Stewyh Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 Hi all, I'm having this ancient mono push/pull valve amp restored at the moment for use as a desktop system and am searching for a suitable small speaker for it. It's a mighty 12 watts so power handling shouldn't be an issue. It will primarily be used for stereo mp3's/pc audio. The inputs on the amp are being reconfigured to stereo rca's and summed to mono. Not sure what the output impedance is yet, will find out when it's up and running. So anyway, I like the idea of a full range (single cone, no speaker of this size could really be called full range) that still has a decent spread across the frequency range, however if a two way is more advantageous I'd certainly consider it, but the smaller the better. Wouldn't be looking to spend over $200 either. I liked the look of the little Travagans but they appear to be out of production now. Any suggestions???
L J T Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 (edited) Some good drivers here http://www.speakerbits.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=1136&Itemid=146 Might be something you are after from their site? Edited August 2, 2012 by L J T
Stewyh Posted August 2, 2012 Author Posted August 2, 2012 Cheers, after something already wired and in an enclosure, not so keen on diy-ing it.
Soundscape Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 Why mono, and are those 45s driving the amp? Just curious.
Stewyh Posted August 2, 2012 Author Posted August 2, 2012 Basically because I got it for free. I've already got a half decent stereo hifi as well as a couple of pairs of studio monitors. I do a bit of freelance music writing so analyzing something in mono is appealing as well as comparing the sound to the other systems. Plus it'll look cool when it's all cleaned up and won't take up much space with just one speaker. No idea what the valves are, don't have the unit with me, it's at the repair shop. They had miniwatt writen on them.
dnostereo Posted August 10, 2012 Posted August 10, 2012 My first post here, so.. Yo. Nice site, hoping theres a fair bit of discussion about vintage stuff as was just started exploring when I came across this post. I'd say it would be amazing if you could stretch the budget towards $500 and find a single Quad 57 electrostatic speaker. Would sound amazing. There's some good info here.. http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/amplifiers/quad/ii-mono/prd_116334_1583crx.aspx 1
Stewyh Posted August 11, 2012 Author Posted August 11, 2012 Ok I've got the amp back from the shop, sounded great there. But needs a speaker. The tech who fixed the amp definitely recommended a full range/single driver setup for pure mono simplicity. However all I can find online are fairly cumbersome (and expensive) floorstanding designs. I really need something smaller, no bigger than 300mm high. The output impedance is 4 ohms. Any suggestions??
Stewyh Posted August 11, 2012 Author Posted August 11, 2012 (edited) I could really go for one of these but they're rated at 8 ohms unfortunately. http://www.glow-audi...m/voiceone.html Although after much googling I stumbled upon these http://www.orbaudio.com/mod2singlepack.aspx As a dual mono pair they are rated at 4 ohms. Bit more expensive than I'd like at $250, but I haven't many options it seems. If anyone's curious as to the valves on the amp they are 2x KT61, 12AX7, EF86, 5Y3 and a IN12 which was retrofitted to display the selected input. Edited August 11, 2012 by stewyh
dnostereo Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 A (twin) bose might even work ok. A Richard Allan CG10 could also do the trick.
RockandorRoll Posted August 15, 2012 Posted August 15, 2012 I have a pair of Travagan 3" widebanders that i could let go for $200 for the pair You could throw the other one out? 1
Stewyh Posted August 16, 2012 Author Posted August 16, 2012 Thanks guys, but I've netted a pair of JVC 3" full range speakers off ebay. Will post pics and a rundown of how the setup sounds when they arrive. The good thing is, I can always replace the existing ceramic driver with Tang Bands, Monacors or some such if I don't like the sound. And being mono, I've got a spare! Cheers
Stewyh Posted August 21, 2012 Author Posted August 21, 2012 (edited) Ended up with these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221099186117?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Haven't received them yet, should be interesting! Edited August 21, 2012 by stewyh
Stewyh Posted August 25, 2012 Author Posted August 25, 2012 Ok, set it up today. Interesting results. Quite impressive soundstage for a single driver, hearing some new things in music I'm familiar with. Bass reproduction is also more impressive than I'd have thought, as is overall volume. Some fiddling with the tone controls is required at times and it gets a little confused & has a little hf distortion with dense music at higher volumes, but this was expected given its lack of a tweeter. Musically, it's quite warm and mellow for the most part. Seems suited to more spacious music. Jazz and Country sound great, Dusty Springfield is sounding rather awesome as I write. Even Anthrax's Worship Music sounded ok, but grindcore or intense drum&bass and it turns to mush haha. Still, very happy with the result. http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewyh/7854732660/sizes/l/in/photostream/
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