How to clean up ceramic drivers?

Hamburger

Well-Known Member
Nov 6, 2018
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105
Hi,
I have a question regarding ceramic drivers of the early days; say about 15-20 years ago.
1) How to clean the diaphragms (grime?) with the grill on? Do I have to un-bolt and dismantle the front of the driver unit?
2) Are they cleanable and become "white" again, or is it discoloration of the ceramics?
3) How long can these early generation ceramic drivers continue to operate properly?
Thank you.

1633744368195.png
 

BlueFox

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Nov 8, 2013
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Are you saying the grills don’t twist or pop off?
 

Addicted to hifi

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Sep 8, 2020
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Hi,
I have a question regarding ceramic drivers of the early days; say about 15-20 years ago.
1) How to clean the diaphragms (grime?) with the grill on? Do I have to un-bolt and dismantle the front of the driver unit?
2) Are they cleanable and become "white" again, or is it discoloration of the ceramics?
3) How long can these early generation ceramic drivers continue to operate properly?
Thank you.

View attachment 82634
I don’t think you can get that of It’s deteriorating.
 
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MPS

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Jun 20, 2016
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I would just leave them as they are, discoloration is not likely to affect the sound. If it's the visual aspect that bothers then just cover the grills with speaker clothing.
 
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andromedaaudio

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Jan 23, 2011
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These are early Thiel accuton units i suppose ( are these Lumen white speakers , you had white flame / white light at the time :) ??)
They are made of aluminium oxide iirc , whether a solvent / water can be used to clean them without problems i m not sure .

If my recollection is right they are non removable grills
You could unscrew one unit and try to pull it out gently to check if it has bolts at the back to remove the grill , if its stuck i wouldnt bother as may be the wires are to short , due to soldering after mounting , it depends on the building method of the speaker
Cleaning without removing the grill is rather difficult , you could spray it on but how to wipe it off ???

If there is not a substantial weight increase due to the coloration ( fines ) then i doubt if it matters much soundwise .
Visual is another thing , i doubt also this moisture? coloration could be removed entirely .
By the way, is this a moisture that dropped on the membrane or is this a coloration of the aluminium oxide over time due to bad storage / age ( check the internet on aluminium oxide aging problems /coloration )

How long they last ?? . .... Until they break :)
i think the first thing to go would be the rubber? surround , but since these are high quality units , they last long.
You could inspect the rubber? surrounds for cracks , and the membranes for cracks as well .
If you play music through the speaker , you can put your ear against each unit to check if they are still operational.

I usually check if the unit is (still) operational by applying a ever so slight finger touch against the membrane ( not with tweeters ! ) while playing music at a low / medium level , but that aint gonna work with your grilles
 
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Hamburger

Well-Known Member
Nov 6, 2018
101
21
105
These are early Thiel accuton units i suppose ( are these Lumen white speakers , you had white flame / white light at the time :) ??)
They are made of aluminium oxide iirc , whether a solvent / water can be used to clean them without problems i m not sure .

If my recollection is right they are non removable grills
You could unscrew one unit and try to pull it out gently to check if it has bolts at the back to remove the grill , if its stuck i wouldnt bother as may be the wires are to short , due to soldering after mounting , it depends on the building method of the speaker
Cleaning without removing the grill is rather difficult , you could spray it on but how to wipe it off ???

If there is not a substantial weight increase due to the coloration ( fines ) then i doubt if it matters much soundwise .
Visual is another thing , i doubt also this moisture? coloration could be removed entirely .
By the way, is this a moisture that dropped on the membrane or is this a coloration of the aluminium oxide over time due to bad storage / age ( check the internet on aluminium oxide aging problems /coloration )

How long they last ?? . .... Until they break :)
i think the first thing to go would be the rubber? surround , but since these are high quality units , they last long.
You could inspect the rubber? surrounds for cracks , and the membranes for cracks as well .
If you play music through the speaker , you can put your ear against each unit to check if they are still operational.

I usually check if the unit is still operational by applying a ever so slight finger touch against the membrane ( not with tweeters ! ) while playing music at a low / medium level , but that aint gonna work with your grilles

Hi Andromedaaudio,
You are the expert in identifying the speakers. ;)
Yes, they are White Flame, almost a 20 year old model.
4 mounting screws on the drivers, vs the current Accuton series of 6 mounting screws.
Should anything go wrong dismantling the drivers while cleaning it, there will not be an exact model replacement anymore.

Anyway, these are not my speakers, but I was just curious on how to maintain these drivers. Thanks for your maintenance tips! :)
 

analyzer

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May 20, 2016
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Please consider that ceramic drivers are extremely fragile. A tiny bit of trying to clean in surface and they will easily crack.
You may eventually ask to Accuton's offices and hear what they suggest...
 
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andromedaaudio

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Jan 23, 2011
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The only unit that ever broke during play , due to too much power in my 20 years or so of speakerbuilding , ....
Was a 20 mm Thiel accuton diamond 5600 euro retail / pair :confused::p
1633791031558.jpeg

The other was a scanspeak unit that got destroyed due to DC , while testing a DIY preamplifier design
 
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Oracle1974

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2020
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Please consider that ceramic drivers are extremely fragile. A tiny bit of trying to clean in surface and they will easily crack.
You may eventually ask to Accuton's offices and hear what they suggest...
I have the Gauder Akustik Vescova Mk 2 speakers which also have the Accuton ceramic drivers.
I have a duster with multiple thin soft fibres which can be used to clean without risk of damage to the drivers.
 

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