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Thread: Speaker Noob

  1. #1
    AR Newbie Registered Member
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    Speaker Noob

    Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum. I'm 14 and I just bought my first set of speakers for the little stereo system i wanna set up in my room.

    I'm having some problems identifying the speakers. I got them at a garage sale for 15$ and they have no badges on the front or any brand name other than the "A proud Canadian" sticker collection on the backs I'm told come from a brand of whisky. Here are some pictures. If I can also get an approximate date range that'd be great too!

    The front of the speaker. Retro?


    The only words i have to possibly identify the speakers, other than three little red speaker icons to the left of the Air Suspension System words.



    The back. The previous owner colelcted these stickers I assume. Luckily i am a proud canadian! The yellow sticker says CHED, a local radio station.


    Now this brings us to part 2 of my dillema. I'm positive my dad's old Harman Kardon receiver that he is letting me have does not have this kind of plug. Is it possible to cut this connection off and get it down to the two bare left and right wires? The receiver has inputs for bare left and right wires as far as i can remember so I assume the two wires into the speaker plug are left and right?

    The plug has a word on it, "Ampex".

    Here is the plug with the two wires running into it. (You can sort of see the two wires)



    That's as much as I know, if anyone can help that'd be great!

  2. #2
    Forum Regular thepogue's Avatar
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    looks like a cool grab!!

    I cant tell you what type of speaks they are...maybe Akai?...but that's really just a guess...I would also guess late 70's....as far as the plug gues that a 1/4" jack most likely from guitar or otther pro gear.....you can go to Rat Shack and get an adapter to RCA jacks (which is what you'll need w/ your audio gear)......my guess is that some pulled the back off and put this plug on...let us know how thye sound...and I'd pull the front cover and look at the drivers see if the foam surrounds are in good shape...also if you pull the back off....the drivers might give you a hint as to who made them...one more question...how much (a guess) do they weight? Just wondering. Cool score for 15 bucks!

    Pogue
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  3. #3
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    Hi Matty,
    Sorry but I cannot identify your speakers. I have a suggestion though, try posting your info over on audiokarma.org. This site specializes in vintage equipment and you should have a better chance of finding someone who can identify your new speakers. Plenty of knowledgeable guys here too but AK has more people with vintage knowledge. Congratulations on your new equipment and good luck on your system.
    Gary

  4. #4
    Sgt. At Arms Worf101's Avatar
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    Cool Wow...

    Talk about a blast from the past. I don't know the exact brand but I've seen those speakers before. The 1/4 inch output jack was/is the clincher. Back in the 70's they made "all in one" audio systems. These typically included a turntable mated to a stereo receiver and a cassette player or (wait for it.....) 8-Track Tape deck. These units came with two speakers that plugged into the back via 1/4 inch speaker jacks like the one you've shown. Hate to burst your bubble but if you paid 15 beans for em you paid about $15.00 more'n they're worth. Very few if any modern receivers use instrument jacks for output. You'll have to modify to use them and even if you do, I doubt you'll be happy with what you hear.... BUT they're great speakers for a kids room, the garage or out by the pool....

    Da Worfster

  5. #5
    Mutant from table 9
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    If he starts pulling them apart, pays attention and keeps asking for advise and posting clear pictures, then the education he'll get will be worth the fifteen bucks. I'd like to see a pic of the back panel of that receiver he's got. When I was 13/14 that is exactly how I learned. I pulled apart an all-in-one Soundesign and a JCPenny store brand rack system.

  6. #6
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    thanks for the replies everyone! I'm not annoyed if they aren't worth anything these days, I'm just glad to get a little sound out of them. Hopefully my dad brings the receiver home tonite, but who knows.

    I'll take you advice and go ask around at audio karma thepogue.

    One question that plauges me, how the hell do I take the front and/or back off? There aren't any lose parts that snap off or screws in the back Also the front is enclosed as you can see in the picture. After closer look, it appears that there is a seam that was covered up by some hard resin and is covered by the stickers. Access??

    As for weight, they're 25 lbs. on the bathroom scale.

  7. #7
    Sgt. At Arms Worf101's Avatar
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    The only access might be...

    Quote Originally Posted by Mattybass
    thanks for the replies everyone! I'm not annoyed if they aren't worth anything these days, I'm just glad to get a little sound out of them. Hopefully my dad brings the receiver home tonite, but who knows.

    I'll take you advice and go ask around at audio karma thepogue.

    One question that plauges me, how the hell do I take the front and/or back off? There aren't any lose parts that snap off or screws in the back Also the front is enclosed as you can see in the picture. After closer look, it appears that there is a seam that was covered up by some hard resin and is covered by the stickers. Access??

    As for weight, they're 25 lbs. on the bathroom scale.
    Under the foam. You might have to unscrew the drivers themselves to gain access to the inside of the speaker...

    Da Worfster

  8. #8
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    Ok I'm uber confused here. There isn't anywhere to take it apart. What are the drivers and what is the foam? Is the foam the diamond honeycomb-like fabric on the front of the speaker? And there are no placesto take screws out :S

  9. #9
    Forum Regular thepogue's Avatar
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    ok...here's the poopage..

    the driver is the speaker inside...the foam "surround" is the foam (or sometimes rubber) that acts like a suspenstion system for the driver it is around the driver....the older foam surrounds rot out...even on pricey speakers...the foam cover (the one worf was talkin about) is the foam grill cover....you might need to pull that off..and then unscrew the driver (speaker) to peek inside...

    I'll repeat two wise words from above...don't exspect much out of thses lil babies...but heck...have a ball and learn somefinn....it'll make the 15 bucks well spent!

    Peace, Pogue
    • Mark Levinson No. 27
    • Musical Fidelity 308cr
    • Martin Logan Prodigy's
    • Ariel Acoustics 10-T
    • Rega Planet CD
    • CJ Premier 9 DAC
    • Linn LP12 - Basik Plus - Valhalla
    • Benz Micro Cart.
    • Akai GX 747 Reel to Reel
    • Straight Wire Virtuoso Interconnects

  10. #10
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    alright I have the speakers working! Got the receiver today, and I have everything hooked up. Surprisingly, everything sounds awesome! I can get the receiver volume up to about 75-80% before the sound gets a little distorted. I was worried at first when the speakers were really crackily, but I found out the guitar cord ends that were on my speakers were just tied in somewhere down the speaker wire, so I yanked it off and hooked it up and It works awesome.

    I'll eventually look at the foam, once I figure out how to take the foam off. It doesn't look too promising, I can't get at it at all.

    On a lighter note, I'm probably gonna get a Technics SL3300 turntable for 100$. Then my bedroom hi-fi will be finished.

  11. #11
    Forum Regular thepogue's Avatar
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    good man!!

    get that TT up adn running...and when you do I'll send you some great rock LP's!! (for very cheap!)


    email me at thepogue@yahoo.com and I'll send you my vinyl list

    Pogue
    • Mark Levinson No. 27
    • Musical Fidelity 308cr
    • Martin Logan Prodigy's
    • Ariel Acoustics 10-T
    • Rega Planet CD
    • CJ Premier 9 DAC
    • Linn LP12 - Basik Plus - Valhalla
    • Benz Micro Cart.
    • Akai GX 747 Reel to Reel
    • Straight Wire Virtuoso Interconnects

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