Best glue for a torn speaker cone?

hot glue or duct tape

hot glue

Whatever glue you use you’ll need to check that it remains flexible when dry.I don’t know if hot glue does. But the paper cone will vibrate and if the glue isn’t flexible it’ll just tear again around the edge of the glued part.

Sounds like it is torn right where it takes the most stress, on the edge. JBL of that vintage are probably “acoustic suspension” speakers and the edge not only takes mechanical stress of keeping the cone aligned it also seals acoustic pressure difference between inside and outside.

You may need to make a patch out of fabric with a very flexible adhesive – which is approximately @stratman37‘s answer : duct tape. Get the good stuff that is made to stick for years.

I have read that even the best glue/tape will never be as perfect as the original. You will lose some of the sound rendition because the cone will have lost some of its integrity. Don’t expect a perfect sound after the repair.

@elbanditoroso That’s definitely true, and the best repair is to replace the whole driver.
On the other hand, on a budget, I think it will actually be hard to beat duct tape, and that will be a lot better than nothing, especially if the units are ‘acoustic suspension’ which depend on the seal for good base output.

I would never put tape on the speaker. Just a little bit of that weight might change the sound from the speaker.

I have used Gorilla glue for many projects and it is one tough glue.

Also, JBLansing speakers are top of the line. Your speakers are really old and probably dry-rotted by now. Once you have made your repair, go easy on the volume you send to them. They may not be able to handle todays powerful amplifiers.

Its at WalMart.

My experience says that when the speaker cone is torn, the speaker is dead. Any method you use to patch it will either reduce sensitivity or generate a buzz sound. It is really time to buy new speakers.

If you’re not an “audiophile,” then sure, a little glue will fix it right up. If it’s a paper cone, use wood or paper glue, like Elmer’s. If it’s a poly cone, then plastic cement or super glue.

But gluing it will alter the mass of the cone ever so slightly, and even make it unbalanced. If you have “golden ears,” you may hear a slight difference in the sound.

If that doesn’t matter to you, then crank the music, dude!

@john65pennington If it can be glued and stay attached I agree the glue will weigh less and mess up the sound less than tape. but if this disintegration is at the edge of the cone, that sounds like the suspension ring around the cone that attaches to the driver frame.

If the suspension ring is shot from fatigue and you glue it, the glue could just rip the fragile stuff it’s attached to. If the suspension ring is shot you’d be better off replacing the whole driver of course, but tape will sound better than nothing until you get a chance to do that.

But maybe that’s not where the tear is, in which case glue’s a great idea.