jviss

Oh, that's a shame to throw away the original woofers. One can get foam kits, as I'm sure you know. Yes, when I get mine apart I'm going to test the old cap, and characterize the crossover - I think my audio generator has a sweep function, I don't recall! If so I can put it all on the scope and see how it behaves, adjust the pot and see how it moves the cutoff. Then replace the cap, clean/replace the pots, and test it again.

It would be interesting to see a crossover plot at various pot settings for this network. Also, I wonder if folks don't just punt on restoring these networks and just install a crossover board form, for example, Parts Express, which can be had for around $12. No adjustment, but then, so what? (I paid $8 for just the caps!)

Ah, thanks. I don't suppose they're still available?

What was used as original equipment?

BTW, I just ordered the cloth @JKent recommended! I'll try that, too.

Oh, interesting. Have you experience with this particular cloth? The weave seems quite open to me. How does one measure this?

Interesting. I'll have to see what's inside when I open them up. My recollection is not 100%, but I recall when I purchased these two new Ohmites that I was convinced that was what was in there originally. I wonder if they have boxes to keep the insulation out? I also wonder why they go bad! Ha, ha. Corrosion, I guess. I also recall that these Ohmite units can be refurbished, so I'll save the old ones. Then I'll have to do some research on adjusting them.

Ah, gotcha! You know, I have some really good butyl tape, I think I'll use that.

The walnut cabs look pretty good. I haven't touched them. The plan is bronze wool and Watco Danish oil. What do you use to reseal the speakers once you've removed them for service?

I've just ordered a set of expensive stands, Kanto SX26W Universal Fillable Speaker Floor Stands for Bookshelf Speakers | 26". I'm sure you know these sound much better when you get them off the floor, and out of a corner! Good stands can make a huge difference.

Thanks. I installed the cloth and it looks great and sounds great, too. I might try the one you recommend, though, as I have more speakers to do. The pots I have are new Ohmite RHSR15R 15Ω 25W rheostats, which is what I believe are what is originally in my speakers. I just ordered new caps for the crossover, Dayton 20µF 250V polypropylene caps. I feel stupid, here I am a retired electrical engineer and I don't know why I selected this value and type except that's what I gleaned reading these posts. I'm open to recommendations on refurbishing speakers, and on sealant for the speaker to cabinet interface. Thanks.

Wow, thanks @JKent and @RoyC! So glad you experts are on here, and helping. I really have to dig into these. I love them! I replace the grill cloth today, with this stuff from Michael's: https://www.michaels.com/product/loops-threads-aida-cloth-cross-stitch-fabric-oatmeal-10357727 They still sound great, but as I said, the right tweeter is about silent. I'm going to open both of them and rebuild the crossovers and test the whoofers and tweeters. As I mentioned, I have a couple of new rheostats, so perhaps I'll swap those in, too. Cheers, jv

Gee, I hope you folks are still here monitoring this thread! I have two pair of AR4x speakers, plus a pair I gave to my son. I'm just starting my refurb/restoration. The first pair I will work on was purchased new by my Dad, approximately 1969. Serials FXI76350 and '356. Only real prob now is low/no output from one tweeter; could be the crossover network. I am replacing the nicotine-stained grill cloth with cross-stitch linen I got at Michael's. I have a couple of new rheostats on hand if needed. I'm assuming I'll be replacing the caps. Wish me luck!