How to Refoam a Speaker Cone

Speaker cones can be refoamed.

A speaker surround holds the cone in place and lets it move forward and back. This process produces the sound waves of the music the speaker is playing. Over time, surrounds can deteriorate, especially those made of foam. Because this is a common occurrence, there are many kits available on the market for refoaming speaker cones. With the right kit you can refoam the cone without any great difficulty.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Razor blade or sharp knife
• Speaker refoaming kit

Instructions

1. Loosen and remove the screws on the perimeter of the speaker. Pull the speaker out of the cabinet and unplug the connectors on the back. Note which wire connects to which speaker terminal.

2. Place the speaker, magnet side down, on a table. Pull off the old foam surround material. Take a razor blade of sharp knife and carefully trim away any remnants of the foam from the speaker cone and the metal basket surrounding the cone.

3. Place the new surround on the cone to check fit. Take the surround off and turn it upside down. Apply a thin bead of the adhesive supplied with the kit onto the portion of the surround that will contact the cone. Spread it out carefully with the supplied brush. Apply a second bead on the cone and spread it out with the brush. Place the surround onto the cone and center it carefully on the cone. Let the glue dry for several hours.

4. Lift the outer edge of the new surround and spread glue on the underside of the surround and the metal of the basket where they meet. Gently tamp down the surround edge with your fingers to seat it on the glue. Let the glue dry for several hours before reinstalling the speaker in the cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• Speaker refoaming kits come for generic sizes of speakers, as well as for specific brands and models.

References

• "Home Theater Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools"; Brett McLaughlin; 2004

Resources

• Speaker Works: DIY Speaker Refoam Kit