Subject line says it all - old drone cone cat scratched!

bump - OUCH!  

Odds of finding one is slim, unless used. If it gives you any comfort, my wife's cat scratched HER Forte passive radiators way back when as well, but they are still functional. Unless you are concerned with the cosmetic appearance, I would suggest that yours also appear to be operationally sound.

Chris

Have you called Klipsch? I only ask because I had a pair of 30+ year old KG-4s that I was going to replace the passive on and they still had them in stock. Ok they did cost more than I spent on the speakers but they did have one.  

 I've got KD12 passives from a set of KG4s. They are also 12".

As I understand them, the passive is only about surface area so they may not effect performance.

jtnfoley:

 I've got KD12 passives from a set of KG4s. They are also 12".

As I understand them, the passive is only about surface area so they may not effect performance.

If only things were that simple. 

I don't know for sure, but I think passive radiator performance is determined by the area, the mass, and the compliance or stiffness of the surround.  Does that mean a KD12 passive from a set of KG4s won't work?  No, but it does mean it might not work correctly unless it can be modified to match the passive from the Forte. 

Hopefully one of the experts will answer.

Is this on the front or on the back? 

I would try to ligthly sand the scratches and then fill them in with a latex caulk.  Be sure to use latex and not silicone.  After applying the latex, use a damp cloth to smooth it out so that it just fills in the scratches.  If the scratches are all of the way through the cone, use some superglue, fiberglass resin or silicone on the back to fix it.  Then, after it completely dries out (about one day) tape off the surrounds and the rest of the speaker and spraypaint the cone.  If you need an exact match, take the speaker to Lower or the Home Depot and have a quart of paint mixed that matches and brush it on (use a latex paint and thin it with water a little bit before painting) 

You would be surprised what can be fixed when you are creative.  I have some oxidation and very light surface pitting on some decorative aluminum parts that would not come off.  I used a candle to fix it.  I lit it and softened the wax (white wax) and then worked it into the aluminum with my hand.  The wax filled in the marks and they completely disappeared. 

 If the scratches have not actually sliced the cone, you probably do not need to do anything. The passive drone does not have the excursion of a true driver, it just vibrates some to use the back wave of the main woofer excusion to give a little bass extension. If you want to prevent it from happening again (presuming the cat is still around), you can buy woofer gratings or screens from Parts Express (less than $20 each) and screw them on for protection. 

If the cat's claws actually cut all the way through the paper, you may simply want to remove the cone from the cabinet, and glue on a couple layers of tissue paper underneath the scratches (that's gift wrapping tissue paper, not toilet tissue) using white glue. This will make for a perfectly functional fix, and a lot cheaper than a new cone.

RichardP:

The passive drone does not have the excursion of a true driver, it just vibrates some to use the back wave of the main woofer excusion to give a little bass extension.   (presuming

Actually, passives usually move more than the active drivers. 

The damage to your passive is a bummer, but still looks better than most I have had. The center cap is almost always pushed in and are typically faded from sun exposure.

Perhaps Klipsch technical can give you the added mass difference between the KD-12 and KD-13, KG-4's are plentiful and could donate a passive for the project. 

 rubber glue,or heated fabric glue,can even use  car tire repair glue.

also SKIN THE CAT!!!!

 only kidding i have a purry also,

 that's not so bad. is it air tight?

try a daub of fingernail polish (roadies only use clear lest their manliness be challenged) on the back of the cone or a bit of rice paper (we know where to get that) and some weldbond or other good wood glue to mend tears on the back side.

A passive typically has quite a bit of mass, a couple of grams of glue won't hamper performance a bit. 

colterphoto1:

 that's not so bad. is it air tight?

try a daub of fingernail polish (roadies only use clear lest their manliness be challenged) on the back of the cone or a bit of rice paper (we know where to get that) and some weldbond or other good wood glue to mend tears on the back side.

A passive typically has quite a bit of mass, a couple of grams of glue won't hamper performance a bit. 

 but don't paint the cat!!!!!!!!!!!