DCM TimeFrame 400 Series II Loudspeakers

 

This is a reference to the DCM TF-400 II it may be different on other models

DCM  speakers were a decent quality speaker from a well known speaker company that first brought us the famous TimeWindow in the 70's. 

TF-400 II speakers from the early 90's were a uniquely designed  floor standing speaker with 2 front woofers, 1 front tweeter and 1 rear tweeter in a transmission line speaker cabinet.

 

For those of you that would like to refinish or repair your TimeFrames here's how to open them up.

 

To remove the socks of the DCM TimeFrame 400 take a piece of wood and put it along the bottom edge (side) of the wood caps, take a hammer and gently tap the wood up, do this from side to side, the wood caps will start to lift then you will be able to lift off the caps without damaging them.

You will then have to peel off the sock material (just on the top and bottom because they are glued) but be careful not to remove the padded material from the speaker itself, just the sock material, after carefully removing the glued socks,  slide the socks down to access the speakers, to completely remove the sock you will have to remove the port tube, crossover screws and the bottom wood plate by removing 2 screws and a bolt that holds the pivoting support foot then peel off the sock material as it's held with spray adhesive on the bottom too.

For new socks here's what you'll need

 

Materials Needed:

Speaker Cloth:  2.5 yards (with leftover material for smaller projects)

3M Super Spray 77 (for holding the top and bottom material to the speaker box)

1 small block of wood to tap the speaker tops off

 Phillips screwdriver to remove bottom wood plate and crossover

A medium size hammer

Access to a sewing machine (or in my case, a friend that can sew)

audiokarma.org member suggestions:  A member made a good point, here's his suggestion:

I would like to add a couple of suggestions if I may. If you have no plans to replace the sock just remove the bottom plate and roll the sock up. Also, before you replace your driver check the fuse lamp on the crossover as it is there to protect the tweeter. Keep up the good work. You gotta love that mahogany.
_________________

This is the first set I repaired, one having a bad tweeter (rear) and a slight rattle on bass notes.

Notice when you pull the socks down there is a foam-material underneath DO NOT TAKE THIS OFF!! (This is very important)

         

You can see by the picture below on the left side how the factory haphazardly finished the socks by cutting them (very sloppy if I might add but you won't see this anyway with the wood bottom on.

   

 

Without it's covering these speakers are not very attractive (once again do NOT pull this foam-material off)

 

After removing the speaker in question, I found that the rubber surround was separating from the woofer itself.

  

This speaker was repaired and works great!! I used 30-NF by 3M

It's a water based contact adhesive that bonds but remains pliable, it also dries clear with no smell and works great!!

 

 

Here are the pics of the second DCM tear down and the new speaker socks

Left to Right :  1. Back view   2. Front view   3. New Audax tweeter (Parts Express)  4. new sock   5. close up of new sock

               

 

Finished Speaker

Much Nicer than the old snagged and dusty socks

     

These speaker were fairly easy to re-cover.  First there is no need to taper the sock when sewing as you'll be able to cut off excess and pull it tight when installing the new sock.  There are others out there that used staples for attaching the socks, this is not needed nor recommended as the factory never used staples for the socks just a spray adhesive similar to 3M Super Spray 77 that's what I use and it works great!!

 

Update November 20th 2008

  I purchased another set of DCM TF-400's and this one too has a bad tweeter (front)  and will be replaced.   I am upgrading these TF with new Mahogany Caps (see pictures below)

                                     

SORRY FOR THE LARGE FILES ON THIS SET OF PHOTOS

 

 

new tf-400 series ii Speaker Caps

 

Just Received-The reason for the 2 tone is Because I stained it first to see if I liked the Color  Stained and With 2nd Coat of Lacquer- Notice I strayed from the original and left the corners sharp, rather than rounded- I just liked it better that way    4 coats of lacquer and filling in nicely!!

                                                                                       

 

A friend of mine has access to skilled wood workers at his job and a co-worker of his made these for me (never met the guy that made them, but he did a great job!!)  the wood is mahogany and will be finished in red mahogany with a gloss finish.

 Total cost is broken down below.......I hope that you won't be afraid to try and repair-refurbish your DCM TF-400's with the info I provided here.   If you can add to or correct me let me know.

 

Cost to restore for my TF-400 II's

$50 for the speakers

$15 for the Mahogany lumber

$19.24 for the speaker cloth

$10 for the production of the wood caps (nice to have friends) do it yourself if you can and save.

$12.00 for wood stain and lacquer.

$8.00 for a replacement Audax tweeter (lucky I bought extras from PE) since they don't sell them now.

Total Cost:  $114.24

 

I couldn't touch a comparable pair of speakers like these from the store for $114.24 a pair

 

When I find another pair, I'll  try upgrading the woofers-tweeters with higher quality parts 

 

If you have any TF for sale and are in the Portland-Metro, Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia area please write. 


Thanks,

Steve Duran

steve@daicompacific.com

 

If you have any pictures of your DCM TF Speaker send them to me and I'll post them here 

 

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