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Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:27 pm
by ontime1269
I've searched the net to find out if dented dust caps affect speaker sound and can't find out a definitive answer. Some say yes, some say no. Some say dented dust caps affect midrange frequencies but not subwoofer frequencies. Does anybody know the definitive answer? Thanks.
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:44 pm
by ewetho
It would have to effect dispersion to some degree but so expensive drivers do have angles and what not in the cones dust caps so should not be tooooo big a deal. Looks bad though if you can see it.
Actually had an accident with one of my SLAs and we popped it back out after putting a tiny hole in it. Hard to tell now.
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:13 am
by Mikey
I've pulled dents out of dustcaps with a vacuum cleaner hose. Probably not the best idea, but it worked and I haven't screwed up any drivers doing it. Try it at your own risk.
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:29 am
by Israel
scotch tape on it and pull it up
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:41 am
by Rune Bivrin
I would say it depends on the dust caps. Some dust caps are more of a thin mesh that contribute nothing to sound. I don't think a dent will matter much with those.
A paper dust cap will be more important to reproducing highs, and even more so an aluminium one.
The big issue, however, is what the dented dust caps do when you push bass through the driver. A dented aluminium dust cap will very likely rattle since the structural integrity relies on a spherical shape. That rattle can be clearly heard. Been there...
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:52 am
by ontime1269
I tried using the vacumm cleaner but there just wasn't enough suction to pull it up. I tried using some duct tape and some gaffing tape but the adhesive wasn't strong enough on either of them. I'm about to head to Lowe's to try to find some tape with stronger adhesive. Hopefully it works.
But if the dented dust caps don't affect sound in any way, I'll just leave them be as they won't be seen. By the way, the speakers are S2010's. Do you think their performance will be affected by the dented dust caps?
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:41 pm
by mpm32
Take a needle or a fine pin and bend the tip into a little hook/L shape.
Poke it into the middle of your dent and use the hook/L to pull the dent out.
If you're worried about the hole, put some white glue on it.
I've done this many times after trying vacuum and tape first.
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:40 pm
by ontime1269
Yeah, I tried the tape and it didn't work either. I was trying to avoid poking a hole but I might have to. I wish I could test the speakers to see if there is a difference in the sound with a dented cap versus an undented. No built cabs yet, oh well.

Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:46 pm
by Bruce Weldy
ontime1269 wrote:Yeah, I tried the tape and it didn't work either. I was trying to avoid poking a hole but I might have to. I wish I could test the speakers to see if there is a difference in the sound with a dented cap versus an undented. No built cabs yet, oh well.

How many times have I told you young man? Bad things happen to your speakers when you play with them before they are married to a cabinet!
Re: Dented Dust Caps?
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:49 am
by wallywally
ontime1269 wrote:I tried using the vacumm cleaner but there just wasn't enough suction to pull it up. I tried using some duct tape and some gaffing tape but the adhesive wasn't strong enough on either of them. I'm about to head to Lowe's to try to find some tape with stronger adhesive. Hopefully it works.
But if the dented dust caps don't affect sound in any way, I'll just leave them be as they won't be seen. By the way, the speakers are S2010's. Do you think their performance will be affected by the dented dust caps?
In addition to the vacuum, blow into the pole vent at the same time. I have had to do this when the vacuum wasn't strong enough.