairShop]

I got mine on Ebay by searching for them. It was some supplier in America.

[@davidoxon]

What sort of glue is it, PVA?

[@StevesElectronicRepairShop]

Looks like it, smells like it, dries like it, but I am not 100% sure.