KEF R3 bad woofer driver

[m_g_s_g]

Before you do this could you

• check whether you can move the membrane in without a scratchy feeling
• measure the DC- resistance with a multimeter (the cheapest suffices)

- I can move the membrane without a scratchy feeling, but excursion is very limited. Much more limited than with the working woofer driver.
- DC resistance = 0 ohm.

There is a bump dent in one side of the aluminium cover plate (not easy to see with the trim ring in position). Maybe this is how the driver got damaged?

 

[617]

I contacted them through the web and they answered with a quotation email from [email protected]. They didn’t ask for a serial #.

Maybe because I just need one? Maybe they have relaxed their policy of only supplying new drivers to owners?

I think what they were really clamping down on was the resale of their coaxial drivers. The woofers aren't anything special from a diy perspective, other than looking really cool.

 

[Rick Sykora]

- I can move the membrane without a scratchy feeling, but excursion is very limited. Much more limited than with the working woofer driver.
- DC resistance = 0 ohm.

There is a bump dent in one side of the aluminium cover plate (not easy to see with the trim ring in position). Maybe this is how the driver got damaged?

View attachment 101002

Physical damage looks minimal and could be bent back for the most part, but at 0 ohms, not worth spending much time on it.

 

[m_g_s_g]

The replacement woofer arrived a couple of days ago, and I've been happily enjoying listening to my pair of R3 since. Thanks for your advice!

While replacing the woofer, I shooted some pictures of the damaged driver innards (with flash and a macro lens this time) and I was shocked: it is burnt! How can this happen? With a much too powerful amplifier?(or too weak?)

For comparison, this is the new driver:

 

[617]

The replacement woofer arrived a couple of days ago, and I've been happily enjoying listening to my pair of R3 since. Thanks for your advice!

While replacing the woofer, I shooted some pictures of the damaged driver innards (with flash and a macro lens this time) and I was shocked: it is burnt! How can this happen? With a much too powerful amplifier?(or too weak?)

View attachment 102582
For comparison, this is the new driver:
View attachment 102584

Previous owner probably neglected to use cable risers.

 

[Zvu]

The replacement woofer arrived a couple of days ago, and I've been happily enjoying listening to my pair of R3 since. Thanks for your advice!

While replacing the woofer, I shooted some pictures of the damaged driver innards (with flash and a macro lens this time) and I was shocked: it is burnt! How can this happen? With a much too powerful amplifier?(or too weak?)

View attachment 102582
For comparison, this is the new driver:
View attachment 102584

If one woofer looks like that, i wouldn't be surprised if other is charred also. Check other one and check the midranges also, if you can.

Previous owner attached some monster amp and listened very high distortion for quite some time judging by that coil.

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

Take a look at this video at 3:18. The woofers are attached with screws on the front behind a removable ring.

the ring is plastic?

 

[m_g_s_g]

the ring is plastic?

Yes