Sansui TOTL Speakers SP-5000 and SP-5500 Side By Side?

[Jim Carr]

Hi, I'm looking for axial lead caps for the crossover but all I find are cans. Anyone know where to get axial lead types?
Thanks, Jim

 

[OceanVU]

Thanks for the help from you guys. Quick follow-up to my prior posts. After changing all the caps on the SP-5000's they do sound much more open, clear and for lack of a better term "wider". I had to adjust the EQ settings for the highs down quite a bit and the speakers are very sensitive now to the smallest EQ adjustments. Details in music appear that were never there before (can even clearly hear mumbled song lyrics that I could never make out on other speaker systems for decades). Once EQ adjusted, the speakers play to volumes way beyond a reasonable listening level with no distortion to my budget conscious ears-- they just keep getting louder, deeper, etc....(yes- I realize these are in the lower budget end here and not trying to compare to high $ speakers at over 10 times the cost).

Additional note/warning -- I did rotate the woofer on one of the speakers 180 degrees based on other comments from other posts on vintage speakers (not sure if that really applies to these SP-5000s with the "cloth" surrounds or not), but I was not prepared for the sheer weight of the woofer. I did this with the cabinet in the normal upright position and had to catch it on the way out. Woofer must weigh over 25lbs so if I ever do this to the other speaker would definitely do with speaker "on its back". Folks who have posted about the lightweight "kabuki" woofers with tiny magnets must not have played around with these woofers.

 

[Roboneal91]

Thanks for the help from you guys. Quick follow-up to my prior posts. After changing all the caps on the SP-5000's they do sound much more open, clear and for lack of a better term "wider". I had to adjust the EQ settings for the highs down quite a bit and the speakers are very sensitive now to the smallest EQ adjustments. Details in music appear that were never there before (can even clearly hear mumbled song lyrics that I could never make out on other speaker systems for decades). Once EQ adjusted, the speakers play to volumes way beyond a reasonable listening level with no distortion to my budget conscious ears-- they just keep getting louder, deeper, etc....(yes- I realize these are in the lower budget end here and not trying to compare to high $ speakers at over 10 times the cost).

Additional note/warning -- I did rotate the woofer on one of the speakers 180 degrees based on other comments from other posts on vintage speakers (not sure if that really applies to these SP-5000s with the "cloth" surrounds or not), but I was not prepared for the sheer weight of the woofer. I did this with the cabinet in the normal upright position and had to catch it on the way out. Woofer must weigh over 25lbs so if I ever do this to the other speaker would definitely do with speaker "on its back". Folks who have posted about the lightweight "kabuki" woofers with tiny magnets must not have played around with these woofers.

Rotating definitely applies to cloth surrounds even more so, if I were you I would also rotate all the others including the tweeters, tweets aren't needed really but why not considering you're already flipping 8 other speakers and that woofer weighs closer to 35-40lbs by itself the originals are beastly, by the way, every 5000 owner should take heed to this next part, it would be good habit to pay very close attention to your larger mid-range speakers every now and again play them at a level you won't blow your ear drums out at and place your ear directly over the center of the cone and listen very carefully for crackling and distortion, one of my 6.5" mids had the solder contacts inside the cup going to the speaker and the ones from the leads begin to fail and I had to put in my coral bx1500 mids to fill the spot until I can get around to reforming the solder contacts, all these are quickly approaching 50 years old and albeit the Japanese workmanship is awesome everything has its lifespan before needing maitenence, if you're having this issue you may not notice right away because there are 14 speakers between a pair of them but it caused me to check my cap solder points and the wiring itself before I finally realized what the issue was when I popped the bucket off the mid and tested it in free air, if you're good with a soldering iron do it yourself if not don't attempt it because if you reset it in the wrong place the issue won't go away and you'll be in for even more work, just my little tidbit for all of us giant lovers

 

[GTOGuy]

Well since there is not that much, well nothing really when searching these speaker, how about a SP-5000 and SP-5500 Side By Side?

I'm right in the middel of taking lots of photos so stay tuned in and see how they compair.

Thanks so much for the great detail. I love my old Sansui speakers and plan on getting some more ! I was just as interested in all the gear in the background what a collection Cheers

 

[Roguesquatch]

Hello all, this is my first post ever so please bear with me! I've been hunter/collector for about 6 years now and have been lurking on this site for most of that time. What an incredible wealth of information there is to be found here!
I decided to post after I started looking for some info on the SP-5000s and finding out that they are some pretty rare beats here in the mainland US. That is mostly why I went back to the Goodwill 2 weeks ago and decided to bring them home. They are pretty crusty but seem to be intact. Still trying to decide what I should do with them. I've included some pics. They are just as I found them, haven't even cleaned them up yet.
I guess you can add me to the short list of SP-5000 owners!

 

[4-2-7]

Hello all, this is my first post ever so please bear with me! I've been hunter/collector for about 6 years now and have been lurking on this site for most of that time. What an incredible wealth of information there is to be found here!
I decided to post after I started looking for some info on the SP-5000s and finding out that they are some pretty rare beats here in the mainland US. That is mostly why I went back to the Goodwill 2 weeks ago and decided to bring them home. They are pretty crusty but seem to be intact. Still trying to decide what I should do with them. I've included some pics. They are just as I found them, haven't even cleaned them up yet.
I guess you can add me to the short list of SP-5000 owners!

Well welcome to AK and my thread, glad it was some help to you. The woofers in your speakers are not original, however they look like the could be JBL and may not be a bad thing.

 

[LBPete]

Please post the serial numbers for the database. Click on the link in my signature block.

- Pete

 

[Roguesquatch]

Please post the serial numbers for the database. Click on the link in my signature block.

- Pete

Hey Pete,
I got the serial numbers but, being that I'm a complete newbie I'm not sure where exactly to post it. I found the database (I think) but I'm not sure how to post there. With a little guidance I'm sure I'll get there eventually.
Jason

 

[Roguesquatch]

Update. I took the backs off and took some nudies. 427 was right about the woofers not being original, but they are Radio Shack not JBL. The damage to the caps is something new to me. I've heard about them doing this but never seen it first hand. Still on the fence about what I want to do with them in the end but so far the experience has been a lot of fun.

 

[4-2-7]

427 was right about the woofers not being original, but they are Radio Shack not JBL.

The woofers are pretty hard to find and get. But the woofer in a cheap and abundant SP-5000A will work. Or if all is good just leave the RS

 

[TheseGoTo11]

Here are my SP-5000's. i got them for free about 5 years ago when my friend showed up for work and asked me to help him put them in the dumpster. i said "Hell no put them in my truck" One speaker is missing a woofer and the grill but overall they are in pretty good condition and sound very good despite the woofer(Technics)mismatch. I have been looking for a grill and a woofer for years with no luck. They are very heavy(93 lb ea) and well made speakers.

 

[SteveAndBell]

Hi all.

As attached, I saw a pair of 5000s on Gumtree a couple of days ago for $150 including a 5000a Amplifier and a DUAL 1219 Turntable. Messaged the guy straight away and began rearranging my schedule for the 4-hour return trip to collect it all. While I was doing that he replied and told me that if I could get there 'tomorrow' I could have the lot for $50... that's a cool $36USD How could I resist!?! Schedule cleared & arrangements made

I collected it all last night but due to very limited storage space in my tiny house I've had to put it all into offsite storage. Didn't even test anything but did pop the grilles off the 5000s to check them out. Everything checks out except the two Squawkers in one of the cabinets... they have torn (or have been torn) around the suspension fold in the paper cone. All other drivers in both cabinets are original and in great condition which is a blessing, phew!

You'll notice in the last pic of the grille they even come with the original 'High Power' swing tags still hanging from the logos! The cabinets have a few scratches here & there plus it looks like the original owner engraved his details into the lower rear sides of each but all-in-all they're in pretty good condition for their age and will hopefully come up really well with a bit of light restoration work. Can't wait to test 'em and will report back here with my findings... and yes, I'll provide serial numbers for the database too

The other stuff.... the 5000a Amp has been treated poorly with a thick slab of black painted MDF screwed to the top cover from the inside and the front panel has been engraved! Why-o-why do people do that?!?! Anyway, definitely keen to test it as it may still be in working order and therefore well worthwhile parting out. The DUAL 1219 looks like any other 1219 does. Original cover in pretty good condition but with a small crack on the rear. Idler wheel has been parked properly and looks to be in good working order so that should be good to flip for some extra pocket money as I'm not fussed to keep it.

I now just need a new backbone. Wow they're definitely BIG, heavy and difficult to maneuver. Sheesh.

 

[SteveAndBell]

So, anyone know where I can get a pair of Squawker S-5000-2 drivers in good working order to fix my faulty 5000?

 

[Sansuiman]

Veey nice score there. Well worth the drive to fetch it I'd say.

Finding replacmement drivers will be a very tall order. SP-5000's are seldom seen for sale, much less parted out due to their rarity. Probably even less so down under. Any possibility the tears can be effectively repaired with a thin layer of material overlayed? I've used tyvek and even layered tissue paper soaked in elmers glue solution (diluted with some water) to patch tears and holes in cones before (where reconing wasn't practical).

You will likely be looking a very long time for exact replacements, so some resourcefulness will be in order. As to the 5000A, these are easily found and front panels show up with some regularity from parts units. If you decide to fix it up, you shouldn't have too much difficulty sourcing a clean faceplate to replace the engraved one.

 

[SteveAndBell]

Yeah, cheers SM!

I've seen some similar but definitely not identical 4" Squawkers from a different model for a reasonable price. Maybe I could use them as donors purely for to recone the 5000s. Hmmm, will have to have a think. Not sure if the 5000s even work yet

Just found a couple of front panels for the 5000A on the 'Bay for 'affordable' amounts. Still not sure if I could be bothered TBH. I've got two AU999s in my 'to-do' pile before I could be bothered fiddling with something as 'lowly' as a 5000A

 

[BLAH BLAH]

I'll sell you my mint re-capped SP-5000s if your interested in a 20 hour drive and back!

 

[SteveAndBell]

I'll sell you my mint re-capped SP-5000s if your interested in a 20 hour drive and back!

Ironically I'm actually jumping on a 6am flight to Melbourne tomorrow and have a few pieces of Vintage Hifi to haul back with me... so, how much?

 

[Sansuiman]

Well, the good news is they are a fairly common size for a mid. You might find a suitable donor from another model, Sansui or otherwise. The 5000A is a really nice reciever of the capacitor coupled variety. Has a distinct sound quality about it, and you may find it quite to your liking. I sure do, depsite having many other Sansui models of higher power and better specs. Can always put it on the back burner and deal with it later.

Nice with the flux capacitor as your avatar BTW. Keep us posted on what happens with the speakers. You pretty well stole them at that price, so should be quite chuffed (as an Aussie friend of mine likes to say) about the deal you cut.

 

[BLAH BLAH]

Ironically I'm actually jumping on a 6am flight to Melbourne tomorrow and have a few pieces of Vintage Hifi to haul back with me... so, how much?

Ahhh just remembered it's not proper to talk prices and sales here...

 

[SteveAndBell]

$800...

Wow, that's actually really really tempting BB.