Home theater speakers are very durable products. Many antique speakers that are decades old are still in use. Quality speakers can be passed down through three generations and remain valuable even after the original owner is gone.
Over time, dust can accumulate on speakers, and spills like juice or red wine may occur on the speaker unit. These factors can affect sound quality and potentially corrode or damage the speaker.
How to clean and maintain your speakers? Let's share it today.
**Clean the cabinet**
Common cabinet finishes include matte, glossy paint, plastic, metal, solid wood, and wood grain veneer. Glossy paint, plastic, metal, and solid wood should receive special attention.
Glossy paint is prone to showing fingerprints and oil stains. For example, the black piano finish of our Verus series is very durable and resistant to scratches. However, touching its surface with sweaty hands can be challenging to clean over time. In such cases, we recommend using furniture cleaning sprays, such as Pledge Furniture Polish Spray. Spray a small amount on the cabinet's surface and gently wipe it with our soft polish cloth. You'll find that stubborn fingerprints come off easily, and the glossy finish will look even brighter and more beautiful.
Metal surfaces can be sensitive to strong acidic or alkaline substances. For instance, if beer splashes on the speaker while watching a game, it should be cleaned immediately to prevent corrosion.
Solid wood can deform or crack if it remains soaked in liquid for too long, so prompt cleaning is necessary.
For general dust removal, start by wiping with a wet wipe, then use our soft polish cloth. When cleaning wood veneer speakers, make sure to wipe in the direction of the grain.
Tools needed:
Aperion soft polish cloth:
A pack of wet wipes:
A pledge furniture polish spray:
**Cleaning the speaker grille**
Many audiophiles dislike the grilles. After all, they cover the beautiful speaker driver unit and may also affect sound transmission efficiency.
However, the grille is particularly useful when children, pets, or others are around. They often have a strange curiosity and tend to touch your speaker unit.
Various types of grilles include plastic, wooden frames with sound-transparent cloth, and metal. While these grilles protect the speakers, the grille sound-transparent cloth tends to attract dust, pet hair, and other debris. It is important to clean the fabric periodically to maintain sound transmission efficiency.
If the grill is made of metal, clean it thoroughly. Begin by wiping away stains with wet wipes, then follow up with a dry rag. For stubborn stains, soak the area in water and use detergent to clean it. Make sure to dry the grill promptly to prevent rust.
Tools needed:
A link roller:
**Maintenance of Woofers**
Common materials used in woofer cones include plant fiber, polypropylene (PP), rubber, metal, fiberglass, Kevlar fiber, and paper. Some of these materials can be fragile, so it is important to handle them with care.
To clean paper and plant fiber cones, avoid using wet wipes. Instead, use a soft brush to remove dust gently. You can also use compressed air or a strong air blower to eliminate dust.
Waterproof materials like PP cones can be cleaned using wet wipes and a dry cloth. To prevent dents, avoid touching the dust cap (so as not to confuse it with the phase plug).
If the woofer's rubber surround is dirty or shows signs of aging and whitening, you can use Pledge Furniture Polish spray to clean the stains. However, be sure to avoid using corrosive liquids.
Tools needed:
A pledge furniture polish spray:
A can of compressed air duster cleaner:
**Cleaning the tweeter**
The tweeter is the most fragile part of the speaker, so please handle it carefully. Think of it like a DSLR lens！
Use compressed air to clean it gently from at least 10 cm away.
Especially for those metal dome tweeters, avoid poking it out of curiosity to prevent any damage.
If dust is stuck on a soft dome tweeter and cannot be blown off, you can try using transparent tape to remove it. Gently press the tape onto the dust and then pull it away. Repeat this process several times until the dust is removed. Be gentle, as applying too much force can damage the tweeter membrane, leading to costly repairs.
Tools needed:
A can of compressed air duster cleaner:
Tape:
**Cleaning the Binding Post**
The binding posts on the back of the speaker are often forgotten.
The binding posts are typically installed in a recessed terminal box. Over time, this box can accumulate dust and cobwebs. Keeping the speaker binding posts clean is important because it prevents dust from entering them when you plug and unplug the signal cable, which can affect sound quality.
First, keep the speaker cables connected. Make sure that your speakers are not in operation, as shorting out the binding posts could damage your amplifier.
Next, use compressed air to blow away any dust around the binding posts, including any recessed areas on the back of the speakers. Once most of the dust is removed, unplug the speaker cables and wipe the area with a clean or slightly damp cloth.
Finally, plug the cables back into the correct binding posts, and you’re all set!
**Environmental control**
1. Temperature: The speaker should function optimally from 18℃ to 45℃ to prevent extreme temperatures from affecting its performance.
2. Humidity: Ensure that the environment where the speaker is placed maintains appropriate humidity levels, avoiding extremes of either moisture or dryness.
3. Lighting: Avoid exposing the speaker to direct sunlight; it can cause bubbling on the box's surface or lead to the aging of electrical components.
4. Avoid listening to music or audio at high volumes for extended periods to protect your speakers and hearing health.
**Usage Habits Behavior**
-Power On and Off Sequence: When turning on the system, start with the audio source device, followed by the amplifier. To power down, switch off the amplifier first, then turn off the audio source device. Additionally, ensure that the speaker volume is set to the minimum to reduce any potential impact.
**Maintenance inspection**
This is a general procedure for maintaining and cleaning speakers. If you notice significant dirt, corrosion, oxidation, damage, or cracking, it's advisable to consult customer service or seek the help of a professional.
That's all for today. I hope you have a great time!
Welcome to our "Aperion University" series. Here, we will introduce you to basic acoustics knowledge and uncomplicatedly. We hope it will help you. If you like it, please follow us!
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