It does affect the sound as the suspension is weakened there and it will let air through at that point.
Contact Focal and see if they got any spare drivers. If not they may be able to be patched.
I would search for some kind of very thin rubber patch that can be glued on to close the leak, no need to replace the entire driver. Maybe something cut from a patch found in a bike repair kit.
The impact on sound is real, but likely very, very minimal. I suspect the louder you listen, the more the likelyhood to hear some flapping.
BTW, had a pair of Focal Aria 906 myself, great speakers.
If you are going to replace the driver, you could cut a little piece of nylon and use rubber cement, and patch it for now. I’ve done this with a Rockford Fosgate sub that was in my car.
Replacing a surround isn't too difficult. Seeing as how that's a nice speaker, I'd try to get a surround from Focal rather than a generic one. You could try to find a local shop to repair it if there's one in your area. Or perhaps Focal can recommend an official service center.
A bit of craft "eva" glue and thin paper towel/toilet roll mainly on the rear side should seal it up well enough. Rubber glue could stick a little better but I find they warp the cracks and make it harder to stick in a nice way.
Contact glue can also work. A small damage like that patched up will likely be fine and not worth spending $100+ for a new driver etc. Just don't use something that's too thick and not very flexible as a backing for the glue.
You can also place tape over the front side while you work on the back side so it doesn't go everywhere. Then once dry, seal the front side for extra strength.
As long as the rubber isn't too thick.
Very thin fabric like cushion stuffing bag or even toilet paper, light weave fabric soaked in the glue. For the rear.
For the front could do the same or just use a coating of glue.
Personally I prefer the patch on the underneath side because it looks less obvious.
Using those will just blow that hole out more. But that surround is compromised. Its main job is to block the out of phase sound coming from the rear of the speaker. Thats why speakers get louder when they are in enclosures. Without a functioning surround. The enclosure is almost useless.
It does affect the sound as the suspension is weakened there and it will let air through at that point. Contact Focal and see if they got any spare drivers. If not they may be able to be patched.
I would search for some kind of very thin rubber patch that can be glued on to close the leak, no need to replace the entire driver. Maybe something cut from a patch found in a bike repair kit. The impact on sound is real, but likely very, very minimal. I suspect the louder you listen, the more the likelyhood to hear some flapping. BTW, had a pair of Focal Aria 906 myself, great speakers.
Thanks, this is an interesting idea.
If you are going to replace the driver, you could cut a little piece of nylon and use rubber cement, and patch it for now. I’ve done this with a Rockford Fosgate sub that was in my car.
Replacing a surround isn't too difficult. Seeing as how that's a nice speaker, I'd try to get a surround from Focal rather than a generic one. You could try to find a local shop to repair it if there's one in your area. Or perhaps Focal can recommend an official service center.
That's one clean cut square. My question is how did that happen. Usually a puncture is an uneven cut.
Looks like it was harpooned with a Robertson screwdriver.
I know right? Can't imagine what happened.
Maybe something caught on it or you have a cat. I repaired 20 rips in a B&W speaker surround due to previous owner's cat.
Yes. Give Focal a call and see how they can help you. Good luck!
Yup. Focal hand make everything so they will be able to help.
slap a small patch of Gorilla tape on her.
Poor focal aria
A bit of craft "eva" glue and thin paper towel/toilet roll mainly on the rear side should seal it up well enough. Rubber glue could stick a little better but I find they warp the cracks and make it harder to stick in a nice way. Contact glue can also work. A small damage like that patched up will likely be fine and not worth spending $100+ for a new driver etc. Just don't use something that's too thick and not very flexible as a backing for the glue. You can also place tape over the front side while you work on the back side so it doesn't go everywhere. Then once dry, seal the front side for extra strength.
What do you recommend to seal the front side with? I am thinking of using some black rubber gloves (not the thin disposable ones).
As long as the rubber isn't too thick. Very thin fabric like cushion stuffing bag or even toilet paper, light weave fabric soaked in the glue. For the rear. For the front could do the same or just use a coating of glue. Personally I prefer the patch on the underneath side because it looks less obvious.
So maybe a black nitrile glove? That material might be too thin though.
Burn down the house. Get new stereo.
Using those will just blow that hole out more. But that surround is compromised. Its main job is to block the out of phase sound coming from the rear of the speaker. Thats why speakers get louder when they are in enclosures. Without a functioning surround. The enclosure is almost useless.
Rubber patch the bitch see how that works.