Infinity Reference 5 refoam

[Wearesound]

I just dragged home a $40 basement find, minty set of Infinity Reference 5's. Obviously the foam is toast. It appears foam kits are readily available but I'm wondering if anyone knows of something available for these that would be more durable overtime. I hate replacing the foam knowing it will just need to be done again in the future.

Aside from the foam, lightly testing them has revealed a really nice sound. Now I'm a little more eager to get them whipped into shape and give them a real listen.

Any upgrades and/or things to address for these would be greatly appreciated. I figure the usual interior dampening and maybe cabinet reinforcement. I'll do some crossover inspection too.

 

[OldHvyMec]

You have to be careful going to a different kind of surround, it changes the compliance of the speaker for one, and definitely how they sound. Poly or poly/graphite cones with light VC are used for a reason. They literally are faster to respond and return to the center. They aren't my favorite cone material, but they sure have a purpose, and Infinity is built around that type of woofer and mid. Few, of their speaker have ever used silicon or BR (butyl rubber). Infinity Infinitesimals and I think some of the column sub/bass like the IRS V. It's been a while.

I know I've done surrounds on at least 75 pairs of Infinity. If you get good factory surrounds that haven't been on the shelf for 10 years, that helps. Treat the surrounds after they set for a month or so after you replace them, and then spray with silicone spray. DON'T go crazy with the spray. I have a few sets of Infinity foams that are close to 35 years old, and because they were cleaned, rotated, and treated every 2-3 years. They look like they are going to hit the 40-year mark with no problem. Keep them out of the sun; there is no way they hold up if they are exposed, 5-10 years is a real push.

Use a vacuum cleaner, and vent the suction. Carefully use a soft-bristle brush attachment and go around the surrounds a few times 3-4 times a year. Every 2-3 years treat the surrounds.

Regards

 

[Wearesound]

I figured that might be the case. I really don't mind going with original foam, I just thought I'd see if anyone had tried something else with decent results. But it makes more sense from a design point-of-view. Ill stick with the foam and just take care of them should I decide to keep this set.

Any recommendations on foam suppliers? I imagine some are hit and miss. Seemed to be quite a few online sellers.

 

[DVDdoug]

Some quick Internet research tells me that you may be able to "upgrade" to rubber. Cloth options may also be available. You might want to contact a speaker re-coning/repair company to see if they can tell you how that would affect performance.

I'd be inclined to go with something better, maybe I'd even replace the woofer, even if it slightly degrades performance. It looks like the cabinet isn't ported which makes the speaker characteristics less finicky.

 

[Wearesound]

DVDdoug, I'll do a bit of digging and see what other options are possible. I imagine someone has tried it, just gotta look harder.
There's nothing wrong with the foam option in all reality.
Ill report back when I get settled on the repairs.

 

[DVDdoug]

There's nothing wrong with the foam option in all reality.

Except it deteriorates. It seems to be the worst of all surround choices. I don't know if "all foam surrounds are equal" and I'm surprised they are still using the cheap stuff that doesn't last.

I've got speakers 40-50 years old with rubber and cloth surrounds and they are still "perfect". I might have foam surround subwoofers in my van. I don't remember... I was having a problem with weak bass and distortion and I was thinking the foam was shot. But I opened-up the subwoofer box and they looked perfect. The problem was the amplifier.

 

[Wearesound]

Ya know, it just might be one of those business model things.. make it cheap so it doesn't last forever. I can't imagine an old speaker company like Infinity, or any for that matter is unaware of the poor durability of foam. But yeah it seems not all foam is created equally. Some hold up better than others. The cheap cheap stuff seems to just turn to dust when its on the way out. You'd think they would at least use higher quality foam.

 

[OldHvyMec]

Look, it's pretty simple; it changes the compliance of the driver. I built/repaired a lot of speakers/cabinets/sets over the years. The only place a surround change really works is on the older pleated silks, and then it's because you use a different fabric. I have 2 pairs of red dots that are close to 80 years old. Some of the old pro speaker surrounds you can get away with different accordion material, BUT it is always best to stick with what they use. I prefer silks if I take silks off.

I have replaced some weird ones on Jensen's before, and no one in the BAY Area had any idea what the material was. (25+ years ago) I still think someone replaced the originals, and I got stuck with a re-cone/surround job. These drivers were 1600.00 each, back then. Jensen Imperials D300 (I think) Expensive friggin drivers.

If you really want to mess up a very expensive speaker, try putting BR on the older JBL, Tannoy, Altec, or Jensen. It literally ruins how the speaker sounds.

If I hadn't had to change a few through the years BACK for people that tried to "UPGRADE", I wouldn't have said a thing. BTW, I don't know how old you are, but 30+ years is a long time for the cabinet and veneers. A few of the Infinities are made with some pretty cheap cabinet material. I've @Soundcoated, a few Infinities, and VMPS speaker cabinets behind interior flaking. Especially if they are heavy breathers with PRs and close to high-humidity areas like the Bay Area Delta.

Be thankful that those are extremely easy to do. 2 hours tops if you take a break or two. 3-4 hours if you start drinkin' or smokin' in the middle of the refit. LOL
Use a Sharp one sided razor and dress the blade if you put any nicks in the blade. It scrapes the crap out of polys or graphite cones. Just dress the razor with a very fine hone stone, a couple of swipes will do it. Just until you can't feel the burr on at least one side of the blade. 70-90% isopropyl (90s hotter).

One more thing, make sure the surround tack isn't 1000 years old too, ay! A good fresh batch "is runny" and have a cleaning rag ready, don't squeeze on the alcohol, it will evaporate. Don't wait to clean the cone after, get er done!PE has extra tubes of fresh tack if you need it. BR uses a special tack too; it is a lot heavier, almost like silicone paint or @Flex-Seal.

Best of luck.

 

[Penelinfi]

Except it deteriorates. It seems to be the worst of all surround choices. I don't know if "all foam surrounds are equal" and I'm surprised they are still using the cheap stuff that doesn't last.

I've got speakers 40-50 years old with rubber and cloth surrounds and they are still "perfect". I might have foam surround subwoofers in my van. I don't remember... I was having a problem with weak bass and distortion and I was thinking the foam was shot. But I opened-up the subwoofer box and they looked perfect. The problem was the amplifier.

No material is bulletproof. I've come across rock hard rubber. Rock hard treated cloth. Both can be treated but needs attention every few months for those problematic ones.

Replacing foam isn't too difficult . I'd try to get the better polyethyl type ones. Perhaps the darker foam looks better.
Avoid scratchy, too stiff foam. Hard to tell when buying online of course.

Foam is lightweight and surprisingly damping of cone.

You will likely miss out on the secret sauce sticky damping on the inner roll of the surround. The glue you use may also not damp as well.

As of yet it seems like no one wishes to share something readily available and works.