How to Recone a Subwoofer?

As you know, a new subwoofer beats the low frequency well after a break-in period in any sound system. But as it ages, it starts loosening its functionality.

There could be many reasons for such an unfortunate, but having an old cone is the major issue restricting the subwoofer’s ability to hit the deep bass. 

Therefore, reconing a speaker is essential in ensuring that your audio system performs at its best. It can be intimidating for those who are new to the process, but with some patience and attention to my guide, anyone can learn how to recone their own subwoofer.

What Is a Subwoofer Reconing?

I have met with so many beginners who don’t know the definition of a subwoofer reconing. If you’re a total beginner, you must know that sub reconing is replacing the old subwoofer cone and its components with a new one.

As mentioned above, this process is necessary when parts are damaged or worn out due to use. The cones of subwoofers are made from paper, plastic, fabric, or other materials that vibrate with low-frequency sound waves. The process involves:

• Taking apart the unit.
• Removing the damaged cone.
• Replacing it with a new one designed to fit correctly so it can work properly and efficiently.

The process may also involve adding new adhesives, gaskets, and dust caps as needed for proper installation. However you may call a professional for a quick fix, but it will cost you money and time.

Why Do You Need to Recone Your Subwoofer?

Here are the possible reasons that will help you to decide when you should recone your subwoofer:

• Accidental Damage: According to my experience, the no.1 reason that makes people call me to recone the subwoofers is damage. The damage could be due to accidentally hitting the speaker cone with sharp external objects, creating a tear or wear in it, or it could be due to falling off a heavy thing on the subwoofer, damaging the cone, voice coil, spider, or surround. However, accidental damage also causes the subwoofer to blow. Therefore, you must recone it to fix a blown subwoofer.
• Subwoofer Aging: Like any other living thing or artificially made things by humans, they tend to lose functionality as they age. The same happens to the subwoofer as it experiences degradation over time due to aging. Over time, the surroundings may break down, the cones become fragile, and voice coils no longer function correctly.
• Upgrading or Customization: I have met with some audiophiles who just need to upgrade their cones for better performance (even If their old cones are working fine). We may call this a DIY project. You can enhance the subwoofer’s sound quality, power handling, or frequency response to better suit your preferences by replacing specific components, such as the cone or voice coil, with higher-quality or specialized alternatives.

Steps to Recone a Subwoofer Properly (Like an Expert):

I hope that I haven’t wasted your time by sharing some essential information. Let’s get back to our main topic, where I will teach you how to recone your subwoofer or speaker like a pro.

Just follow each step carefully before going to the next one, or else you may disrupt the whole process:

1. Gather the Required Equipment & Tools:

Before you start implementing, I want you to give yourself some time to gather the required materials so that you won’t get stuck during the process. Here is the list:

• A putty knife or blade bottle
• A screwdriver
• Soldering iron with fresh solder
• Heat gun or hair dryer (optional)
• Wire cutters and strippers
• Tweezers or needle-nose pliers
• Some pieces of cleaning cloth
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Work gloves
• A hammer and chisel
• ¼” Shim or stock paper (If required)

2. Remove the Subwoofer From Enclosure (If Required):

If your subwoofer is mounted to its enclosure, it is impossible to start the reconing process. Stay calm! You can skip this process if your subwoofer is already out of the box.

However, you must remove the subwoofer from its enclosure to access all areas of the subwoofer coil, and other components can be easily accessed and inspected.

It will also make it easier to apply adhesive to secure pieces in place during the recone process and keep any debris from entering or falling back into an enclosure and potentially damaging other parts or wiring.

Use the screwdriver to unscrew the subwoofer from the box and place it on a flat surface (facing the subwoofer upward).

3. Remove the Damaged, Old Components:

Now follow the below steps carefully:

1. Begin by removing the gaskets using a chisel and hammer. Take caution not to damage the subwoofer frame during this process (Apply small force to the hammer).
2. Next, you can use a steel putty knife (you can also use a utility knife) or blade to cut through the adhesive or glue, holding the soft parts of the speaker together, including the surround (Ensure you don’t hit the voice coil with it).
3. Now move to the spider’s part. You must remove the spider, which is part of the suspension system of the subwoofer. Cut it carefully to detach it from the subwoofer frame. (For cleaning the spider, you can spray a small amount of acetone onto a cleaning cloth and gently rub it.)
4. Disconnect any wires that are connected to their respective terminals. You may need to use a soldering iron to altogether remove the cables. Take caution while working with the soldering iron, and follow appropriate safety measures.
5. Clean the terminals using the soldering iron, ensuring they are free from debris or old solder.
6. Lift the dust cover from the speaker, which will expose the cone and coil assembly. Use a damp cloth to gently clean the assembly, removing any accumulated dust or dirt.
7. Lastly, examine the outer edges of the cone and use a knife or blade to trim off any remaining material.

Please note that reconing a subwoofer requires careful attention to detail and adherence to specific instructions provided with your speaker reconing kit.

4. Clean Your Voice Coil and Gap:

Now! It’s time to clean the essential parts. (Don’t ignore this step, or else you need to deal with improper reconing and distorted sound). Follow the below steps:

1. You can use a ¼” shim or paper (most recone kits provide that paper) that you can fold in half to create a sturdy tool for cleaning.
2. Get a piece of masking tape over the folded shim, ensuring that the sticky side faces outwards.
3. Next, you should gently insert the shim with the tape into the small gap where the voice coil is located. You can find the gap at the center of the subwoofer.
4. Slowly remove the shim while paying attention to any dirt or debris that sticks to the tape. Repeat this process a few times until the tape comes out clean without any leftover dirt or particles.
5. Cover the voice coil with a fresh piece of masking tape to ensure thorough cleaning. Press the tape gently against the coil and then remove it to check for any remaining dirt or debris.
6. Repeat the tape cleaning process until the tape shows no signs of capturing any dirt or small particles.
7. Once you’re satisfied that the voice coil is clean, protecting it during the next steps is important. You should cover the voice coil with masking tape to prevent any accidental contamination.
8. If your subwoofer has voice coil shims (thin pieces of material used to center the voice coil), place them carefully in the gap around the voice coil.
9. Now, it’s time to address any visible dirt or debris on the voice coil or its surroundings. Moisten a clean cloth with a small amount of acetone (nail polish remover).
10. Gently wipe the voice coil and surrounding areas with the acetone-soaked cloth. This will help remove any remaining dirt, metal fillings, or visible debris that might affect the subwoofer’s performance.

5. Grinding or Sanding the Small Leftover Particles From the Old Cone:

There will be small leftover particles (attached through the strong adhesives) on the driver. These leftover particles can include old adhesive, remnants of the cone material, or any other debris that might affect the performance and fit of the new components.

Please don’t ignore them; otherwise, they will disrupt the new speaker cone adhesive. Before starting the grinding (you can use a sharp scraper tool for grinding) or sanding, please follow some considerations:

• Get masking tape or painter’s tape to cover the magnet and voice coil gaps. This tape will help act as a barrier, preventing any small black particles from entering these sensitive areas.
• First, cover the magnet gap carefully by placing the protective tape over it. Make sure it fully covers the exposed magnet surface. Press the tape firmly to create a tight fit.
• Next, apply the protective tape over the voice coil gap, ensuring it completely covers the area where the voice coil is located. Gently press the tape to ensure it adheres securely.

Now, it’s time for grinding and sanding. Follow the below steps carefully:

1. You can use a heat gun or hair dryer to smoothen the targeted area. The warm air will loosen up the particles.
2. Next, you can use fine-grit sandpaper or a grinding tool to gently remove the small leftover particles from the surface of the subwoofer frame. Please don’t apply too much force, as it may damage the suspension unit on the subwoofer. Ensure you perform this task on all the areas where the affected cone was attached to eliminate any residual debris.
3. After you are satisfied with the sanding or grinding process, you can use a brush or soft cloth to clean the surface and remove any loose particles. You can also use a vacuum pump to suck in even the smallest particles. You can also use an air compressor.
4. Next, you should remove the masking tape that you used to cover the gaps to prevent particles from getting in.

6. Install the New Recone Kit:

Now, you have prepared the subwoofer to install the new recone kit. Carefully follow the below steps:

1. I hope that you haven’t forgotten to get a speaker cone that has the exact dimensions as the old one to fit into your subwoofer’s driver snuggly. The recone kit will also give you paper (to center the voice coil), a new spider, and a surround beside the speaker cone.
2. Use the provided paper and fold it at 365°. Once folded, please insert it into the voice coil gap and make sure the paper is attached with gap edges (not with the glue because you’ll have to take it out after aligning the voice coil in the center.
3. Next, dry-fit the spider and place it on the subwoofer’s unit. Make sure it is aligned correctly in the center. Once you are satisfied with the alignment, uplift the spider and apply a small amount of glue on its edges. Once done, press down the surround on the same spot. And leave it for some time to dry before taking the next step. No, you should not use the heat gun or dryer on the spider.

7. Gluing the Remaining Parts:

Now, it’s time to apply the adhesive to the speaker cone. Some recone kit providers give manufacturer’s guidelines. Don’t forget to read them. Take care to use the glue evenly and avoid excess that could interfere with the subwoofer’s performance. Please follow the below parts:

1. Before applying the adhesive, test out the speaker cone’s alignment and size. So, we’ll just dry-fit the new cone onto the subwoofer frame, aligning it correctly with the subwoofer coil and spider. Ensure that all the components fit snugly and securely. Once you are satisfied with the results, you can move to next step.
2. Now, apply some adhesive glue on the edges of the cone and press down gently to help the adhesive bond the components together.
3. Next, it’s time to give the adhesive sufficient time to dry and bond the components. You can run your fingers to the glued area to fasten the process. Refer to the recone kit instructions for the recommended drying time. Avoid any movement or disturbance during this period to ensure a strong and secure bond.
4. It doesn’t end here. It’s time to align the lead wires respectively. You should run the wires through the holes on the side of your housing unit (Later, you will use these wires to connect them with the terminals soon).
5. Once everything has been attached, you should remove the shim or the paper (that you used to center the voice coil).

8. Install the Dust Cap:

Prepare the dust cap and surface for installation. It is essential to ensure optimal results as dust cover keeps the sand from going inside:

1. Ensure you have the appropriate dust cap matching your subwoofer’s specifications.
2. Clear away any debris to ensure a smooth surface for attachment.
3. Apply a small amount of recommended adhesive or glue to the outer rim of the dust cap before positioning it over the center of the subwoofer cone.

When finished, align it properly to appear symmetrical, pressing gently to secure it. After applying light pressure evenly across all sides of the dust cap, allow ample drying time as indicated by manufacturer instructions before disturbing or moving it again.

9. Reassemble the Subwoofer:

Don’t test out the performance right after reconing your subwoofer successfully, as it will damage the whole process. Before testing or reassembling the subwoofer to its enclosure, you should wait at least 24 hours to properly.

Until that time, you should keep the subwoofer in an upright position. After the wait is over, you should connect the terminals with the lead wires to perform a subwoofer test.

Things to Consider:

Here are some essential things that you should consider:

• Familiarize Yourself: Before starting the process, I would consider you to take some time to read the manual guide provided with your recone kit. Ensure you understand the specific requirements and steps tailored to your subwoofer model.
• Safety Precautions: Don’t underestimate the safety measures! Work in a well-ventilated and lighted area. Consider wearing appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and a dust mask. You should protect your eyes and respiratory system from any potential debris.
• Patience and Precision: Don’t be a guy who doesn’t have any patience. I have seen people who have damaged the entire audio system by doing the work impatiently. You should work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging delicate components and ensure a successful outcome.

General FAQs