Trystan Casey
The Western Electric 555 receiver, also known as the WE 555, is a compression driver used to drive large wooden theatre horns. The 555 was used on several horns supplied by Western Electric, most notably the 12A, a large snail horn used in motion picture theatres. The 555 driver is a remarkably simple yet complex device and rarely needs repairs. However, if you do need to fix a Western Electric 555 driver, you can attempt to build one yourself using pictures and measurements from the web, or you can contact a professional speaker repair shop.
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What You'll Learn
Reverse engineering and design
Reverse engineering and redesigning the Western Electric 555 driver requires a good understanding of its original design and function. The 555 driver, also known as a "compression driver", was designed by Western Electric and used in several horns, most notably the 12A, a large snail horn used in motion picture theatres.
The design of the 555 driver is detailed in US Patent 10707544, which includes information on its unique tangential compliance, developed earlier by Western Electric and used in the Victor Orthophonic phonograph. This tangential compliance was the work of Henry C. Harrison, who made significant contributions to the early development of electrical recording.
When reverse engineering and redesigning the 555 driver, one must consider the challenges of achieving low resonance and high excursion, which are critical in a compression driver. The suspension system plays a vital role in achieving this, and materials like mylar are recommended for their effectiveness and ease of sourcing.
The diaphragm is another critical component that is challenging to create at the DIY level. It is recommended to start the design process from the diaphragm and work down to the motor structure. Designing a phase plug for the diaphragm will also take significant time and consideration of parameters such as dome height and compression chamber height.
Additionally, when attempting to fix or rebuild the 555 driver, it is important to note that these units are very valuable, and any disassembly or repairs should be done carefully to avoid damaging the original structure. If one is not competent in performing such tasks, it is advisable to contact a professional speaker repair shop for assistance.
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Voice coil replacement
The Western Electric 555 receiver is a valuable piece of equipment, often selling for thousands of dollars. Due to its age, it may be necessary to repair or replace certain components to restore it to working condition. One such component that may need attention is the voice coil.
Voice coils are an essential part of any speaker or receiver, and they can become damaged or burned out over time. If the voice coil is not reading any resistance, as in the case of the Western Electric 555, it may need to be replaced.
Before attempting any repairs or replacements, it is important to carefully assess the condition of the driver and determine if you are competent in performing such a task. Opening the driver will leave signs of tampering, which may affect its value if you plan to sell it. It is recommended to contact a professional speaker repair shop if you are unsure about proceeding.
If you choose to replace the voice coil yourself, you will need to source a suitable replacement. You can find replica voice coils for the Western Electric 555 online, although they can be expensive. Alternatively, you could attempt to build your own replacement coil using measurements and pictures from the web, but this requires a certain level of expertise.
When replacing the voice coil, it is important to consider the suspension system, especially if the driver operates below resonance. Mylar is a suitable material for the suspension, and it can be sourced along with Ti diaphragms. The diaphragm is a critical and challenging component to manufacture, so it is important to plan the design work accordingly.
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Horn driver assembly
The Western Electric 555 is a receiver horn driver designed to drive large wooden theatre horns. It is a remarkably simple yet complex device that rarely needs repairs.
The design of the 555 driver is detailed in US patent 10707544. The driver used tangential compliance, which was developed earlier by Henry C. Harrison at Western Electric. Tangential compliance was also used in the Victor Orthophonic phonograph, a mechanical phonograph for playing electrical recordings.
The 555 driver closely resembles the patent drawing, with the W.E. engineers getting it right the first time. The driver operates below resonance, meaning the suspension system plays a critical role in compression. The best solution is to use mylar, which is easy to source, along with Ti diaphragms with mylar surround. The diaphragm is very hard to make at a DIY level, so it is recommended to start the design process from here.
The Western Electric 555 driver is valuable, with working units going for $3000-6000 on eBay. If you are not competent with repairs, it is recommended to contact a professional speaker repair shop to fix the driver.
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Suspension system
The Western Electric 555 receiver is a compression driver with a diaphragm/voice coil set within a dense electromagnetic structure. The suspension system of the Western Electric 555 is critical to its operation, as it operates below resonance.
To fix the suspension system of the Western Electric 555, you will need to address the diaphragm and voice coil. The diaphragm should be a "light piston-type diaphragm", as per the original design by Bell Labs engineers. When it comes to the voice coil, you have a few options. You can attempt to repair the existing voice coil if it is damaged, source a replica voice coil, or opt for a different type of coil.
If you choose to repair the existing voice coil, you will need to assess the damage and determine the appropriate repair method. This may involve soldering or other specialized techniques. It is important to note that attempting to repair the voice coil without proper knowledge and tools may cause further damage.
Another option is to source a replica voice coil. Replica voice coils for the Western Electric 555 are available for purchase, typically ranging from $600 to $650. These replica coils can be used to replace a damaged or non-functioning original coil.
Finally, you may choose to experiment with different types of coils, such as those made from mylar or titanium. Mylar, for instance, is considered a good alternative as it is easily sourced and can be paired with titanium diaphragms.
It is important to note that any modifications or repairs to the suspension system of the Western Electric 555 should be approached with caution and a good understanding of the underlying principles. The suspension system is critical to the performance of the driver, and improper modifications can lead to undesirable results.
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Tangential compliance
The Western Electric 555 driver was designed in 1929 by Wente and Thuras and is also known as the "compression driver". It is a legendary driver that provided seamless performance across a wide bandwidth, with a frequency range of 100-5000 Hz and an efficiency of 25%US patent 10707544, which includes the use of tangential compliance, developed earlier at Western Electric.
The Western Electric 555 driver features a thin aluminium-dome diaphragm, a corrugated surround, a phase plug, and a threaded mount that allows the driver to be fitted to a variety of horns. The diaphragm suspension compliance is an important aspect of the driver's performance, and it operates below resonance, which gives it a wider range.
When repairing or rebuilding a Western Electric 555 driver, it is important to consider the materials used for the diaphragm and suspension. Mylar is a suitable material for the diaphragm, and a thin flat rubber disk or a standard spider can be used for the surround. The design of the phase plug is also critical and time-consuming, and modern interpretations of the 555 driver, such as the Lamar Audio Model 1, have incorporated new features to improve performance and appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
You could contact a professional speaker repair shop like Simply Speakers in Florida and ask them about repairing it. Or you could list it for auction as it is, but be aware that no matter how careful you are, you will leave tiny signs that you've been inside the driver.
If you put an ohm meter across the pins and the field coil reads about 5 ohms but the voice coil is open and does not give a reading, this likely means the voice coil is burned open and your driver needs repairing.
The Western Electric 555 driver used tangential compliance, developed earlier at Western Electric and used in the Victor Orthophonic phonograph. The design of the driver is detailed in US patent 10707544.
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