I have sights on a pair of L2030s for $500. I would have already had them if I had an extra 500 to spare. My question is of value. I can look things up, but I see prices all over the place and some of these are old postings. There was only one example, a set that was completely redone, go for $4500 on ebay. These are in fair to good condition but one tweeter seems dead and at first 2 mids on the other speaker seemed dead but later they livened up. So they are questionable. Can someone talk me out of shuffling funds around and picking up almost 400 lbs. of speakers? Are they holding their value? They sound pretty good but I don't think they would be keepers. Opinions?
ADS speakers, the BIG!!! ones
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slowpat
Slowly but surely....
I would love to buy them for $500...sorry , won't try to talk you out of it. ADS tweeters and mids come up for sale on eBay all the time, and Richard So out in Arizona will rebuild them for you as well. These monsters can sell for $1500 up in fair to good condition, but you will need to come across that ONE buyer, as not everyone appreciates big speakers....I would go borrow that $500 from your neighbor and pay them back with interest after you sell them for a huge profit. They won't sound their best if you don't have the room or the right electronics....
some say those are the best speakers ADS ever made and they made some exceptional speakers! Depending on cosmetics they could be worth every bit of $500 even if the drivers need some help.
janikphoto
Lunatic Member
Most small pairs go for $150 to $300, many of their medium floor standers go for $400 to $600, and the big guns often fetch $600 to $800 in great condition. The L2030 is bigger than the average big a/d/s you see for sale, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them go for $1000 to $1500 in working order.
GO! go go go.
DID I mention GO!
Worth every penny and a lot more.
You will never lose money on them.
Once working right and you hear them, you will keep them forever and forget everything else you have.
Now....GO!
DID I mention GO!
Worth every penny and a lot more.
You will never lose money on them.
Once working right and you hear them, you will keep them forever and forget everything else you have.
Now....GO!
HalfKidding
Active Member
I passed on a pair for $250 when i had the chance due to the size. and i regret it every time i see a thread about them.......
A former employee of ADS who has posted here had a low opinion of the 2030. See post #26 here:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=44406&highlight=ads+2030&page=2
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=44406&highlight=ads+2030&page=2
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I passed on something great 22 years ago due to lack ok free cash and regretted it ever since.
Borrow money from someone and make payments.
Pawn something or sell something fast!
Seriously, find a way!
Brian
An Old Geezer
If life had dealt me a slightly different hand I likely would have. Had ADS big boys as my main speaker all these years. While having that NE sound they to my ears always seemed to be smoother and more unified that say AR or KLH. Like the difference between a good wine and a fine wine.
It was the reason why I bought the L300s at retail rather than going back to my old company and buying something else at dealer cost which I could have.
That is a good price and it may be the drivers are good but need caps. Some things are worth the gamble and these are one of them.
It was the reason why I bought the L300s at retail rather than going back to my old company and buying something else at dealer cost which I could have.
That is a good price and it may be the drivers are good but need caps. Some things are worth the gamble and these are one of them.
I've got things to sell and pawn so if they are still there Tuesday they could be coming with me. I am out of town and won't be back till Tuesday. I agree that it could be a good gamble. I have read the mixed reviews BTW doing my research. Based on those reviews I have determined they are still definitely worth a gamble. I did hear them for myself in a large room and was impressed even without the full compliment of working drivers.
Coming home with me...
...So I'm working out of town where these were found, I managed to land them even though they were on the floor for over a week. I took this picture with my phone in the store. I got the store to hold them back for me to pick up soon, weather is not cooperating. I have to carry them 30 miles to a temporary holding place until I go back home (over 500 miles).
Richard So rebuilds the tweeters for $45, I'll diagnose once they are in my possession.
These will displace a set of 846B Altecs that have a bad horn driver. I think I can part out the Altecs to cover the cost of the 2030s. I did get a discount after all. I guess it was meant to be and would say it worked out pretty well.
I'll be driving them with either a Pioneer SX-828 receiver, a Realistic MPA-200 (100wpc PA/stereo power amp) with an undetermined preamp. or a reworked Ampex tube setup (once reworked) consists of Ampex Preamp and 35 watt monoblocks (from the Ampex signature console) Which kind of power would they prefer I wonder?
...So I'm working out of town where these were found, I managed to land them even though they were on the floor for over a week. I took this picture with my phone in the store. I got the store to hold them back for me to pick up soon, weather is not cooperating. I have to carry them 30 miles to a temporary holding place until I go back home (over 500 miles).
Richard So rebuilds the tweeters for $45, I'll diagnose once they are in my possession.
These will displace a set of 846B Altecs that have a bad horn driver. I think I can part out the Altecs to cover the cost of the 2030s. I did get a discount after all. I guess it was meant to be and would say it worked out pretty well.
I'll be driving them with either a Pioneer SX-828 receiver, a Realistic MPA-200 (100wpc PA/stereo power amp) with an undetermined preamp. or a reworked Ampex tube setup (once reworked) consists of Ampex Preamp and 35 watt monoblocks (from the Ampex signature console) Which kind of power would they prefer I wonder?
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HyKlas
Super Member
I was going to say the same, 200w/ch+... A friend and I were playing around with a pair and they seemed happiest with my Pioneer M90 and his Yamaha M2. We didn't have anything bigger to try... Bass response seemed best with my Kenwood M2 but that should be a given. The Kenwood really takes hold of and manhandles just about any woofer...
Congrats on your purchase! That's a very detailed speaker system when properly powered.
Congrats on your purchase! That's a very detailed speaker system when properly powered.
So the tube setup may not be what the doctor ordered, nor the 60wpc pioneer. The 100wpc amp could work until I find something else. But from what I've read, if a speaker is efficient, it doesn't need as much power to drive it. These are 95dB rated.
I'll try them for a while and see if they blow me away. I do like rock but I listen to most other genres as well. We'll see what they can do.
I'll try them for a while and see if they blow me away. I do like rock but I listen to most other genres as well. We'll see what they can do.
Dennis Gardner
Jazz Nut
Congrats on a great find! I would bet from looking at your pics that any problem with tweeters or mids are a corrosion issue. I'm not familiar with the crossover setup on the 2030s but my 1230s have fuses and switches that are for the tweeters and mid controls. These can corrode over time and cause issues.
Your tweeters and mids look very pliable and fresh unlike many others of this vintage that have turned hard and dark over the years. The only issue I see is strictly cosmetic and that is the fur/hair buildup that is present on those sticky little boogers.
Again, congrats on them!!
Your tweeters and mids look very pliable and fresh unlike many others of this vintage that have turned hard and dark over the years. The only issue I see is strictly cosmetic and that is the fur/hair buildup that is present on those sticky little boogers.
Again, congrats on them!!
SoundsAlike
Super Member
I personally would've just had the Altec horn repaired ...thanks for posting the pics and if you enjoy them that's all that matters
