AR 510's

[Guest sailing]

Woofer and Mid have lost foam surround, and, I am not sure that the speakers are good? In any event, I would like any opinions as to: restore existing speakers(foam may solve the problem): or, send speakers to be repaired(restored); or, buy new speakers to fit in cabinet and with existing crossover. The cabinets seem perfect and very well made(solid Oak)

[Guest matty g]

Hi -

As bad as it may seem when the foam degrades on the woofer and mids on those speakers, it really isn't a big deal at all. You can order a refoaming kit and do it yourself for about $25 or so, or you can send them out to be refoamed. If you send them out I would recommend Millersound in Landsdale, PA. I had my TSW-610's done there and they are terrific. Doing it yourself is not really that hard to do, and at this stage (after doing it on some other drivers) that is probably the route I would go... a great opportunity to learn.

By all means do not throw out the original drivers and don't try to replace them with non AR drivers - they are specific to that crossover and the cabinet dimensions. TSW-510's are very good speakers and are totally worth restoring, and it won't even cost that much. You shure can't buy a speaker as good as that now for the amount of money that it will cost you to fix 'em!

Good Luck!

Matt

[Guest sailing]

Matt, Thanks for the information....a little new at this, and you have been a big help! I actualy ordered surround kits after talking to tech reps and giving actual demensions, frame cone etc. Two supliers, two wrong sizes.....all have been returned. I think the MILLER SOUND route sounds like a good option. Confirming that I will end up with nice vintage speakers is best news.....Thanks again, Bill in Atlanta....

[Guest Kendalcio]

The 510's are a notch higher than my AR TSW-410's that I recently refoamed with the help of excellent tips from board members in a separate thread. The spacers were the main nuisance in the repair.

I got my surround kit from GeoAli Vintage Stereo (readily seen on a google or yahoo search), which listed the kit based on AR speaker model number. The 8 inch woofer surround fit perfectly. The 6.5 inch surround did the job but the tolerances were pretty slim because of the spacer on the speaker basket. The GeoAli kit did not include a dust cap, but that did not matter to me becaue I had already decided to do a shimless repair.

They sound fine after the repair, but then I already knew that all the drivers and both crossovers worked before I started and I knew what the speakers were supposed to sound like.

FWIW, even though the 510's are listed as a floor standing speaker, I would experiment with placement on stands. While what works for the 410's may not necessarily work for the 510's, it doesn't hurt to experiment.

Good luck no matter what road you take.

[Guest sailing]

And, they are FANTISTIC! Sent speakers to MillerSound in Pa for refoam and test. Repaired speakers returned without any delay and reinstalled in cabinets. This was a pair I recently discovered in a "gallery", and therefore had never heard. My system, with power from a 2125 Macintosh has always been linked with a couple of JBL (Jubal)'s from the 70's. Switching back and forth I am now hearing a superior sound with less power? I am delighted with a new "open" sound from the refoamed AR's and also, the design of the cabinets. I have no idea how much these speakers cost new, but now they are a priceless addition to my vintage system! I may install a cone spike set to add to clarity and bass. Although, I really don't see how they could sound much better. Thank you for all advice on this project. Bill in Georgia