RL140 #1 Bottom Woofer. This one is much worse as you can see. Will it be worth getting both of these refoamed?

Is there anything else on the 140 I should look at while I've got it open?

I would get them all done at the same time.

Not to dishearten you too much but while they're open it may well be worth replacing the electrolytic capacitors in the crossover networks, if they are still the original parts, as these can deteriorate with age too (there won't necessarily be any visible signs of deterioration for you to see).

Funnily enough Dillen can also supply capacitor kits to do this (I'm not on commission - honest)!

The good news is, once re-foamed and re-capped they'll be good for years to come.

I can only agree to what Puncher already said.

Those woofers are in need of attention. The good thing is that
they are not too bad, meaning that they probably hasn't worn the
coil former. Owners not aware of the potential problems often just play
until something goes badly wrong and then it's most likely too late for repairs.

Your woofers can be repaired to look and work like new again.
The center dustcap will also need replacing, that's not a problem and will have
to be done anyways when reshim'ing the coil.

Sadly, I don't have a spare pair of ABR metal plates at present.
Maybe the best solution for the RL60's would be to check if B&O still supply
the conversion kit.

Capacitor kits are available for both sets.

Martin

Just to add one more note.

I used to have a pair of RL60's with failing drivers and ABR's that I completely renovated.

Refoaming the drivers is always best done in pairs (left and right) as slight variations in sound occur otherwise.

I also suggest changing the capacitors in the cross-overs like mentioned in this thread before... really livens up the speakers.

Though I did replaced my ABR's with generic passive radiators (2 per ABR) with very good results. This was several years ago and my search for a replacement foam/rubber to redo the ABR's mounted to nothing suitable at the time. It resulted in a very good, clear and detailed speaker with crisp highs and slightly less 'boomy' bass . That speaker is still being enjoyed by a friend of mine every day since they were upgraded.

(I think there was a link to a website where a similar makeover is documented somewhere on this site, maybe someone else has it bookmarked ) 

Regards,

O.

Thanks for everyone's tips.

Martin I have sent you a PM with regard to the RL140 woofers and capacitor kits.

Beomatt, thanks for the offer but it's now clear the RL60s need more work than just refoaming.

I'm coming to the conclusion that it might be easier (and cheaper) to just replace the RL60s rather than try and get them repaired.  That would solve the missing strap issue too! I know that RL60.2s don't have the ABR unit, but do they have any other age related problems to be wary of? I know a memer of this forum has a pair on Ebay currently.

On another note, would these speakers work well as part of a home cinema system? When we move into our new house next year I was thinking about connecting our TV to my Beomaster 5000, with the RL140s up front, and the RL60s at the back. Does anyone have any experience of using them for this purpose or have any views on how well it might work?

😕 No probs rgs218, BeoMatt

rgs218 wrote:

On another note, would these speakers work well as part of a home cinema system? When we move into our new house next year I was thinking about connecting our TV to my Beomaster 5000, with the RL140s up front, and the RL60s at the back. Does anyone have any experience of using them for this purpose or have any views on how well it might work?

They work quite well, actually. All RL:s seem to have a fairly similar sound, from midrange on up, and back in early 90's I had a pair of RL60:s as main speakers and a split pair of RL45.2:s as center + surround - back in the days of single surround channel of then-new Dolby Surround Pro Logic, surround speaker aimed up to provide an even soundfield.

I can't see why they wouldn't work with current DTS / DD / Pro Logic II surround systems. A center speaker is highly recommended, so it's not a bad idea to keep an eye out for another, smaller pair of RL:s, and use one of them as center.

*sticking my head above the parapet*

Just watch out if it's a large room or you're expecting to play for extended periods at high volumes. RL140s + RL60s both hooked up the 5000 will make it work relatively hard if you're pushing the volume. For TV work I'm sure it will be fine, but for parties or just loud listening you'll be working that 20+ year old amp quite hard running both those loads.

Ok - I'm off to stroke my Beomaster 8000 before anyone comes back and tells me how rocking the 5000 amp is (even though I have one myself).

Do you mean home cinema i.e. surround sound or just duplicating the RL140 channels in the RL60 rears?

The 5000 won't do surround.

Puncher wrote:

Do you mean home cinema i.e. surround sound or just duplicating the RL140 channels in the RL60 rears?

The 5000 won't do surround.

Indeed the 5000 is a 2ch. amp. It would give you only the L+R front speakers.

I use an AV7000 but I guess you won't find any of those in the UK....