Why foam surround?

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

I like the looks of accordion surrounds, and the JBL's I have are from 86' Still good as new
I think it is a paper surround coated with slime

Accordian slime surrounds last forever! Great choices for efficient woofers

 

[ktraughb 10+ year member]

Ive used a lot of those Premier subwoofers, and the surround is definitely tough and has the ability to probably stretch more than it should ever be stretched. lol. whats interesting about those subs is that they were originally designed, and i think still are, as a non-spider subwoofer. instead it kinda uses two cones and two surrounds opposite of each other. not sure how efficient this is, but ive definitely gotten some of these loud, and put ridiculous power to them without any failure, either to coil or surrounds. i know nothing else of what has been talked about, lol, but i have used those subs. ive wondered this question a lot in the past year or so as well, and its good to hear an answer from sub builders. i realize theres a benefit for uv protection in different rubber surrounds, and it has always raised a question to foam in the past few years. however, on that topic, ive used lots of high power foam surround subs in the past couple years, often with larger than recommended enclosures, way more power than rated etc, and not had any issues with the foam appearing to weaken or tear. ive heard some rubber surround subs that i really loved, and just the same with foam. most people learn that if you take care of something, it will last.

 

[Steveopevo 10+ year member]

It's very interesting to me that so many top notch companies are choosing foam over rubber. I've heard that modern foam formulas have eliminated the cracking/ ripping problem. Maybe some of the cheaper subs aren't using a high grade formula.

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

I've heard that modern foam formulas have eliminated the cracking/ ripping problem. Maybe some of the cheaper subs aren't using a high grade formula.

Correct.