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How long should speakers last?

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jepstr67

· POTM November 2008
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8,881 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
I have noticed the speakers in my pickup were going bad. It was really weird. They were fine one month, one went and 2 weeks later the other one was shot. So I took them out and had a look. Here is what I found. View attachment 4457 View attachment 4458 View attachment 4459
Notice, around the edge of the paper cone there should be a foam rubber lip that connects the cone to the housing. WHICH IS COMPLETELY GONE!

In the one photo there are some remaining parts of the foam rubber.

So how long should speakers last?

Thanks!
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
heckler said:
is this out of your '68 or your '72? :D

my Patriot speakers lasted 5 months before they were buzzing. replaced under warrantee.
Click to expand...

'82 and upon further research these are probably 18 years old. I guess I got my moneys worth.;)
 
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#5 ·
18 years in not too bad in a car. Sometimes the foam can rot in 10 years, sometimes you can find 25 year old speakers with no rot. A lot depends on the environment the speakers were in. Direct sunlight will really speed thing up.

You can replace the foam surround on most speakers, but it's around $25 a pair. Not sure if it would be worth it for you.
 
#6 ·
not about car speakers, but my father has some floor speakers made by RCA that fell off a semi - sold at discount, and are still kick'n 25 years later!
 
#7 ·
We had a pair of 3 way MTX (American Acoustics) home speakers that did get some abuse. At 9 years both woofers had the foam surround just disintegrate over th course of two days. Good thing they had a 10 year warranty and were replaced.

But what I am trying to say is that IT might be use and the smaller the speaker, the more it flexes, that causes the foam to break down. So I would call 18 years a good life.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
At the moment, I swapped a set of OEM speakers out of my Wagoneer. I'll just figure 10 to 20 years is the maintenance schedule on speakers. ;) (unless I can find some vintage ones without the foam where the paper cone goes all the way to the metal housing.

Keep in mind this is an 1982 J-10. Quality of sound isn't really that important. It is hard to hear much detail over the road noise in older vehicles. I've made great strides in sound deadening in the truck, though much better, still pretty loud compared to the Patriot.
 
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#9 ·
Check out www.parts-express.com for some replacements. They get in batchs of various things at times and you can find some real deals. My brother picked up some premium Ford OEM speakers for 4.95 ea and they sound great in his Thunderbird (and they were a direct fit to boot).
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
O.K. I'm an idiot when it comes to audio things. Is the measurement of a round speaker the cone or the housing or the bolt pattern for mounting? I'm debating 4" or 5-1/4" as to what fits in my doors. I think it is 5-1/4, but the cone is really only 4".

Thanks.
 
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#11 ·
jepstr67 said:
O.K. I'm an idiot when it comes to audio things. Is the measurement of a round speaker the cone or the housing or the bolt pattern for mounting? I'm debating 4" or 5-1/4" as to what fits in my doors. I think it is 5-1/4, but the cone is really only 4".

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Housing. Go to www.crutchfield.com and state your vehicle. They will shoot back all items that will fit directly. I use it as a guide.
 
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