SUNN 118M cabs need recone kit or speaker replacement.

[knw]

I got 2 of these cabs (brother/sister)

118M - Rear-Loading Bass Reflex Horn, 1x18 Magna 184, 4 ohms 300 watts RMS, 30" H x 30" W x 15" D.

2 days ago I blew them both playing really loud it was awesome but they melted.  They still produce a sound but there is a buzz.  The speakers are the original Magna speakers and they needed a recone job in order for me to play them really loud but they sounded fine at lower volumes.  Anyways now they really need to be reconed.

My problem is locating a recone kit for these 2.  I want to keep the Magna's since they are the originals but I can't find any info on them on the web at all.

Can I use other recone kits out there?  How would that affect the sound?  I'v never done a recone job before but I will be attempting to do it my self.

Also is it worth reconing them or should I just replace them with other speakers.

I could get 2 18" JBL's 155-8 subs ratted 600w for 500 bucks.

Thanks in advance.

[Ryan Phelps]

I don't know who made the Magna's for Sunn. I'd recommend you copy down all the numbers on the speakers and contact a local recone shop. They might be able to tell what company made the speakers and if replacement cone, spider and voice coils are available and the cost to re-build your speakers. Then you can evaluate a re-build vs. new speakers.
Re-coning speakers is not a do-it-yourself project. There are way too may variables.....correctly prepping the old basket, using the correct adhesives, centering the voice coil, not to mention finding correct parts that will fit. I've had lengthy conversations with the guy that recones my speakers (he's been doing it for over 35 years) and there are a bunch of variables involved that require experience and judgement to select. This is especially true when NOS parts are unavailable and new production parts need to be adapted to an old basket.
Some work is best left to the pros. (my $0.02 worth, no affiliation, etc.)

Ryan

[CLD]

I agree that it's a job best left to the pros.  I don't know where you're located, KNW, but there's probably an experienced speaker tech somewhere nearby.

If not, you might try calling the guy here in St. Louis who does the reconing for all the major vintage shops in town.  He reconed my two 18" Vega speakers a couple of years ago, and they sound great, plus he's reconed Sunn 15" speakers for me as well (both my 215 cabs and my 415 cab).  He found the appropriate recone kits for each one of them.

His name is Lloyd Faulkner, number is 314-440-8187. Tell him Carter sent you.  Good luck!

  

[bigobassman]

OR - if you're in the Charlotte area, check with Steve @ The Speaker Doctor.  Top of the line work for years.  Web address is www.speakerdoctor.com.  Tell him that Oren sent you.   

[knw]

Hey guys, thanks for all the input.

I'm located in Toronto Canada.

I know your recone guys are way too far for me but how much do they usual charge for a 18" recone job minus the recone kit.

I also own a 2000S cab and I blew a speaker in that one too I need to get that one reconed.  I think it might be a JBL 140 D but I might be wrong.  There is like 50 screws to unscrew.

I don't know if it's worth for me to get both MAGNA reconed I'm not sure how they sound when they are in a good working condition.  When I got them they were both in need of a recone job but 1 of them sounded pretty good but I'm looking for the new replacements to sound amazing.

Also is it worth reconing 35 year old magnets.   

[CLD]

Reconing the two 18" speakers three years ago cost me $220 total (including tax). 

[Addam]

Sorry to kind of high jack this thread, but any idea of a price range to get three 10" Transducers reconed?

[bigobassman]

Probably your best bet is to just contact one of the referenced re-builders and get a quote.  That way, no surprises.   

[juan doggie]

if still around I'll buy them with no speakers
415 678 7437
don

[HRobert]

Having the speakers reconed would be the most cost effective...if the person doing the job is qualified.  As for my preferences, I like the sound of JBL's and would go for the two E-155 18" speakers.  You could then run both cabs on just about any bass amp and only have a 4 ohm load.  Not too many amps that I'm aware of will operate at a 2 ohm load.