A/D/S line pecking order?

[Duffinator]

Goodnight Duff, do let us know how big that file is. I got the L880 from soundmotor
if anyone is interested in that. It's 1.3 meg.

The file is almost 10 MB which is quite a bit smaller than the 55 in a Word doc. It can be zipped as well. Let me know if you are interested. This is the full line ADS brochure with specs for all models from the 1980 lineup.

 

[Kegger]

This is all very good info as I've heard Vandy's and the ADS 880 but not the 810 and
the descriptions you guys are giving gives me a better sense of all these speakers.

Very good info! Just curious has anyone heard the 880?

 

[Duffinator]

i have to agree with AlleyKat here. the Vandersteen 2C just does everything better than the 810. simply put, its a step up in class. what i dont get is the idea that the 810's are a tad bass heavy. to my ear they are a very well balanced speaker, the bass is just right.

How do the Vandy 2C's compare to your AR 9's?

 

[Kegger]

The file is almost 10 MB which is quite a bit smaller than the 55 in a Word doc. It can be zipped as well. Let me know if you are interested. This is the full line ADS brochure with specs for all models from the 1980 lineup.

That is great, I will setup my FTP again and pm you to see if we can get together to get that.

When I do if anyone is interested you can grab it from my FTP when I do.

How big is the file when zipped/compressed?

 

[dingus]

How do the Vandy 2C's compare to your AR 9's?

the 9's have the advantage where bass is concerned. aside from that, they are very comparable. put a sub with the Vandy's and you pretty much have an even match. its going to come down to one's own preference.

 

[portisphish]

Originally Posted by portisphish
NO. His name is Richard So.

I wonder when he worked for ADS?

He told me he worked for them before they were bought out...wasn't that about 2001?

Anyway, I thought I'd update you all on my a/d/s 910 repairs. As it turns out I had every driver repaired by Richard So, and both crossovers repaired. I recieved the drivers a few days ago, and just got finished soldering all the wires to the drivers. I must say that Richard did an excellent job...the speakes look and sound great. The price was unbelievable compared to what others quoted me for recones not using genuine a/d/s parts. The packing job he did was fantastic, shipped quick, too. Overall, I am very happy with Richard, and have no problem reccomending him. I did ask him, if he wanted more work of this type. He said he has a very limited amount of parts left, and when they're gone...that's it, but if other people wanted work done, he would accept the job if he has the parts. PM me for contact info if you are interested.

I did have a slight problem with the plug on one of the crossovers. It wasn't making a solid connection. I put some aluminum foil pieces in the plug, and that seems to have worked for now, but wish there was a better, more permanent solution.

The speakers sound great. Very smooth and detailed, with a nice kick of bass. In the little listening I've done, I'm very pleased. Drums sound particularly nice. Even without the stands, I am not finding them too bass heavy, which surprises me in a good way. I am on the lookout for the swivel stands if anyone sees a set keep me in mind. They are being run off of a vintage optonica sa-5151, which is a bit bright to begin with, so this might be part of it. I was thinking of matching up a tube amp with them, but am afraid of giving them enough power. Anyone know the sensitivity of these speakers?

Anyway, here is a couple of pictures of Richard's work. Before and after of one of the woofer's, all 4 woofers, and midrange/tweet/crossover work.

 

[soundmotor]

He told me he worked for them before they were bought out...wasn't that about 2001?

1st time, 1992.

2nd time by Directed.

2001 sounds about right.

 

[dingus]

thats outstanding portisphish, i am looking forward to hearing them.

 

[portisphish]

1st time, 1992.

2nd time by Directed.

2001 sounds about right.

Now that you mention, I think he did say it was about 14 years ago, but don't hold me too this.

 

[fidtune]

A/D/S Braun L710 Data

Seems to be many ADS fans here. I bought a pair of aDs Braun L710 speakers in 1973 and still own them. In the early to mid 80s I had to have the original foam around the woofers replaced. ADS had moved from Cambridge Ma. to Wilmington Ma. which is 45 min. drive for me and I had them do the rubber replacement. Still love the sweet sound of them after 36 yrs. If it is of any help to anyone here is a upload of the original data sheet. I also have the data sheets for later model L710 speakers as well as the data for the original L910 monitors.

 

[BSUfbfan]

Thanks for taking the time to scan those in. Always nice to read up on these classics!!

 

[fidtune]

Portishphish
Happy listening...hope these help you. They are copyright 1977 pages from a A/D/S L910 brochure.
Cheers!

 

[hedrick]

Are the L500's an early version of the 520's with an 8" driver?

I'm not sure what to measure. They're 8 inches across edge to edge including all the metal.

 

[hedrick]

You're right, I had a pair of L400's in high school and sold them because the woofers weren't big enough (what a dipshit move). Anyway, now I'm looking for some L-810's to enjoy for a long, long time.

By the way, I just installed a complete Paradigm system 20 based theater system in a buddys house and it kicks a$$ for movies, is that what you use them for? I listened to a couple of my SACD's on the system in 2-channel mode and wasn't overly impressed. Probably just the fact that I'm not a fan of hard-dome tweeters and graphite woofers. Seems that to get quality on par with the old ADS stuff you need to spend thousands now days.

I listen primarily to music in stereo, but I listen to movies as well. Maybe 25% movies. I have a pair of Vienna Acoustics Haydns for surrounds. In theory I have a 4.1 system, but I'm not currently using the sub. (The fronts are so close together that a center wouldn't be practical.) The source is iTunes for music (Apple lossless compression) and DVD player for movies, with an Arcam AVR 250 receiver.

Stereophile has reviewed Studio 20s 3 times (different versions, I believe). They claim they're good speakers, but from their charts, they have a peak in the mid-bass. I believe that's my problem. My room tends to exaggerate any hint of muddiness, so I'm better off low on bass than high. I considered several different speakers, and probably should have done a better job choosing.

I believe the Studio 20s do better in imaging, but that isn't as important to me.

Because of where they are placed (on a desk next to my computer) L500s are as large as I can go.

 

[Dogman]

Ads L1290/2

Fantastic thread!! Info on ADS speakers is so hard to find.

I am pleased to report that I just picked up a pair of ADS L1290 series 2 speakers in walnut, largely based on the comments and recommendations here. Have them running off of a Yamaha CR-2020 receiver and they are very impressive!! I now know what you guys mean by tight bass!

I have a couple of questions that perhaps Soundmotor or others might be able to answer:

What is the difference with the series 2 versions of the ADS speakers? All I have been able to determine is that they may be less efficient than the earlier series 1 models (86db vs. 90db). The drivers appear to be the same, as does cabinet size, etc. Perhaps a different crossover?

Is the PA1 biampifier a useful addition, and are they available?

Any idea where I can obtain a copy of the user's manual for the L1290 series 2?

With the purchase of the speakers I also received sales brochures dating back to 1983 - one for the L1290 series 1, and also for the L1090. These are four page full colour. Also have a two page Stereo Review review of the L1290 series 1 dated April 1984 (the 1290's sold for $629 each in black and $649 in walnut). I can make these available if people are interested.

Thanks in advance for any info that you can provide!
Barry

 

[dingus]

.....
I am pleased to report that I just picked up a pair of ADS L1290 series 2 speakers in walnut, largely based on the comments and recommendations here. Have them running off of a Yamaha CR-2020 receiver and they are very impressive!! I now know what you guys mean by tight bass! .....

very nice score Barry. i too have found the Yamaha and ADS to be an excellent combo.

 

[soundmotor]

What is the difference with the series 2 versions of the ADS speakers? All I have been able to determine is that they may be less efficient than the earlier series 1 models (86db vs. 90db). The drivers appear to be the same, as does cabinet size, etc. Perhaps a different crossover?

Is the PA1 biampifier a useful addition, and are they available?

IIRC, they use different woofers; S1 used an aluminum voice-coil former while S2 used Kapton, a high temp plastic. That gave the woofers more resistance to Black Sabbath, et al.

The PA1's are interesting and if you find a set within your budget, go for it. I am pretty sure that all the S1's had PA1 cutouts while early S2's had them & later ones did not. Easy to tell if yours do as there is roughly a 9" x 9" cutout at the bottom. Availability on PA1's would probably fall into the dumb luck category. You'd need patience to get them.

From a performance standpoint, PA1's were certainly better than many of the receivers likely to be paired with the L1290's in the mid 80's but lacking when compared to a non-biamplified set-up w/ dedicated high-end amplifier. The ultimate would be a C2000 & matched pair of amps to go with it. Good luck there as ADS did not make many C2000's over the years.

 

[GordonW]

It is most amusing that you chose the Aerial 10T as your example. I was fortunate to hear the very first working samples many years back when Aerial was still deciding on the final spelling of its name.

The principal of Aerial is Michael Kelly. Michael was president of ADS until ~1986 and absolutely had influence on products such as the L880 & many, many others. The second partner of Aerial is David Marshall. David was one of the key mechanical designers for ADS until ~1990. Virtually every speaker that ADS built up to that point fell under his pen.

They don't get any better than these 2 gentlemen in the audio business.

I can vouch for that. I work for David's brother, Pete Marshall (Audio Atlanta)... and from what I've seen of that whole Marshall family (their father was an aeronautical engineer, BTW), they're ALL very gifted folks.

BTW: The Aerial spelling was kinda interesting, to say the least. Amazing HOW MANY different spellings of that word have been copyrighted and/or are in use in "legally confusing" ways. Hopefully, the name that Pete and myself are working on, for our own speaker line here now, won't be quite as challenging a spelling test!

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[GordonW]

What is the deal with this glue corrosion. My L780II and 570II both have it. It is real bad rusting around the edge of the rubber surrounds. It was bad enough on the L780s to seperate the surround from the steel frame. I canabalized a driver from one of the 570s to use in the 780s. They both use 206-0355 drivers.

- Pete

I've fixed a bunch of ADS drivers, with this corrosion. It takes a careful hand to get 'em re-aligned (those ADS voice coils have surprisingly tight clearances, on some of 'em), but I've lifted up the surround, cleaned and treated the basket (to "kill" the rust permanently), and re-glued the surrounds. Works great afterwards...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Dogman]

IIRC, they use different woofers; S1 used an aluminum voice-coil former while S2 used Kapton, a high temp plastic. That gave the woofers more resistance to Black Sabbath, et al.

The PA1's are interesting and if you find a set within your budget, go for it. I am pretty sure that all the S1's had PA1 cutouts while early S2's had them & later ones did not. Easy to tell if yours do as there is roughly a 9" x 9" cutout at the bottom. Availability on PA1's would probably fall into the dumb luck category. You'd need patience to get them.

From a performance standpoint, PA1's were certainly better than many of the receivers likely to be paired with the L1290's in the mid 80's but lacking when compared to a non-biamplified set-up w/ dedicated high-end amplifier. The ultimate would be a C2000 & matched pair of amps to go with it. Good luck there as ADS did not make many C2000's over the years.

So the only difference between the S1 and S2 is the woofer voice coils? Would have thought a new series would have involved more fine tuning then this - but then again, why fiddle with something that works so well!

Regarding the PA1, my speakers do have the cut outs, but are you saying that a high end single amp would be preferable to biamplification with the PA1 or another set of amps?

Thanks for the info soundmotor