Wigwam Jones
Caesar non supra grammati
I bought these speakers last week at the local thrift store on a lark - they were only $4.99. Nice wood cabinets.
But I really didn't expect them to sound like much. They have ventilation slots in the back; it looks like there is some soft foam in there to absorb resonances. From the shape of the grill, I suspected an oval driver (I was right). These are Ampex Model 516 "Wide Range" Speakers. I am going to guess the driver is maybe 6 x 9 or 7 x 10?
Ampex 516 Wide Range Speakers by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr
Ampex 516 Wide Range Speakers by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr
Ampex 516 Wide Range Speakers by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr
Well, I hooked them up just to see what they'd sound like. I was expecting something like a big clock radio or a boombox or something.
SURPRISE!
They sound great! Deep bass - where's that coming from? Nice top end too! Good soundstage, nice presence. Very 'open' sounding.
Now I'm going to have to sit down and give these things some serious listening with good source material and my tube amp.
I don't get it - I don't know how it is that these sound good. What the heck are they? What were they designed for?
Google is my friend, but I can't find anything. I did find one fellow who seems to use his for monitors in his studio, but that's all I've found out.
Any help?
But I really didn't expect them to sound like much. They have ventilation slots in the back; it looks like there is some soft foam in there to absorb resonances. From the shape of the grill, I suspected an oval driver (I was right). These are Ampex Model 516 "Wide Range" Speakers. I am going to guess the driver is maybe 6 x 9 or 7 x 10?
Ampex 516 Wide Range Speakers by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr
Ampex 516 Wide Range Speakers by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr
Ampex 516 Wide Range Speakers by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr
Well, I hooked them up just to see what they'd sound like. I was expecting something like a big clock radio or a boombox or something.
SURPRISE!
They sound great! Deep bass - where's that coming from? Nice top end too! Good soundstage, nice presence. Very 'open' sounding.
Now I'm going to have to sit down and give these things some serious listening with good source material and my tube amp.
I don't get it - I don't know how it is that these sound good. What the heck are they? What were they designed for?
Google is my friend, but I can't find anything. I did find one fellow who seems to use his for monitors in his studio, but that's all I've found out.
Any help?