How to Repair: Paradigm Aluminum Dome Tweeter Voice Coil Replacement

I consider this type of repair to be the most difficult one I perform to repair speakers. A recent service call customer had purchased a pair of Paradigm Reference Monitor 60, V2 speakers, both with blown tweeters. We looked for OEM replacements to no avail and finally settled on well known replacements from Midwest Speaker Repair to get him going. In the end, he graciously he gave me the OEM tweeters to give voice coil replacements a shot. This video shows you what is involved in going thru that complete process. No one can finally judge how successful the repair is until ears test them again back in the original speaker boxes. Meanwhile they are now viable.
I'll add the results of that final listening test when available.
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[@gerardoantonio9001]

For me was a great job

[@bpalpha]

I bought a pair of Boston Acoustics VR940s without knowing one had a completely inoperative tweeter. When I pulled it I was hoping the wires had somehow pulled off, but no. No output whatsoever. Not strapped with cash for a replacement and the tweeter looks brand new practically. Hope its repairable.

[@new2uspeakers]

It’s fiddly work, but you may want to consider taking it on. Unless you have a near perfect match of the replacement diaphragm with the original, it’s unpredictable how close the sound output will be to the original. So be prepared for that outcome with a next step. Good luck. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@deepukumardeepu4523]

Good❤❤

[@jacklawer6389]

Thanks for the video I have the paradigm studio 40 v3 speakers. I think my tweeter is blown , i still here sound but there is static and distortion. Is that blown diaphragm? If so do i replace the entire tweeter or just the diaphragm? Confused. And is it really difficult to do myself, or should Itake to a repair shop. Thanks alot for your help

[@new2uspeakers]

There are some tests that you need to do first. You need to confirm that the problem is not in the crossover circuit. This requires using a digital voltmeter and checking the resistance of the tweeter itself, as well as the values of the components in the crossover. You should also swap the tweeters between the two speakers, and see if the problem follows the tweeter or stays with the box that the tweeter is mounted in. It is easier to just buy a replacement tweeter if you can find one on the open market. I don’t know whether or not replacement voice coil’s are available for that model. I would contact Midwest speaker repair and tell them your situation and use their advice. Otherwise you may be in for exactly the same kind of repair process that I did on the video. It is not easy. And if you don’t have the tools and skills, I would not suggest it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jacklawer6389]

Do you have videos on how to test crossovers? Do these components fail often? Thanks again

[@new2uspeakers]

@@jacklawer6389 I don’t have a video that covers this. It is some very specific electrical troubleshooting skills and tools that are required. Start by doing the swapping and see what you learn from that. Your best bet is a full Tweeter replacement if OEM tweeters are available.

[@crabbynebula]

Hi! I tried to fixed the dented/pulled in tweeter on the speaker of my hifi (using the duct tape trick) and the whole tweeter came out (got unglued). Any ideas on the best way to put it back there? Is the speaker destroyed? Thanks in advance

[@new2uspeakers]

If when you pulled the dome, the entire dome with the attached voice coil came out, then you are probably in for a complete voice coil replacement. However, it’s hard to tell from your description without a photo. You’re welcome to send me a photo at the contact information of my KZbin profile and I’ll let you know what I think. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Mrsteve4761]

Nice job. This is the one job I've not yet attempted in the speaker repair I've accomplished. I'm curious as to what ratio of magnetic material vs. mineral oil you mixed, if it can be quantified in some way. Also, how was it assured the voice coil is centered in the gap?

[@new2uspeakers]

You need a lot less magnetic toner than what you would probably think. I would use 10 parts oil to one part magnetic toner ratio. You can always buy the small tubes of premixed commercial fluid if you are hesitant. Thanks for watching and commenting. Good luck in your repairs. We all need a little luck sometimes!

[@new2uspeakers]

With that type of coil, it’s very difficult to have 100% assurance that the voice coil is centered. You have to rely on the plastic mounting hardware to do that job for you. And since I’ve reused the mounting hardware and installed a replacement coil, it is not assured. It is chance, and just careful attention to detail while you work. To be honest, I don’t recommend it, and I don’t take on jobs that require that type of replacement because they are usually not 100% successful for the exact reason you’re thinking.

[@Mrsteve4761]

@@new2uspeakers Great, thank you

[@jacklawer6389]

Can I not buy the tweeter dome with the black plastic already intact without having to de solder and stuff? Thanks

[@new2uspeakers]

That would be ideal, but there were no spare parts available when we went looking for the studio 60 model. because of that, it was necessary to do the repair in the video. That is why it is so tricky.

[@jacklawer6389]

@@new2uspeakers thanks a lot for your reply

[@SteveM45]

33:16 you forgot one pieces

[@new2uspeakers]

Hmmmm. I checked the video a few times and I don't think I forgot to add anything at this point. You mentioned I forgot one piece, but it was supposed to be a piece of what? If it was the electrical tape to cover the lead wires, there are 2 pieces installed and that is all that is needed. Let me know what piece is missing. Thanks for watching and commenting!!!

[@SteveM45]

4:18 triangle isolating sheet. Oh in the end this sheet was installed, but I see not when you installed it. Sorry, it’s my error. Your video ist very good. I repaired last week the coil and this was very hart beause the wire is soooo thin. God thank, the wire was broken on the first insert to the coil. Now working.

[@new2uspeakers]

It is important to put in this sheet in because it will change the nominal location of how deep the voice coil is positioned in the magnet recess and you could limit the coil travel. You have good eyes since I think I forgot to re-install it initially.

[@shilosound3744]

I'm not sure that the coil is glued concentrated in the gap. You have not taken action for the centers.

[@new2uspeakers]

I think you are saying that I did not assure the new diaphram/coil was concentric to the magnet recess. The answer is Yes and No. The black plastic triangular piece controls the precise location of how it is mounted to the magnet. So it is critical to ensure the new diaphram/coil is mounted precisely to the black plastic. Fortunately there was easy to observe very small mold line ridge in the black plastic that was able to be used to visually check the OD of the aluminum diaphram was located well. Certainly the factory would have a tool/jig to do this , but in my opinion your eye is very sensitive to checking to see that such a concentric alignment is "good enough". As you know voice coil rubbing in a tweeter can be hard to detect, but I think we were sucessful enough. Thanks for watching and commenting!!!

[@shilosound3744]

@@new2uspeakers I think you could have made a channel for the wire on top of the black plastic. Then a new opportunity opens up! You can use paper inserts between the core and the coil before assembling the speaker. Glue the dome using the center (paper liner). Next, remove the paper insert and install the black plastic in its place, there are pins there. The metal dome has an anodized layer and does not conduct electricity. Therefore, the wire can be safely led from above.

[@new2uspeakers]

I do love that idea. This is what’s great about KZbin. We can all learn from each other and build a fantastic community. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully it’ll help the next person down the road who needs to do a similar repair.

[@shilosound3744]

@@new2uspeakers🤝