The Official Vintage Equipment and Speaker Thread

[prerich]

All people that use speakers older than 15 years old in their home theaters, step-up and tell us what you have!!! You can look at my sig and all of my speakers are old but in excellent shape.

Include if you have a rare model, and alterations or modifications done to the speakers! Come on you vintage nuts - come on down!!!! (That includes you Big Daddy!!!! )

[Driver_King]

Uh, well, I have the Polk SDA II's, am working on getting some Polk Monitor 5's as surrounds, and am contemplating if I should just drop the back surrounds (I'd rather not), upgrade, leave them as is, or move my current Realistic surround speakers there.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Uh, well, I have the Polk SDA II's, am working on getting some Polk Monitor 5's as surrounds, and am contemplating if I should just drop the back surrounds (I'd rather not), upgrade, leave them as is, or move my current Realistic surround speakers there.

Go for the Monitor 5jr's if you can!!!! That's a hot sounding speaker all by itself!!! I listend to a pair in Rota, Spain and couldn't believe what I was hearing! They are powerful and go deep for a bookshelf speaker!!!! A perfect match for the SDA models!!!

[Driver_King]

Do you know of any differences between the Monitor 5's and the Monitor 5jr's (other than the size)?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Do you know of any differences between the Monitor 5's and the Monitor 5jr's (other than the size)?

The originals use a silver voice coil tweeter like the SDA II's the Jr. use the upgraded soft dome tweeter (the speakers go as low as 30hz and as high as 25khz)

[Driver_King]

Should I get the upgraded one or stick with the Silver Coil Dome for better matching or what?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Should I get the upgraded one or stick with the Silver Coil Dome for better matching or what?

If you have the silver ones - stay that route.

[Driver_King]

No, I haven't bought any yet.

[Classik]

I am still using Polk Monitors - some of the originals. These have the tweeter centered in the top of the speaker with the protective framed cloth cover that sits on top of the speaker. They have the large flat bass passive woofer that still appears to be in perfect shape. Probably at least 30 years old. I have baby'd these things - but I sware they sound as good as the day I brought them home. I did have them painted Piano Black -- that vinal just didn't work. The rest of my equipment is modern "Polk" but those monitors I just can't seem to part with. I guess I have grown accuston to their sound - because it seems I judge everything else by them. Everyone who comes over for movies are always impressed with the evenings experience. Certainly not the most exotic setup - but it still keeps me happy. Cheers!!!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Classik

I am still using Polk Monitors - some of the originals. These have the tweeter centered in the top of the speaker with the protective framed cloth cover that sits on top of the speaker. They have the large flat bass passive woofer that still appears to be in perfect shape. Probably at least 30 years old. I have baby'd these things - but I sware they sound as good as the day I brought them home. I did have them painted Piano Black -- that vinal just didn't work. The rest of my equipment is modern "Polk" but those monitors I just can't seem to part with. I guess I have grown accuston to their sound - because it seems I judge everything else by them. Everyone who comes over for movies are always impressed with the evenings experience. Certainly not the most exotic setup - but it still keeps me happy. Cheers!!!

RTA 12 my friend - a fine speaker indeed!!!

[BluLobsta]

I have 2 ADS L570s (circa '84) that I'm using for fronts. Still going strong. Solid oak cabinets...purr like a kitten...sweet sweet.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by BluLobsta

I have 2 ADS L570s (circa '84) that I'm using for fronts. Still going strong. Solid oak cabinets...purr like a kitten...sweet sweet.

Very Nice!!! Heres a question for all of us vintage people out there, how do you keep up with replacement parts if ever needed. I personally look into ebay if my speaker maker doesn't make that part anymore. Have any of you had drivers reconditioned, caps replaced on crossovers ect....?

[morrisgb]

1 pair of polk sda-1c's great shape and still sound excellent, purchased in 1988

[BluLobsta]

Originally Posted by prerich

Very Nice!!! Heres a question for all of us vintage people out there, how do you keep up with replacement parts if ever needed. I personally look into ebay if my speaker maker doesn't make that part anymore. Have any of you had drivers reconditioned, caps replaced on crossovers ect....?

Nah, most of the time it is almost more cost-effective to simply replace any old components since their value is so low and the technology nowadays is so nice. I have noticed some excellent vintage stuff on eBay, however, but that is the only place I know of. Of course, if you are good with electronics, etc., the DIY route is good too. Fortunately, you get what you pay for and my vintage components are still going strong But since I got my Onkyo 606 all of my old components form the most expensive iPod player in the world now

[Big Daddy]

I have owned some great vintage speakers over the years:

The Visonic David Sub/Satellite speakers of 1977-1978. These speakers were made in Germany and started the subwoofer/satellite speaker revolution. Their sound was amazing from such small speakers. Currently, they are picking up dust in one of the storages that my mother has all over the world. She is too old to remember. Read about them HERE.


The Koss CM 1030 speaker were one of the top speakers of 1979. It was very sophisticated and many people were amazed at the advanced technology that Koss had used. It was very advanced for its time. I used them up to a few years ago and gave them away to a friend with my integrated Yamaha amplifier. He is still using them. Maybe, I should break into his house and repossess them again. Read about these speakers:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...ead&keyw&zznec
http://www.audiocircuit.com/index.php?cc=906&c=KOS

Koss_CM1030.jpg

Polk RTA-15TL, 1991-1992. They were the top-of-the-line non-SDA Polk speakers at that time. They have a beautiful sound. I recently updated them and use them in my two-channel system. See pictures and description HERE.

A pair of Bose 901 speakers. Read about them HERE.

Bose.jpg

DBX 15" Subwoofer from 1989-1990. A big monster from back then. I upgraded the a while ago. See description HERE.

My Definitive Technology Super Towers is from 1996 and the two HSU Subwoofers are from 1998. I suppose they don't qualify as vintage speakers.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I have owned some great vintage speakers over the years:

The Visonic David Sub/Satellite speakers of 1977-1978. These speakers were made in Germany and started the subwoofer/satellite speaker revolution. Their sound was amazing from such small speakers. Currently, they are picking up dust in one of the storages that my mother has all over the world. She is too old to remember. Read about them


DBX 15" Subwoofer from 1989-1990. A big monster from back then. I currently use the upgraded sub in my home theater system. See pictures and description HERE.


My Definitive Technology Super Towers and the HSU Subwoofers are from 1998. I suppose they don't qualify as vintage speakers.

I now pronounce you vintage king!!!! But I have a few gems others than the ones I've mentioned. I gave my Infinity RS-6B's to my son and my other son has my DCM-CX17's (the real DCM's from way back) and I'm using my DCM Full Time subs in the rear.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by prerich

I now pronounce you vintage king!!!! But I have a few gems others than the ones I've mentioned. I gave my Infinity RS-6B's to my son and my other son has my DCM-CX17's (the real DCM's from way back) and I'm using my DCM Full Time subs in the rear.

I was an audio/video addict and wanted to buy the top-of-the-line speaker from every company.

I loved the Infinity Kappa speakers. I almost bought the Kappa 9.1 speakers. They had frequency response around 27 Hz-35,000 Hz, +-2db.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I was an audio/video addict and wanted to buy the top-of-the-line speaker from every company.

I loved the Infinity Kappa speakers. I almost bought the Kappa 9.1 speakers. They had frequency response around 27 Hz-35,000 Hz, +-2db.

Very nice and open speaker - dubbed the "amp killer" due to its low impedance (thats on the original Kappa 9's and 8's ) I've been through my share of speakers myself (VMPS, Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3, Infinity - too many to name, DCM Time Windows and Timeframes, JBL 4312, Yamaha NS-1000's) just to name a few

[naturephoto1]

My front L & R channel speakers are completely rebuilt (all new drivers- Dynaudio-2 drivers, Peerless-1 driver, proprietary woofer, and crossover) and upgraded Dahlquist DQ-10 speakers. My rear speakers are Dahlquist DQ-6CI Bookshelf speakers.

Rich

[GodofBlu]

Originally Posted by BluLobsta

I have 2 ADS L570s (circa '84) that I'm using for fronts. Still going strong. Solid oak cabinets...purr like a kitten...sweet sweet.

I'm using a pair of those also. Excellent speaker.