$15 JansZen Electrostatic Speakers (Hybrids?)
- Thread starter bobbly_bob
- Start date
I picked a good time to google "Janszen".
Since 1978, my main stereo speakers have been a pair of ZVS-4 Janszen speakers, the predecessor to the Z-40 introduced, I believe, in 1977. In the mid-to-late 1970s, these speakers were sold by Electronic Industries Inc in Minneapolis, and their brochure listed Janszen Electronics as a "division" of EII. I picked up the ZVS-4s as a "factory liquidation", but was also told that I could also buy the current line "factory direct" at 30% off of retail. I have that price list, dated October 1, 1977, if anyone is interested.
I feel extremely fortunate, reading this and other threads, that my Janszen speakers still function after all of these years. Yes, the woofer surrounds were renewed 15 years ago, but seem to be holding up fine. EII used what they called acoustic diffraction gratings in an attempt to increase dispersion of the notoriously directional sound from these small Janszen panels. This grating was made of pasteboard and foam, and the foam deteriorated after a few years. Frankly, the dispersion seemed more theoretical than real, and I angle these speakers in to achieve an admittedly narrow sweet spot. Also, the panels were held in place by flexible polymer, which also deteriorated and I had to come up with alternatives to secure them. I have the brochure from ~1976 (it's a 2'x3' folded poster) that features the then current line: ZL-210ah, ZL-410, ZL-412hpb, ZVS-2, ZVS-4, and the flagship Z-824a. As an electrostat fan-boy, how I lusted after that Z-824a. (Is there really a prohibition against reporting historical prices?)
But, as the TV ads say, that's not all. In 1975, I was looking to put together my first modest stereo system. When a salesman at a local Minneapolis chain store heard my meager price range, he gave me his phone number and told me to call him that evening. It turns out, he had bought 30 pairs of Janszen Z-108s from EII and was selling them out of his house. With only one ES panel and a 8-inch bass driver, these were none-the-less on the large side for bookshelf speakers at 21x10.5"x9.5". Yes, I still have them, and they still work. I also have the brochure, circa 1974, from EII featuring the Z-108, Z-110, Z-210, and Z-412.
Finally, I have the product sheets from 1978 for the Z-10, Z-20, Z-30, Z-40, and Z-50. Unlike the earlier glossy brochures, these are just 8.5"x11" pages with minimal information. Likely one more indication that this generation of Janszen speakers was nearing an end.
I can scan and provide electronic copies of the smaller brochures and product sheets, if anyone is interested. Best I can do with the poster from 1976 is to attempt to photograph it.
Since 1978, my main stereo speakers have been a pair of ZVS-4 Janszen speakers, the predecessor to the Z-40 introduced, I believe, in 1977. In the mid-to-late 1970s, these speakers were sold by Electronic Industries Inc in Minneapolis, and their brochure listed Janszen Electronics as a "division" of EII. I picked up the ZVS-4s as a "factory liquidation", but was also told that I could also buy the current line "factory direct" at 30% off of retail. I have that price list, dated October 1, 1977, if anyone is interested.
I feel extremely fortunate, reading this and other threads, that my Janszen speakers still function after all of these years. Yes, the woofer surrounds were renewed 15 years ago, but seem to be holding up fine. EII used what they called acoustic diffraction gratings in an attempt to increase dispersion of the notoriously directional sound from these small Janszen panels. This grating was made of pasteboard and foam, and the foam deteriorated after a few years. Frankly, the dispersion seemed more theoretical than real, and I angle these speakers in to achieve an admittedly narrow sweet spot. Also, the panels were held in place by flexible polymer, which also deteriorated and I had to come up with alternatives to secure them. I have the brochure from ~1976 (it's a 2'x3' folded poster) that features the then current line: ZL-210ah, ZL-410, ZL-412hpb, ZVS-2, ZVS-4, and the flagship Z-824a. As an electrostat fan-boy, how I lusted after that Z-824a. (Is there really a prohibition against reporting historical prices?)
But, as the TV ads say, that's not all. In 1975, I was looking to put together my first modest stereo system. When a salesman at a local Minneapolis chain store heard my meager price range, he gave me his phone number and told me to call him that evening. It turns out, he had bought 30 pairs of Janszen Z-108s from EII and was selling them out of his house. With only one ES panel and a 8-inch bass driver, these were none-the-less on the large side for bookshelf speakers at 21x10.5"x9.5". Yes, I still have them, and they still work. I also have the brochure, circa 1974, from EII featuring the Z-108, Z-110, Z-210, and Z-412.
Finally, I have the product sheets from 1978 for the Z-10, Z-20, Z-30, Z-40, and Z-50. Unlike the earlier glossy brochures, these are just 8.5"x11" pages with minimal information. Likely one more indication that this generation of Janszen speakers was nearing an end.
I can scan and provide electronic copies of the smaller brochures and product sheets, if anyone is interested. Best I can do with the poster from 1976 is to attempt to photograph it.
Brian
An Old Geezer
If you ever come across a pair of Z824s do not hesitate to grab them regardless of condition and price unless totally outrageous . I can tell you from personal experience they are THE grail of JansZens. I still curse my ex-spouse for selling mine before I could redeem them from her.
Your literature is a goldmine of hard to find info, so I do hope you will scan it. I believe you can post it here, but please do consider posting it a HiFi Engine also -- that is the non turntable part of Vinyl Engine, a library of manuals and literature that is often cited here.
JesusChrysler
...drives a Dodge ; )
Holy thread resurrection lol
Matt
Matt
goodolpg
Just an old fart trying to help.
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