Why Refurbishing Your PA Speakers Makes Financial and Environmental Sense

Before you invest thousands in new PA equipment, consider this: those weathered cabinets in your storage space might only need replacement components to sound as good as—or better than—they did on the day you bought them.

The reality is that PA speaker cabinets are built to last decades. What fails isn't the enclosure itself, but the components inside. Over time, paper cones weaken and deteriorate, high-frequency drivers lose their brightness, and transducers become significantly less efficient than modern replacements. That muddy sound you're compensating for with EQ? It's likely worn components, not cabinet design. 

Refurbishment typically involves replacing drivers, upgrading crossovers, and applying a fresh coat of textured paint to the cabinet. The wood enclosure—often the most expensive part of a quality speaker—remains perfectly functional. 

The Numbers Tell the Story

Scenario one: Consider a pair of professional 15-inch two-way birch plywood PA speakers. New retail: £1,800-£2,400. Professional refurbishment with BishopSound quality components: £300-£400. That's a savings of at least £1,500 while achieving comparable or superior performance with modern, more efficient drivers.

Scenario Two: The single 18” Birch Plywood passive subwoofer New retail: £700 Professional refurbishment with BishopSound quality components: £170 That's a savings of at least £500 while achieving comparable or superior performance with modern, more efficient woofer.

For working musicians and DJs operating on tight margins, this difference is substantial. A full PA refurbishment—four speakers plus subs—could save you £3,000-£4,000 compared to buying new.

Beyond economics, there's the sustainability factor. The music industry generates significant electronic waste. By refurbishing rather than replacing, you're keeping functional cabinets out of landfills and reducing the demand for new manufacturing, which requires raw materials, energy, and transportation.

Key Takeaways:

Save your hard-earned money compared to buying equivalent new PA speaker cabinets while maintaining professional sound quality and presentation.

Extend equipment lifespan by 7 - 10 years through component replacement rather than complete system disposal.

Reduce environmental impact by reusing durable cabinets and preventing unnecessary electronic waste in an industry with a substantial carbon footprint

Don’t Go Into 2026 Like A Bat Out Of Hell!

Stop right there! - I gotta know right now! - Before we go any further……………. Don’t spend your seasonal takings now – bank them and earn interest.

Why?

1. Because in a few weeks we recommence production in Great Britain of PA speakers at an affordable price, made by British craftsmen and their apprentices.
2. We stopped buying speakers made in Asia as they are using Russian plywood.
3. Soon the wedding season will start, and you can go out gigging with speakers made in Great Britain and fly the flag for outstanding British manufacturing and our great nation.

But! 

1. If money is no object and you want NEW now, do not let us stop you buying brands owned and made offshore.
2. If you see a great deal on second-hand used PA speakers, buy them, as we can help restore them.
3. If you have essential gigs in January and February, consider renting.