The mid generation of Energy 22 speakers are currently finding that a lot of their tweeters have failed. I have an early generation Energy 22 the one with 3 posts for attaching the speaker grill, and a mid generation with the four inverted holes for the speakers grills and the post were mounted on the grill verses on the cabinet. The third generation before the Energy 22.2's saw the tweeter deviate from an aluminum plate to a 1/4 thick plastic plate.
Unfortunately Chris Coote from ABI Tech is no longer rebuilding the tweeters, Vancouver Speaker Clinic can re tinsel the leads going to the voice coil if this is where your failure is. If you have a burnt voice coil then you are out of luck. By the way the guys at Vancouver Speaker clinic do excellent work and I have had them fix a JBL T35i tweeter.
The Energy 22 tweeters that I used for this project the guys at Vancouver Speaker Clinic tried to fix for me and if you look close enough you can see the tinsel leads they tried to use. So these are my guinea pigs.
So owners have scratched their heads on how to solve 2 problems with finding a replacement, one is the 1500hz crossover point and the other is the face plate is 5 3/8 in diameter. Most modern day replacements do not have a face plate that size leading to further modifications.
A few tricks that have been tried including myself is using an EPI or Epicure tweeter, the Epicure tweeters were crossed over at 1800hz and almost fit the front baffle cutout.
Another talked about replacement is using Sound Dynamic tweeters as straight drop ins but from what I have read the Sound Dynamic tweets are a bit hot for the 22's.
The most talked about off the shelf replacement is a Dayton Audio RS28F-4 silk dome or a Vifa Dual Ring Radiator Tweeter. Both would require extensive baffle work to get them to fit.
I was always looking for a solution and finally one popped into my head the Vifa OC25SC65-04 tweeter, although it runs at 4 ohms the rest of the tweeter could work. Below are the specs for the tweeter. Here is the Tymphany PDF.
Anyway of on with the walk through, after all that's why you clicked this story.
First up we have the tweeter pulled apart, as above.
Next is sizing up how it is going to look mounted on the back or should I mount it on the front?
Next I had to fill the old screw and lead holes with silicone.
While the silicone was drying I added new connectors to the speaker wire, blue is negative and yellow is positive.
Next I pinched the soldered leads to the post for a better fit for the face plate modification. I decided that I wanted the tweeter mounted on the front and not the back for diffraction issues.
Next was filing the plate to mount the tweeter.
Tweeter now fits in.
Next I added silicone to glue them in and seal any gaps.
I bought some 1/8" closed cell foam similar to the original foam on the plates and added a felt ring around the tweeter to help cosmetically.
I have them installed and I am really enjoying my Energy 22's again. I have A/B them against my other Energy 22's that are stock and the modded pair are have a bit more energy in the highs but they sound fantastic and image great. No they don't sound like the originals but they do sound close.
Email me if you have any questions.
Unfortunately Chris Coote from ABI Tech is no longer rebuilding the tweeters, Vancouver Speaker Clinic can re tinsel the leads going to the voice coil if this is where your failure is. If you have a burnt voice coil then you are out of luck. By the way the guys at Vancouver Speaker clinic do excellent work and I have had them fix a JBL T35i tweeter.
The Energy 22 tweeters that I used for this project the guys at Vancouver Speaker Clinic tried to fix for me and if you look close enough you can see the tinsel leads they tried to use. So these are my guinea pigs.
So owners have scratched their heads on how to solve 2 problems with finding a replacement, one is the 1500hz crossover point and the other is the face plate is 5 3/8 in diameter. Most modern day replacements do not have a face plate that size leading to further modifications.
A few tricks that have been tried including myself is using an EPI or Epicure tweeter, the Epicure tweeters were crossed over at 1800hz and almost fit the front baffle cutout.
Another talked about replacement is using Sound Dynamic tweeters as straight drop ins but from what I have read the Sound Dynamic tweets are a bit hot for the 22's.
The most talked about off the shelf replacement is a Dayton Audio RS28F-4 silk dome or a Vifa Dual Ring Radiator Tweeter. Both would require extensive baffle work to get them to fit.
I was always looking for a solution and finally one popped into my head the Vifa OC25SC65-04 tweeter, although it runs at 4 ohms the rest of the tweeter could work. Below are the specs for the tweeter. Here is the Tymphany PDF.
Specifications: • Power handling: 25 watts RMS/50 watts max • VCdia: 1" • Impedance: 4 ohms • Re: 3.2 ohms • Frequency response: 900-28,000 Hz • Fs: 1,520 Hz • SPL: 90 dB 2.83/1m • Dimensions: Overall diameter: 1.6", Cutout diameter: N/A, Depth: 1".So I did no mods to the crossover and I am sure there is some shift there upwards in the frequency as the tweeter is 4 ohms and the crossover is designed around a 8 Ohm driver. The Energy has a 3rd order cross with an 18db slope and the Vifa tweeter has a resonance frequency around 1500hz so I figure this could work.
Anyway of on with the walk through, after all that's why you clicked this story.
First up we have the tweeter pulled apart, as above.
Next is sizing up how it is going to look mounted on the back or should I mount it on the front?
Next I had to fill the old screw and lead holes with silicone.
While the silicone was drying I added new connectors to the speaker wire, blue is negative and yellow is positive.
Next I pinched the soldered leads to the post for a better fit for the face plate modification. I decided that I wanted the tweeter mounted on the front and not the back for diffraction issues.
Next was filing the plate to mount the tweeter.
Tweeter now fits in.
Next I added silicone to glue them in and seal any gaps.
I bought some 1/8" closed cell foam similar to the original foam on the plates and added a felt ring around the tweeter to help cosmetically.
I have them installed and I am really enjoying my Energy 22's again. I have A/B them against my other Energy 22's that are stock and the modded pair are have a bit more energy in the highs but they sound fantastic and image great. No they don't sound like the originals but they do sound close.
Email me if you have any questions.
Hi - awesome write up. My 22's have the ESM1 tweeters fitted with original crossover. I think they were just dropped in. I would still love to find a higher end (or original) tweeter replacement as I tend to worry the ESMs with more demanding choral... Anyway, thanks for this. ACDalek (AKer) http://i.imgur.com/1UyCNSo.jpg
ReplyDeleteRecently dropped in a pair of Audax mid-tweeters as my Energy tweeters voice coils were O/C: https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/audax-soft-dome-tweeters/audax-tw034x0-1.3-textile-dome-tweeter-by-aac/ Simply superb 22's now - and a match, mid/high with my 80's Auratone T-6 (not 5C) near field studio monitors (used in all five control rooms at Manta Sound). Could do studio mixes on my 22's now!
DeleteYeah, a very good read. Thanks for posting the link on CAM. I haven't tried anything yet with the tweeters in my 22 Reference speakers but with only one working they're sitting in the basement collecting dust. I would be very curious to know how these sound a few months down the road.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
davelr
Would you like to sell your 22's? I have a set of pro 22's but the voice coil came loose on one of the woofers and although they now sound ok after shimming, gluing and all ... not perfect. a donor for a new woofer would be best.
DeleteThis looks like it could be a the best solution I have seen. My tweeters are currently at Vancouver Audio Speaker Clinic for repair but it looks like one of them had a blown voice coil. If that is the case, I will try your solution. I think there are a lot of people in the same situation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. Jerry
If you live in Vancouver you can drop by to audition the original 22's vs the 22's with the Vifa option before you attempt the project.
DeleteHi I'm currently trying a few things, I purchased a coil from ebay in China, of course its not a Energy diaphragm its just a coil with a dust cover and two wires, basically you cut out the old coil from the diaphragm with a razor and glue the new one in place on the old diaphragm and solder the wires, I also covered the magnet with a layer of packing tape and cut the centre out, End result fixed the tweeter for around $10/pair (7.4 Ohms). Sound Quality is 3.5/5 . This was just an Idea that worked. Basically a quick fix to kill time while I design a cover plate for a replacement tweeter that I'm currently working on. Jeff
ReplyDeleteI just got a Energy 22 with dead tweeter
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if i should try to do what you did.
From 1 to 10 .... how difficult was it for you?
Are you tech in this things?
I'm kind handy but i don't wanna screw it more.
Do you do some another changes likes capacitors , bla bla bla
let me know
Thanks a lot
Just a hobbiest, the project was not to hard if you are handy and have some basic tools.
DeleteI left the crossover as is, best if you do both tweeters at the same time.
You could always wait for a single tweeter to show on E-bay.
I believe that Dave's advice on leaving the crossover as is for this mod is correct. Because the 4 ohms impedance of vifa tweeter matches the original tweeter impedance. My energy reference 22 tweeters after repair have the impedance 4.3 and 4.5 ohms. In addition, the crossover of 22 indicates that there is a resistor of about 3 ohms in series with the tweeter. (http://www.humanspeakers.com/o/energy.htm)
DeleteI have a similar pair of Energy 22s, also both tweeters blown. How did you get the original tweeter off the plate? Does it just pry apart? I see a lot of glue in there, just thought I would ask before I start hitting things.
ReplyDeleteAlso sorry for the double post, but there is some writing on my tweeter plates that was reveled when I removed the foam. It is etched in, but hand written. It says: DIP AT 14,000.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean anything to you? Does my series perhaps have 14,000hz crossver point rather than 15,000?
The cross over is 1500hz, that writing could just be some internal writing from the manufacturer.
ReplyDeleteLeave the crossover as is as the Vifa tweeter will work at that crossover point.
The four screws hold the magnet to the face plate after that you need to pry the two apart
I have now, at long last, finished the repair outlined above. These speakers really do sound fantastic with th she tweeters in. No overly shrill at all. Very well matched considering they are a replacement not from the manufacturer. Very easy change. I'm breaking the tweeters in on their inaugural listen with JJ Cale and Eric Clapton: Road to Escondido. Big thanks to the host.
ReplyDeleteEscondido mix is way to flat - no dynamic range to speak of - and an insult to JJ considering the quality of his own mixes, especially the 'Naturally' album on CD. Am testing my re-tweetered 22's with 'Steely Dan, Babylon Sisters', Bruce Cockburn, Hills of Morning' (both used as references at Manta Sound in the 80's). Also must recommend Alan Taylor HD as several tracks really show off the 28Hz capability of the 22's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFo2wvQEm_s&index=2&list=RD51EdVaSJiss
Deleteany worry about power handling rating of the new tweeter in the system or the 4ohm nature?
ReplyDeleteWould this work for the energy 22 reference connoisseur?
ReplyDeleteYes it will
DeleteWith an Fs of 1500 hz that tweeter should be crossed at no less than 3000 hz.You'll be burning it out in short order.Fs should be at minimum 1/2 of the crossover frequency.Replacing a high end tweeter with a $17.00 one is ruining a classic speaker.
ReplyDeleteTotal bad info here.With an Fs of 1500 hz that tweeter shold be crossed at minimum of 3000 hz.Just look up that on other sites.Replacing a high end tweeter with a $17.00 one is one way to ruin a classic like the Reference Connosieur. Chris Coote still rebuilds these tweeters. He is the only person around that can rebuild them properly.
ReplyDeletePlease do share how to get in touch with Chris Coote, I tried for at least a year and never heard back from him.
DeleteMost sources indicated that he no longer fixed these tweeters.
BTW Al, if you read the article, I attempted to fix this tweeter via Chris Coote and Vancouver speaker clinic. Although Chris still has a web site up he fails to respond via his contact, i tried calling him also by looking up his number.
DeleteIf Chris is still in business great! At the time his failure to respond for over a year one would draw to the conclusion he is no longer in business.
That being said Vancouver Speaker Clinic suggested the dual ring tweeter from Vifa mounted on a masonite board to fit the cut out.
I tried EPI tweeters also. The only solution I could think of that allows the use of the original plate is the Vifa tweeter stated in the article.
Presently I stay clear of Energy 22's as this hobby is drifting towards tube amps and speakers that are far more efficient than Energy's. In fact I would take a pair of EPI 100's over a pair of Energy 22's.
Failure for Energy 22's is a common occurance at this age and parts are getting harder to come by.
It is too bad.
If Chris Coote is still in business have him contact me through this blog and I would be happy to link his services to this blog.
In the meantime Al, I am open to publishing your walk through solution to this problem, I would be more than happy to post it here on this site.
chris@abitech.ca
DeleteAs far as a "walk through solution" here it is .I just had him re do 2 of my ref con tweeters 2016-10-19.He is a pilot and does this part time now so I don't know how he responds all the time however he replied to me right away (within a day). I guess it depends on his flight schedule.With his email above you can contact him and discuss linking his services.
This article was written 3years ago, so maybe Chris is answering emails now.
DeleteThe guy who offered to replace my 22's O/C tweeters voice coils and re-fluid in 2014 is in Halifax and still in the biz: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/142258564322?ul_noapp=true
DeleteGlad to hear, at the time of writting this post Chris was no where to be found. Never answered my attempts to contact him and others in forums tried also to no avail.
DeleteThe Energy 22 is a great speaker but I have moved well beyond them now.
Have to thank you Dave for your tireless efforts at getting a solution for what can only be described as catastrophic failure of the Energy 22 tweeter. The 22's were arguably the best consumer Hi-Fi speaker ever made as Energy managed the bottom end like no other before or, arguably, since. It took the transmission line in the UK PMC studio line to get a break through. The mid 80's Auratone T-6 near fields (Audax tweeter) matched the MEG mains monitors in the 5 control rooms at Manta Sound, so dropping in an Audax for the Energy tweeter made sense to me and proved to be the solution. Best regards.
DeleteCris Cotts is still in biz. he answered my email 8 weeks ago, he sells refurbished original tweeters, on ebay for $ 500.00 CA. I purchased my mid gen 22s about 2 months ago, the tweeters still sound great in mine.
DeleteYes once again thank you... This article was written 4 years bac and many attempts to contact Chris failed at time of writting. In fact many forums also had postings with the same problem I had.
DeletePlease read the article first note when it was written before respoding in the comment section.
For what it is worth I have moved way past Energy 22's in this journey. Yes they are good speakers but there are a lot better to be had. The 22's would not work well with tube gear due to fact that they are really inefficient and require lots of power, hence the blown tweeters.
Would the vifa's work on the 22.3?
ReplyDeleteI am not sure, I have not tried it.
DeleteEnergy 22.3 has an extra woofer to my 22.2's - a decade younger than the 22's. Suggest try eBay for replacement tweeters as the tweeter port in the extruded glass bead impregnated low resonance baffle is 2": http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649047380-energy_222_speakers/images/547813/ Crossover could be the sticking point, its 1.5Khz on the 22's?
ReplyDeleteI had a paid of faceplates machined for these tweeters Manufacturer PEERLESS
ReplyDeleteTweeter Type Silk Dome Tweeter
Cone / Dome Diameter 25mm
Impedance 6 ohms
Power Handling (RMS) 225W
Resonance Frequency 650 Hz -20,000 Hz
Sensitivity 91 dB
below is a pic of the faceplates.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PY0QsZ0huw8/WYEYQezjYKI/AAAAAAAACH8/FdpQ8XQDfcEQ0yF4NoGAR7W7Fo2SW1sywCL0BGAs/w530-d-h397-p/tweeter%2Bplates.jpg
The faceplates came in today and they sound excellent, you wouldn't believe how good the silk dome Vifa/Peerless D27TG-35-06 sound in the 22's, its a perfect match, The tweeters are bright and don't over power the woofer, They are equalled in db/m. It really does blow me away how good the combination sound together. Below is a pic of it installed. http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?attachments/20170810_132211-jpg.983143/
ReplyDeleteAnother option is to fix the Energy 22 blown tweeter. I just fixed mine. I disconnect the voice coil at one end then unwind it until it reaches a broken wire. Then, solder the broken end together. Rewind the unwinded wires. Apply glue to fixate all the wiring. Replace the ferrofluid. Interesting that the tweeter voice coil resistance is measured at 4.5 ohms. The tweeter wire size is about 38 AWG; voice coil diameter is 21mm. There are about 28 wraps in 2 layers. It's not so hard to wind them all manually.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to bring back my legendary energy reference 22 to live. So do you!
That is some serious patience to perform what you described. Thank you for sharing
Delete@ Dave: True. It requires some good dexterity and a large magnifier (I use a nail service magnifier). Once you succeed in fixing the 1st tweeter, it becomes much easier to fix the 2nd one as your skill is getting better. In fact, it takes about an hour for me to fix my 2nd tweeter. BTW, I find a common failure mode of my 2 tweeters is that the broken wires are at the bends of the wire entering into the coil. Therefore, only one two two wraps of wire are to be unwinded. The less number of windings disturbed the less negative impact of the coil performance. A good tip for keeping the front foam intact when removing it is to alternatively apply isopropyl alcohol spray and slowly peel the foam a bit at a time. The glue on the foam has higher affinity to the foam so the glue stays with the foam. In reverse, I spray the alcohol on the glue side of the foam to soften the glue and stick in back without using any additional glue.
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of Reference Connoisseur 22s that I got from George Baker in 1986 that i have been saving for years to fix. Both tweeters are blown. I don't have time, sadly. Anyone interested in buying them? I am in Barrie, Ontario.
ReplyDeleteIs there a link or someplace where I can read or see step-by-step instructions to clean the old and replace the ferrofluid? I'm a little gun-shy about prying this tweeter apart. Once I'm into it without wrecking anything I'll be fine. I'm mechanically inclined but not so good with electronics. Thanks in advance. Cheers.
ReplyDeletei just had my tweeters rebuilt by Chris C. from Halifax (appointment only) in june 2024, i always loved the sound out of them and kept them sitting for about 25 years then decided to get them running again. i figured for the money i couldn't come close to replacing them and i must say they have never sounded so good, i just bought an integrated class A tube amp witth class D power amp (Billie MK2) and they sound better than my luxman amp that were running them in the 80's/90's until it died. The bass, soundstage, vocals, and the holographic sound from the tubes are just fantastic and musical, what a combination!
ReplyDelete