JBL 8" Foam Speaker Repair Kit, JBL LE8, LE8T, 2115, FSK-7JBL (PAIR)

About 40 years ago, I bought a new pair of JBL Aquarius IV speakers. They worked well for 15 years and then started sounding horrible. I was afraid they either needed serious repair ($$$) or headed to the trash. But I held on to them for another 10 years in a closed and found a former JBL employee who told me that JBL quit making the repair kit a few years earlier, but suggested I hold on to the drivers, as they were likely serviceable. With a busy career, I didn't have time to do anything with them until I retired. I finally got them out and removed the speakers. The cones were actually in great shape, but the foam surround that attached the cones to the frame were literally dust. All the was left was a dirty crusty ring of ancient adhesive. With nothing to lose after 40 years, I contacted Simply Speakers and described my problem. They advised me how to go about my own repair using one of their kits. He quickly added that the most difficult was cleaning the old crud from the cone and frame. That takes time and patience. That piece of advice was critical. I got the kit, and using a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, I went through quite a few cotton swabs but cleaned the cone edge and frame. I re-watched the video for the foam replacement (Simply Speakers has numerous excellent videos) and also noted the special comments for my particular speaker (foam mounts from behind, not on top of the cone). I carefully applied their supplied glue and then let the speakers set overnight. The day, I applied a very low level signal and they produced sound with not problem. I then reinstalled in the original cabinet and hooked them up to my amp. I kept edging the volume higher and even at house filling volume, they sounded great. After 40 years, they really do sound like new. Very impressive and great product and support. As advised, be patient and thorough in the clean up and prep phase, and the rest is easy.

Years ago, I refoamed a couple of JBL PR-15 passive radiators using the white Elmer's style glue included in most refoam kits. Recently, I watched one of the Simply Speakers videos on refoaming and noted that they used a different kind of glue. I purchased one of their kits to refoam a JBL 112a which is similar to an LE-8. Although the foam itself fit perfectly, I had some problem using the glue. It's solvent-base and becomes tacky quickly. You have to be careful to keep it off of surfaces that you don't want it on. If you get it on your fingers, it will transfer easily to another surface. I had quite a bit of cleanup to do after installing the new surround. However, the finished speaker does look good and sounds great. In my opinion, the solvent-based glue is better suited to professional use and the white glue is better for amateurs as it is more forgiving and is water soluble. I have not yet tried the Foam Guard Sealer which I ordered with the kit.

This was a cost effective and interesting project replacing the foam surround on my 40+ year old JBL 8" speaker. I've paid others to replace just the foam or the entire cone two or three times before. The video was very helpful in showing how to go about the job.

fit very good

I have not used these yet but I have used their foam surrounds in the past on different speakers (15" JBL) with excellent results.

Excellent product and customer service. My old JBL LE8Ts with new surrounds are sounding like new after being out of commission for twenty years. Can't believe I almost threw them out. And the personalized help was above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks, Sean.

Great product. Easy to read and understand installation instructions.

The foam replacements fit perfectly and instillation went fine. Because of the style of these speakers the glue was applied on a 1/4 inch of metal, and the glue nozzle was to big for the amount needed. So excess glue was a bit of a problem. I would recommend a smaller tip on the glue tube for this type of instillation. Otherwise very happy with your product and support.

You guys are doing a great job! Your company contributes a lot to conserving our natural resources, by saving all these old speakers and not having to build new ones. The most environmently friendly product is the one NOT produced....keep on the good work. My inherited JBL 4315b from the late Willi Schmid ("the Shmeed trio") sound like new and are good for another 40 years!

Thanks to the very helpful how-to video and repair kit my faithful old JBL LE 8's are sounding as awesome as ever. I bought these speakers used in 1968 and they were re-foamed professionally in 1995. This time I did it myself and the results are fantastic thanks to the Simply Speaker kit, and the very helpful how-to video. So pleased to have been able to revive rather than replace such quality from the past.