• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Minimus 7 Speakers

Johnny Salam

Johnny Salam

JohnnySalami
I just dug a pair on Minimus 7 speakers out of my sludge pile. I'd forgotten I owned them and found the speakers when I was sorting stuff in the attic.

A friend wigged out and said these were great speakers. My impression of Radio Shack stuff is that it was way overpriced and these speakers, while OK, weren't great.

I'm also told there's an upgrade that makes these super-duper. My question is this: are the Minimus 7 speakers that good, and are the upgrades worthwhile?

These speakers are going to my brother and I don't want to give him junk. If they're not that hot I'll give them to somebody I don't like that much.
 
Register to hide this ad
you will find a very deep wellspring of info on the legendary minimus 7's here on AK. just use the search function. there you will learn of the mods, the rebuilds, the various applications and goods and bads of the little speaker that could...
 
They're good for their size/price, respond well to some easy upgrades, and there's a lot of them in the world (so lots of resources).

I used mine as workhorses, then gave them away to a good friend. He's re-painted them and they're now in use again.

je
 
It depends on what version you have RS had several and the good ones are the earliest. The speakers are good, not great, for what they are and for the price. With the mods the speakers are better butstill not great. As you already have them the cost is sunk so investing $30 or so in them makes sense when you use them for a small room system.

They will never be a A/D/S L-200.
 
Nice imaging for such a small speaker. I use them on my son's bedroom system with no mods. Not great, by any means, but for the price I paid ($30), they are keepers.

Not sure if I'd spend my time modding them, but other folks get their kicks doing that and have more free time than me.

Ken
 
Brian said:
It depends on what version you have RS had several and the good ones are the earliest. The speakers are good, not great, for what they are and for the price. With the mods the speakers are better butstill not great. As you already have them the cost is sunk so investing $30 or so in them makes sense when you use them for a small room system.

They will never be a A/D/S L-200.
Click to expand...


I have 3 pairs of 7s (bought new) and one pair of ads 200s (bought used). I prefer a single pair of 200s to single (1 pair) or double (2 pairs) 7s. IMO, the difference is huge.

Still, I can't seem to let go of my 7s.
 
They're not junk.

Instead of asking for opinions though, I would recommend listening to them and decide.

If you're going to give them away I wouldn't bother modding them, let them decide.
 
There good speakers. Of course it's a matter of taste. I'm sure you don't like them, you can get a fair price for them. I can't let go the ones I got neither.
 
I just picked up a pair for $10 at a thrift shop and they were the walnut veneer looking boxes with brown cloth grille covers. Pretty heavy buggers for small speakers. Took em' home and listened to them in a smaller room and decided for the price that they will be keepers and I'll find a spot to fit them into my 10 speaker collection. IMHO they tend to be better at nearfield listening than full room listening. They seem to me to have a narrower sound stage than what other speakers have (at least mine), but for casually listening I'd give them a 6.75 out of 10.
 
What are you using them for?

I find they are good (shared) nearfield office speakers, and good surround speakers.

The mod is cheap and easy enough- makes 'em nicer.

Like your brother? Invest a few benjamins and do the crossover mod, and he'll have a nice speaker.
 
I too, buy every pair I find at thrift stores. I think they are THAT good. Paired with a decent sub, they can fill a small room just fine.

Rob
 
I have 5 pair including 2 pair of the 7W's. I also have the ebay mod which I have yet to install, and the matching subwoofer to the 7W. As has been said they are good for their size but not great. I recently replaced a pair in the bedroom with NHT SuperZeros which I find superior. Both need subwoofers. Problem with the matching sub is it's size, too big.
They certainly have their place in any speaker collection.
 
Not to hijack the thread.....

But I think that the Minimus 25's are the ones to get. They don't look as high tech as the Minimus 7's do, and are a little larger. Their baffles sport a textured rubber surface, hidden by the grill, and have real wood veneers. Oh, I almost forgot: they sound a lot better.
 
archie2 said:
I have 5 pair including 2 pair of the 7W's. I also have the ebay mod which I have yet to install, and the matching subwoofer to the 7W. As has been said they are good for their size but not great. I recently replaced a pair in the bedroom with NHT SuperZeros which I find superior. Both need subwoofers. Problem with the matching sub is it's size, too big.
They certainly have their place in any speaker collection.
Click to expand...

I don't know the dimensions of the matching sub, but I think passive subs from Cambridge Soundworks are a good match. The Ensemble III sub is tiny, yet enough good low bass for a small room. Move up to the Ensemble II sub for more kick, but it's almost twice as big.

Rob
 
Wouldn't the best setup for the Minimus 7s to be hung on a wall? Or as close to a wall as possible?

Just a thought...
 
I'm new here and you folks seem pretty passionate about older equipment. My story: Roommate recently passed away and among the tons of "modern" amps, EQs and whatnot stacked in the basement, I dug out an old Pioneer SX-770 receiver with the black face and nice wooden cabinet, and two pairs of Minimus 7W's. I rescued these items because they looked pretty neato and brought back memories - receiver 'glows', retro tuning knob etc... and the wood of the 7W's kinda matches the Pioneer. Especially after I cleaned everything up with some Pledge. I know the Pioneer works cause I tried it with headphones. I ordered a pair of special speaker plugs that the unit requires and I can't wait to hear it when everything's hooked up. Should make a nice big "table radio" for my living room. From what I've read, I guess I lucked out by deciding to keep these items as they all seem to have gotten favorable reviews. Roommate Rodney was a little on the frugal side - I think he'd be pleased... PS: Any ideas on adding a subwoofer to and old receiver??
 
My Minimus 7W's are now my main speakers in my HT system along with a Harman Kardon HKSUB12 12" subwoofer. All the sound I need for watching television and DVD's or listening to background music. :yes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom