[Joe_K]

I was wondering what the life expectancy of the ScanSpeak rubber surrounds are?
Shouldn't these last longer than older style foam surrounds?
Thanks,
Joe

[Mike Dzurko]

Joe:

The rubber surrounds should last a LONG time. I have some that are well over 20 years old and still like new.  I'd say 30-50 years, easy.

[Sparkie]

HI Joe & Mike,

I have some 1971 vintage KEF speakers with rubber surrounds still in daily use although they are not my main top end speakers. I have renewed drivers with foam surrounds. The foam seems to last only a few years in the Australian summer heat. The foam was replaced about 25 years ago with rubber and all is well today. I think that the sound with rubber surrounds is better because the foam is sonically transparent and lets more sound from the rear of the driver?box through muddying the sound. The sound with rubber seems to be clearer and sharper over all. The rubber and the foam had about the same elasticity.

Have fun,


Barry.