How to Replace a Speaker in a Speaker Cabinet

Every speaker cabinet eventually blows a speaker. Whether it stays in a practice room or gets hauled from gig to gig, something will weaken and given out. Not only will the speaker sound bad, but it changes the overall impedance of the speaker cabinet. That can damage the amplifier driving it. Luckily, a speaker cabinet is designed to allow for quick and easy speaker replacements. Read on to learn how to replace a speaker in a speaker cabinet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Proper Replacement Speaker
• Pliers (Optional)
• Screwdriver
• Tape
• Multimeter (Optional)
• Marker

1. Place the speaker cabinet on its back if possible and remove the speaker grille. Some grilles pop into place but most are secured with screws that will be visible from the side or front on the cabinet.
2. Unscrew the first screw from the bad speaker, and then remove the screw opposite it. Remove all screws in opposite pairs.
3. Lift out the speaker carefully because it is still connected to the other speaker by wires. Some speakers will be attached by two wires, and others by four, but there should never be only one wire. If this is the case the speaker may not be blown, only disconnected.
4. Pull the wires from the speaker tabs by the plastic connector. Use pliers if necessary but do not pull on the wire itself. If tabs are not color-coded (the standard code is red equals positive and black equals negative), label them with a marker. Tape the wires down so they do not fall inside the cabinet.
5. Confirm that the speaker that has been removed is bad, if desired, by measuring the resistance between the positive and negative connection tabs. If the meter reads less than an ohm or more than twice the impedance rating, it is bad; otherwise, it might not be bad. Gently press the center of the speaker cone. If it makes a scratchy sound or does not spring back into place, it is bad.
6. Push the wire connectors onto the proper tabs, using pliers if needed. Gently place the speaker into the mounting hole and replace the screws in opposing pairs. Do not tighten.
7. Tighten screws only after all have been placed. Replace the grille and return speaker cabinet to upright position.

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