Now that GPA doesn't sell replacement 288G diaphragms what's the next best thing?
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Now that GPA doesn't sell replacement 288G diaphragms what's the next best thing?
@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 .
Attachment 4548
:)
Thanks for the tip. This is the only Altec driver I don't have spares for...
If anyone tests these, please post the results.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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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.
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)
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by RonSSS
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.
I assumed ZXPC was an importer of chinese made parts, but when I saw the name Mei, it felt like a total chinese operation. I saw that email address and that supported that thought.
we all appreciate you taking the bullet for us. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Elitopus1
A while back I got a bunch of small format Altec drivers. Many had bad diaphragms. I found by putting a diaphragm in them I could double my money. And I was very transparent that they had replacement Chinese diaphragms in them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil-G
If I still had those nowadays I could get at least double what I got for them then. It was around 2015
Well I bit the bullet and bought a pair. Probably a mistake because I won't test them in a driver; I wouldn't chance making a swap with a genuine Altec working pair. So I may have an unpleasant surprise if I really need them in the future. I'll at least check the dcr.
Man maybe I should get a pair to try too. 100 bucks for a pair
i was thinking something like that also.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elitopus1
1228 Diaphragm - Radian Audio
I need to get some Radian diaphragms too. Both 1228 and 1225. Probably should get a pair and a spare of each.
I did pick up a pair of the Radian 1228 for spares to my 902-8A and 802-8g a couple months back. Wish they also made diaphragms for the 288's
Me too. I emailed them about making 288 phragms. They said they’ll look into it. lol
Good idea! I'll do the same
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Now here this - Great Plains ACOUSTICS (now) is advertising diaphragms for 288's in 16 ohm flavor ... $160 each, 8 ohm $150...
Thinks me may need to bite the bullet ...
I purchased a pair of the 288 diaphragms from the Great Plains Acoustics website over a week ago and no further response as of yesterday. So, I emailed asking for an estimated ship date and did get a response this morning. Apologies from a Santos F Oropel, customer service director, indicating they anticipate shipping by the end of this week/early next. The reason given for the delay was they are in the process of moving their warehouse from OKC to California. I was informed Santos would call personally when they ship
The banner on their website says they will start shipping out orders on 8/2.
Ordered a set of frams for my 288 drivers.
Don’t want to risk an accident or whatever…I’ll most likely die with this pair of drivers. :)
FWIW my limited experience with Radian is that they don't have as wide a BW as Altec, so must EQ more efficiency away to get the same BW.
I got notice the 288 diaphragms are finally out for delivery today. I ordered them about a month ago, but as I indicated previously, GPA was in the process of moving their warehouse operation. No problem from my perspective as they are only spares. I got a call from Santos about 2 weeks ago and chatted about the new company and its direction. He indicated the move to California was to reduce shipping costs and lead times to both the US and far east, they apparently are a big market for Altec based products. They are also opening an operation in Europe to supply those markets. I was told a sizeable portion of the foreign markets are wine/coffee/small social clubs that still utilize lots of vintage Altec products.
I asked about repair and refurbishment services and was told they are still being provided in OKC. Bill H is the principle Technical / R&D entity in the company but wasn't clear if he is responsible for service anymore. I told Santos that I expect all Altec users are relieved they are still in business and will continue servicing these vintage speakers as well as offer new products.
