Replacement 288G diaphragms

[endeeinn]

Now that GPA doesn't sell replacement 288G diaphragms what's the next best thing?

[Earl K]

@endeeinn

If you're US-based ( to get the "Free-Shipping" ) and have a measurement system ( for QC testing ) , then this 288 diaphragm from ZXPC ( link following ) looks to be ( very much ) worth a try.
- This will be ( eventually ) the first aftermarket type that I try-out.

Replacement Altec 288 diaphragm from ZXPC

So, from what I see, someone has done their design homework and actually produced a replacement diaphragm with the following important ( among other ) aspects of getting it correct;

(1) Aluminum Dome
(2) Tangential ( swirl ) Surround
(3) Top-Dressed Lead-in Wires ( as opposed to travelling to the coil-windings from under the surround > a-la JBL and W.E. style ).
(4) Edge-Wound Aluminum Voice-Coil on Nomex former

Of course, there are many other ways to bugger it all up and have these be less than adequate >> but the 4 points listed are quite encouraging to this cowboy .

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[TPK]

Thanks for the tip. This is the only Altec driver I don't have spares for...

If anyone tests these, please post the results.

[endeeinn]

Thanks for the info. I'm still good for now but like TPK, I have no spare for replacement. I'll get a pair so that when the time comes I won't have a mismatch. Don't have any measuring tools except my ageing ears.

[RonSSS]

Interesting. This company also makes frams for small format drivers. But no mention of edge-wound windings etc. I guess it would be interesting to buy one and have a look.
The market seems to be flooded with small format frams. Some as low as $10. All from the same source possibly?

[TPK]

Its hard to tell which of those are just cheap chinese knockoffs vs. makers that care about quality of construction and performance. Probably most are knockoffs. Seems that way with many JBL counterfeits others have tested.

[Elitopus1]

I don’t see the 288 phragms on the GPA site anymore, but did you email them and ask?

I got a pair about a year ago. Before Bill left. Hopefully they’re still making them.

- - - Updated - - -

The small format Altec Chinese diaphragms I’ve tried out were all shite. I have not tried the ZXPC though. I’m also interested how they sound.

[TPK]

Just wanted to pass this along, I contacted ZXPC and was informed the diaphragms are made by LASE, supposedly a USA company. I found this website:

LASE

All Products

They list an Altec section, but it only states that new products are coming soon.

The seller is supposedly in Florida and signed the response "Mei" The email began "good morning", but it was 1:26PM EST for us both (if in Florida)

[Old Guy]

I'm pretty sure LASE is just ZXPC's captive brand. They may be incorporated in the US, but I will bet you all product is Chinese. Beware of snow jobs.

Edit It may be the other way around. Lase and ZXPC are both in the same city. I checked all of ZXPC's sites, including the Facebook...they don't list a street address. But interestingly enough, ZXPC's email is [email protected]. Until I see a shred of evidence to the contrary, they are the same company. And they are BSing you.

[Old Guy]

Interesting. This company also makes frams for small format drivers. But no mention of edge-wound windings etc. I guess it would be interesting to buy one and have a look.
The market seems to be flooded with small format frams. Some as low as $10. All from the same source possibly?

Business in China is quite different from the USA. Companies cooperate much more over there- to the point of sharing factories and making parts for each other.
It's more about price points than it is competing to produce a better product. If a company is producing a product for, say, ten bucks, and it is selling well, there is no incentive to improve it. If sales drop, the options are to cheapen it and lower the price, or improve it. Which direction they go is based on what is best for them. They do compete against each other, just not like we do in the US. That is starting to change, as some manufacturers are realizing they can get a substantially higher price for better goods. The problem with producing a better product is you need an advertising budget to back it. The most expensive part of cereal is the box...the advertising to support the brand. That's why so many makers are content to produce "no name" products at a lower price. That's why production moved from Japan to Taiwan, then to China. As workers get more skilled and produce better products, the price goes up. Workers demand more money, and that area can no longer build cheap goods. Next stop, India.