• 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

Merak Thrift Store Find

Van_Isle

Van_Isle

Super Member
Today, from the SA closest to my work, which appears to be where VCR's and BPC go to die (which is better than the downtown one which seems to have almost completely done away with stereo equipment), I found a pair of Merak speakers. Canadian made and the original company was bought by the same guys who do Axiom.

Seas tweeters, and 6-1/2 inch poly woofer. 9"W x 9-3/4"D x 20"H. Cabinets are in great shape.

For grand sum of $10 (Can).

There are no markings on them other than S/N's but from one site I think they are M.5's.

Anyone have any additional info on these?
 

Attachments

  • Merak_sm_1.JPG
    Merak_sm_1.JPG
    69.2 KB · Views: 123
  • Merak_sm_2.JPG
    Merak_sm_2.JPG
    74.5 KB · Views: 398
Register to hide this ad
The details of the enclosure ... terminals, brown grill cloth, "grain" of the vinyl veneer, etc. Did Merak source construction out to API (i.e. Sound Dynamics, Mirage, Energy, Athena)? Because they remind me a lot of the Mirage SM-1's I had as well as Paisley Research Model 10's I have now (I understand API built them for Ian Paisley prior to him joining the company). In fact there was a Paisley model that used the same Seas tweeter. Merak didn't become part of Axiom until mid 80's and I know API were builders for a number of Canadian speaker companies in the early 80's (such as Canadian model Rega's) as well as having their own house brands (e.g. AudioPulse) even building Mirages for Inception Audio before API bought that company.

Here's a bit on Merak: http://www.colquhounaudio.com/history.html

Course all these guys hung out at the NRC.
 
Hello, the .5 sold for $170. Canadian each. I cannot find the specs only this original ad. The .5 was reviewed in the March of 83 in Sound Magazine.
I quick blurb in another Sound Magazine quickly states they found the .5's to be bright and acurate. See ad below
 

Attachments

  • Merakad1983.jpg
    Merakad1983.jpg
    44.1 KB · Views: 137
Well, the drivers seem to test out fine with a multi-meter.

Tweetes are marked 1" Dome Ferrofluid H253 6-ohm 43/81

Woofers are maked X2543 1056 8225

Sorry for the cruddy pictures .... Daddy needs a new digital camera for x-mas!!
 

Attachments

  • Merak Tweeter Sm.JPG
    Merak Tweeter Sm.JPG
    78.5 KB · Views: 73
  • Merak Woofer Sm.JPG
    Merak Woofer Sm.JPG
    49.6 KB · Views: 100
Last edited:
Merak:

Van_Isle said:
Today, from the SA closest to my work, which appears to be where VCR's and BPC go to die (which is better than the downtown one which seems to have almost completely done away with stereo equipment), I found a pair of Merak speakers. Canadian made and the original company was bought by the same guys who do Axiom.

Seas tweeters, and 6-1/2 inch poly woofer. 9"W x 9-3/4"D x 20"H. Cabinets are in great shape.

For grand sum of $10 (Can).

There are no markings on them other than S/N's but from one site I think they are M.5's.

Anyone have any additional info on these?
Click to expand...
..........Canadian made alright,I have 2 sets I got for nada..Cabinets are like new also but very poorly made in my opinion,at least the ones I have are.From the 70's I believe but like I said they are not nearly built as good as the Bozaks 12" three ways I got for $5 from the same place also a Sally Ann................:scratch2:
 
Nice speakers! Order some surrounds from Lee's Electronics in Vancouver, it's about $15 for a pair shipped to your door.
 
Common tweeter used at that time in many Canadian speakers. The Paisly's I have use the same ones. Love my Paisly's!!
 
hypertone said:
Order some surrounds from Lee's Electronics in Vancouver
Click to expand...

Thanks ... I knew about Main Electronics and have used them before but I don't think they have a 6-1/2 inch in their stock. I did not know about Lee ... and they list a 6-1/2 inch. If Lee's don't have the $20 minimum order rule then all the better.

I don't think that Merrit Electronics here in Victoria carries that size either.
 
Van_Isle said:
I don't think that Merrit Electronics here in Victoria carries that size either.
Click to expand...


I didn't know Merit sold surrounds. That's good to know. I've ordered surrounds a couple of times from Lee's. There is no minimum order, but there is a $9 "shipping fee", but the surrounds are dirt cheap. The only problem I've had is that I have received a couple of spam emails to viagra links from support@leeselectronics.com after ordering from them. I suspect they might have a virus that is spamming everyone in their address book. :scratch2:
 
Both Lee and Main electronic are close to where I live.
I was just in Lee last week picking up a belt (5.50) for an old Sony PS-1350 turntable.
Any of yous guys need help, just PM me. :music:
 
Of course, it is a bit of a mystery as to exactly what he does have in Merrit Electronics. But he does have 8, 10, 12 foams at least. Bought some 8-inch last - they were $2.50 each.

I like watching him weave his way through the mountains of gear he has in there :D
 
Van_Isle said:
The details of the enclosure ... terminals, brown grill cloth, "grain" of the vinyl veneer, etc. Did Merak source construction out to API (i.e. Sound Dynamics, Mirage, Energy, Athena)? Because they remind me a lot of the Mirage SM-1's I had as well as Paisley Research Model 10's I have now (I understand API built them for Ian Paisley prior to him joining the company). In fact there was a Paisley model that used the same Seas tweeter. Merak didn't become part of Axiom until mid 80's and I know API were builders for a number of Canadian speaker companies in the early 80's (such as Canadian model Rega's) as well as having their own house brands (e.g. AudioPulse) even building Mirages for Inception Audio before API bought that company.

Here's a bit on Merak: http://www.colquhounaudio.com/history.html

Course all these guys hung out at the NRC.
Click to expand...

I've been in touch with a fellow that worked for about 20 years at API and he tells me that API built the woofers for Merak (pre-Axiom) but the enclosures were done by another company.
 
Van_Isle said:
Well, the drivers seem to test out fine with a multi-meter.

Tweetes are marked 1" Dome Ferrofluid H253 6-ohm 43/81

Woofers are maked X2543 1506 8225

Sorry for the cruddy pictures .... Daddy needs a new digital camera for x-mas!!
Click to expand...

Gefco woofer, SEAS tweeter as mentioned.

Good stuff!

Regards,
Gordon.
 
OK, that might make sense. As I re-read the email, he did say 8" and 10" by API ... he didn't mention the 6.5".
 
Well, I am finally getting around to trying to do something with these. Problem refoaming the woofers - the cone diameter is smaller than normal. Refering to the attached image (source = speakerbits), the dimensions are:
A = 5-7/8"
B = 5-3/8"
C = 4-5/16
D = 3-7/8

The basket flange has an outer diameter of 6.5" and inner diameter of 5.5" and the poly cone has an outer diameter of 4.25".

Does anyone have any leads on where one might get a foam surround of this size OR (even longer shot here) does anyone have the speaker parameters for these Gefco X2543's?
 

Attachments

  • Foam_Dimensions.jpg
    Foam_Dimensions.jpg
    20.1 KB · Views: 18
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom