NBL Tweeters

Hi-Fi Corner
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Hi all,
not been here for a while…
I need to replace the tweeters in my NBL’s and have been offered an ‘alternative’ from Wilmslow Audio as the original Scanspeak ones are no longer available.

The Scanspeak Classic D2010/852100 is similar to the one used by Naim…

Any Idea how the tweeters are fixed into the front of the cabinet - is it just a matter of undoing the 4 screws from the front of the tweeter and pulling it forward, or does the ‘nested’ top assembly have to be extracted??
Thanks

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Owner manual here:

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The whole assembly does not need to come out but you want a quality soldering iron. When I did mine I had a small table offered up to the speaker to make the swap.

Have you confirmed the mounting points are correct?

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Try very hard to find new old stock of the right tweeters first. The problem is the connector location. Here’s how the originals look.

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I’d just unscrewed the spring plate at this stage, it helps if you have something with a flat top the right height to rest them on.

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from the side for the number

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The new replacement Scanspeak tweeters appear to have the connectors coming out of the sides - see the pic below;

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This means you will most likely need to make some small modification to the retaining ring and maybe even the sprung plate and cabinet (difficult to say for sure without having tried).

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Hi Garyi

Yes the diameter of the replacement tweeter and the PCD of the fixing holes are the same.
Thanks for your response.
R

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Thanks Chalshus
I have the PDF of the original manual - I worked at Naim for 20 or so years but never involved with loudspeakers hence my ignorance!
R

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HI Richard
How are you these days I (Ricky Haines) worked at Naim for 20 or so years so I remember you well! I was in the test lab originally and did the last 10 -15 years in Test Engineering you may not remember me as our paths rarely crossed other than in the Naim refectory.

Yes, the terminal placement is a little bit of a pain but I am sure I can sort something out.
Thing is I am not sure that the tweeters in my units are actually shot my age (73) and tinitus may be all that is making the performance of my system but I am happy to indulge myself with some new ones.
The reason I suspect them is that I had a rather unfortunate and embarrassing moment when I was running them active, a disconnection by mistake with power still on created a very load squawk from the treble amp in both channels.
Could just be me, imagining the worst of course!
Do you know if anyone has remarked on the sound of the Scanspeak ‘replacement’ units?
Cheers Richard,
R

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Thanks fro your response Yeti.
The pictures made me brave enough to withdraw mine and have a loook at the issues that my arise from the new design of the replacement>
Cheers
R

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Of course Ricky, good to know it’s you and nice to see you on here.

Ah yes, the dreaded squawk - I think most of us have done that at least once!

I’m not sure whether any of the usual Naim “ears” have heard the new tweeters. You could try asking Robin what he thinks, or try getting in touch with Mark Raggett or Jason Gould and see what they think.

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Heard that Jason is either off for 2 months for his long overdue hip operation……or very shortly. If you manage to speak to him……wish him all the best from the forum.

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That’s right Gaz. He was in a good deal of pain when were at the factory a few weeks back. I think I can speak for us all in wishing him the very best with the op and looking forward to his speedy recovery afterwards.

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If it’s any comfort or consolation my friend’s active DBL system suffered a catastrophic midrange failure last year. The midrange units, as you may know, are now no longer available. Fortunately, one of the forum members took his DBL mid and tweeter cabinet to Scanspeak where they measured the midrange profile and matched it very well with a current drive unit that is still in production. There is some minor modification needed to get it to fit but after refitting a brand new pair of midrange drive units to my mates DBL’s he said that the replacement foam covers he’d bought made more of a difference than the new drive units!

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Thanks Richard,
I think if memory serves me right the tweeters are bonded to the spring mounting with a gasket ‘glue’, is this the one by any chance?
Hylomar F/HMMS00C/040G 40g Universal Blue
I got this product number from amazon.
Cheers
Ricky

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It’s Blue Hylomar, yes.

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Thanks Richard.
I have ordered the D2010/852100 replacements from Falcon.
I will post when I have updated my NBL’S and auditioned them…
Cheers
R

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Originally made for RR Derby for Merlins and the like…

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We used the Aerograde stuff Ricky - PL32M

Regards
Neil.

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That is exactly what RR used to use, when I was there…!!

Search for ‘pl32’ - Hylomar Aerograde PL32.

But… Less is More. Don’t use too much…!! Its corrosive.