I've just picked up a pair of Rosewood S40s for £4 from my local tip.  The cabinets, with some of the nicest figured veneer I've seen in a while, are very restorable and the fabric, although dirty, is unbroken.  As usual, though, the bass drivers' foam surrounds have gone. 

However, I have a spare pair of 20cm/8inch bass units taken from a pair of S45.2s.  Would it be possible to use these in the S40s, and if so, are there are particular issues or concerns I should be aware of?  I appreciate the S45.2 cabinets are deeper, but I suspect that was to accommodate the phase-link unit rather than the 8" bass driver

Cleve

Bass (and indeed any) drivers tend to be very specific to the Beovox type, which also takes into account the cabinet volume, so a straight swap would probably be detrimental to the sound. Why not simply refoam the originals?

Chris.

Isn't the bass driver in the S40 an 8" one anyway? The Peerless one in the S45-2 is of better quality but should fit. The cross over will clearly be different but certainly worth a try!

Medogsfat:

Why not simply refoam the originals?

Chris,

It is something I considered but as I have spare pair of 8 inch drivers from a pair of S45.2s, I did think, like Peter, it might be worth a go, particularly as the Peerless drivers are so good and don't suffer foam rot. 

I'm also pretty technically incompetent - Tim Jarman has laughed at my soldering although it is getting better!

Cleve

I agree with Peter that it's worth a try & you won't lose anything by doing so. If you aren't happy with the results then I'll glady refoam the originals for you for the cost of parts & return postage.

If your soldering has improved enough to tackle the job then replacing the cap's on the crossovers while they are apart will also be a definate worthwhile task. I'm sure Martin (Dillen) will have a kit with picture & instructions.

Chris.

Medogsfat:

I agree with Peter that it's worth a try & you won't lose anything by doing so. If you aren't happy with the results then I'll glady refoam the originals for you for the cost of parts & return postage.

If your soldering has improved enough to tackle the job then replacing the cap's on the crossovers while they are apart will also be a definate worthwhile task. I'm sure Martin (Dillen) will have a kit with picture & instructions.

Chris.

Chris,

That's a terrific offer. 

Let me restore the cabinets - I seem to be OK at doing that - and then perhaps I'll get back to you. 

I made a real mess of replacing the capacitors on a pair of S45.2s (my second attempt at soldering) with a set from Martin, so I am a little reluctant to embark on changing the ones in the S40s, although as the overall cost is very low it is almost certainly worth another go.  And  without changing them I may never know just how successful the 'transplant'  has been.

Cleve

If you're reluctant to tackle them then send the Xovers too along with a kit & I'll do the lot.

Chris.

Medogsfat:

If you're reluctant to tackle them then send the Xovers too along with a kit & I'll do the lot.

Chris.

Chris,

Once again, that is really good of you.  I'll contact Martin about a cap kit, and get back to you, but it may be week or so as I am tied up with work and visiting family over the next week or so.

Cleve

No Rush Cleve, I won't be able to anything until the first/second week in July in any case due to comittments of my own

Chris.

Thanks Chris,

I've PM'd Martin Olsen about a cap set and he agrees fully with your original thoughts about refoaming the S40 drivers. 

I'll be in touch

Cleve