M19 re-pro horn foam surrounds

Altec Model 19 horn foam surrounds - eBay (item 110504022519 end time Mar-14-10 19:35:49 PDT)

I bought a pair of these and I'm not real satisfied with how they fit. They overhaning into the horns outlet. Probably easy to modify.......
The foam is also hard....not soft like I'm sure the originals were.

Anyone else try these?

I'll have to give a listen........but I think I could have done better buying felt. My horns don't need de-ringing. They are covered with sand and latex paint and are dead like wood.

Ron

Hi Ron, I bought a pair from Paul and Debbie Darst from N. Carolina they were not bad and alot less expensive I paid $45 or $55 for the foams I have a email if you need it.

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Originally Posted by Altec Best

Hi Ron, I bought a pair from Paul and Debbie Darst from N. Carolina they were not bad and alot less expensive I paid $45 or $55 for the foams I have a email if you need it.

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I thought this was the same folks. Already spent the cash, sometimes I'm an idiot.

Ron

Why not contact the sellers and tell them about your problem with them?.. It does say in that ad you linked that the foams are a "perfect fit".. If you're not satisfied, or have questions about why they are not fitting exactly in your application, you should give a go at seeing what the seller may advise and or rectify :)

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Originally Posted by RonSSS

I thought this was the same folks. Already spent the cash, sometimes I'm an idiot.

Ron

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Hi Ron, No those on eBay are someone else's.I had posted their email here before.Everyone that I have read about were happy with Paul and Debbie Darst's foams.I'm quite happy with mine.They do make a differance to my ear.

[email protected]

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Originally Posted by Altec Best

Hi Ron, No those on eBay are someone else's.I had posted their email here before.Everyone that I have read about were happy with Paul and Debbie Darst's foams.I'm quite happy with mine.They do make a differance to my ear.

[email protected]

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I second this sentiment on all accounts.

Thanks guys,

Can someone post a closeup of the fitmant around the horn edges for the "other guys" foam?

ron

my emails to Paul and Debbie Darst are not getting returned.

Here is what they look like.

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/hbmc.../2010/03/7.jpg


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/RonSS/Foam1.jpg


ron

Ron, I'm at my picture limit and I can't seem to edit anything delete old pics in my account as I keep getting a 500-Internal Server Error as others have had also so there must be a problem with Hostboard.So I can't post any pictures yet I contacted Steve from Hostboard.com but haven't heard anything as of yet.

Les, Give it a day or two then send another if no response.

Ditto on the 500 Error. No reply. No fix.

Marshall.:coffeedrinker:

I guess consider the cost of the forum.......

Use Photobucket!!

Ron, I took a few more pics of the inserts and of the back.Essentially all they are is soft white foam about 2" thick and then he cuts them to dims.I personally like them (19's) better with the foams then without.Anything you can do to deaden the ring of Metal horns the better.But for $50 I'm happy with them I was digging for the transaction I paid $45 for the foams and $8.95 shipping & Insurance.But the foams have since gone up since then to $55 + Ship Regards ~ JOHN

19 Foams pictures by Altec_Best - Photobucket

Here's mine. Not a recent pic. I bought them from a member here a few years ago but cannot remember who for the life of me! The camera flash gave them a rather false appearance with "sparkle" or "glittery" look.

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/hbmc...2008/01/25.jpg
http://www.hostboard.com/forums/hbmc...2008/01/26.jpg
http://www.hostboard.com/forums/hbmc...2008/01/27.jpg

Thanks Guys.
Russnohio's are a bit different design. Altec Best, yours look like mine. At half the cost.......
I don't like the fact that they protude into the horn mouth, so I'll just trim them.

Thanks again.

Ron

Anyone know if they offer them for the 511? Price?

GM

Can anyone who still has the stock foam surrounds report here on what the specs are or may be?

Are they open or closed cell foam? Reticulated? Approximate number of cells per square inch? True color?

I've got the "crusty" surrounds for my M19s like RonSSS, and am trying to work with a local industrial foam supplier to get a pair or 2 made.

Any/all opinions welcomed.

Thanks.
-Steve

All I can think of is, "Man, am I in the wrong business!".
I never had the foam on my 19's so can't offer any experience about the quality of the foam used but would think that a closed cell foam, cut to the proper dimensions, would offer good results.

I believe you mean open cell........... ;)

GM

Datz wot I woz thinkin, too.....
(open cell mo bettah)

My vote was for open cell, too. Sounds better used there than closed cell. Been there done that.

FWIW, I've had really good results with acoustic ceiling tiles cut to shape/form. They make my M19s the look like ghetto crap though.

The current versions for sale that I am aware of are not comparable to the stock versions. Either the finish is hard and crusty (like the ones I already have), or the geometry looks compromised. Just trying to get info on the stock M19 foam in order to duplicate on my end.

Then I'll have something to use as a baseline for experimentation. And will make the speakers look stock when I sell them.

Well, unless someone has a copy of Altec's parts spec sheet, we're probably down to guessing as to what the foam's density is, so considering Dr. Geddes's considerable effort to tame his WGs using foam, I'd start with his 30 ppi density solution used in fish tank filters.

GM

I still wonder why they could'nt have made the originals so they'd last for a longer time.

I mean, acoustical foam inside a recording studio does not rot after 20-30 years does it?


Russ

I thought all foam stuff rots after awhile. Doesn't it?

The open cell foam grilles on my 1979 Model 9's rotted after only 5 or 6 years. It all depends on how much sunlight they are exposed to. The sun (I assume infrared) really causes them to deteriorate. I still have the plastic frames. I don't know that there is a market for new foam on those. The mid's and tweet's are gone too, so it is pretty much a lost cause.

I have the foam from Paul and Debbie on my 19's. That seems to be as close to factory as I have seen. I expect that I will need to replace again in a few years. I hope Paul & Debbie are still in business at that time! I try and keep the 19's out of the sunlight.

Carl Bill

I have some of Paul's foam as well. I think if I recall correctly, when asked about the longevity of the new foam, Paul said that the chemical composition had changed since the 80's and should have a longer lifespan.

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Originally Posted by GM

I believe you mean open cell........... ;)

GM

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Hi GM,If you need ones for the 511 I have their phone # and could call and ask if you need them. Regards

I received an email from the Darst's. their computer had been down. it's running again and they will take orders. the delivery time may be a bit long as they have no stock.

regards
Les

It took around two months, but today I received my foam surrounds. They fit my Model 19 clones very well and look well as well. I would say there is some effect on the high frequencies, but I am as yet unsure. I'll report back later.

Worth the wait and the money in my opinion.

regards.
les

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Originally Posted by RonSSS

I thought this was the same folks. Already spent the cash, sometimes I'm an idiot.

Ron

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Sorry Ron, If you bought them off ebay within the last 6 years, they weren't "ours". We stand behind our product, and offer 100% satisfaction in the fit and look. Our foams sell for $55.00, plus s&h. We used to offer them on ebay years ago, but the demand diminished, so we discontinued the auction. We understand there is a Mr. Bill, out of Fla. who is now on ebay selling the foams for $109.00 -- Sorry if you were taken in by him, and I would defininitely contact him, and let him know of your dis-satisfaction of the product, you obviously haven't entered a negative ebay response to the product, as this guy has a very high rating, good luck, sincerely, Paul & Debbie Darst

I just got my foams from the Darst's and I am very pleased. The workmanship is absolutely professional. It took a month to get them and I was starting to get a little worried about getting ripped off but apparently when you deal with the Darst's you have to be patient.

It wouldn't hurt if they sent a message saying, "We received your Money order and we will build your foams when we get to them, along with an estimated completion date.

However I am glad I found them here and I no regrets. Thanks Paul and Debbie for your excellent work and superior product. I hope you are still around if I get old enough to need another set. Hell, I hope I am around to need another set.

Yeah patience is a virtue.You should have gotten a phone number.Debbie gave me Paul's cell #

Check Canuckaudiomart - seller MHoyle there has foams that look just like the originals using modern soft foam. Only $30 + shipping etc.