3 Attachment(s)
Lansaloy DOT3 Surround Treament for LE-14A and others
Since it has been about 15 months since I last treated my woofers in my L101’s, I thought I would record the procedure and post a helpful thread on applying DOT3 brake fluid treatment to you old Lansaloy surrounds. These are common on the LE-14A and others from the mid 50's to 70’s. By the way, this is just the way I do it, there are other ways and very helpful threads here…
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=871&highlight=dot3
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=5424&highlight=dot3&page=2
The problem is the Lansaloy can get very dry and brittle and therefore crack and break completely. Of course when that happens you need to install a new surround kit, but they do not make a Lansaloy surround replacement, so you must use a standard foam surround replacement in that case. There is a helpful thread here http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=469 on how to do a new foam surround.
If your Lansaloy surrounds are not yet brittle and cracked, you can treat them with DOT3 brake fluid and they will soften up quite well and the sound will have a huge improvement as well. It is not known how long you can continue to treat them, but many have been doing it for years without having to replace the surrounds. You should treat your Lansaloy surrounds annually in order to maintain proper pliability and retain optimum sonic performance. Of course your first step is to remove your grills and dismount the woofer from the cabinet. Be very careful here to handle your grills and woofers carefully in order to avoid nicks and scratches. Once you have the woofers out, place them on a work surface with plenty of light.
LE-14's Brake Fluid 12 years later
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Eric M.
I've heard of this trick but was always told it was a bad idea. This is the first thread I've seen of someone who has actually done it.
From time to time I'll pick up a speaker with the old Lansaloy surround that looks like it has "melted". I had always assumed it was a victims of DOT 3 brake fluid. Now it looks like that might not be the case.
It would be interesting to hear from those who have used this trick for years. How are the surrounds holding up?
Hi Eric, Somehow I missed your reply back in February. I am still treating my Lansaloy surrounds in my L101's 12 years later and they still are very soft and pliable and they sound fantastic. I pull the woofers and treat them with DOT3 fluid once every 2 years or so. I listen to them once or twice a month and them with a Carver M1.5t amplifier that has been restored. The bass response really is remarkable and they can take plenty of power without any ill effect. The surrounds are still fully intact, not discolored, and I am sure of much better quality and pliability than a foam replacement. Those are my thoughts... feel free to ask any questions. Shaan