Adler Loudspeakers - Vintage, Walnut, beautiful. Anyone have info? I can find little.

[AintBeenDead]

Adler Loudspeakers - Old, walnut, beautiful. Anyone have info? I can find little.

Picked these up today at a garage sale. Really neat find. Had original boxes, and labels and all. Plus they're from an old store here in town, the guy I bought them from probably purchased here as a young man. In just pristine condition on the outside. Haven't inspected, or listened further just yet. Only thing I can find at all online is another old AK post, and it offered no info.

Anyone know a thing about these? Even if they sound horrible it was worth it for the cabs. Beautiful walnut & cloth, best condition speakers that old I've ever seen. I know nothing of the Syntox-6, but I believe I've read here that Jensen made some good drivers. I'll get em hooked up here in a bit, but apparently my right knee is on the fritz, and I need to sit for a bit.

*After a short FM classic rock radio listen at reasonable volume, I'm gonna say Wow! They sound really, really nice. Will push them further after nap time (two year old, not mine).

 

[Gang-Twanger]

Could be a local house brand that used Jensen drivers. I'm betting they sound quite-nice with a low-powered tube amp (or low-powered tube-like amp or receiver from the early solid-state era...Sansui, Sherwood, and Sony are good examples). They'll respond to the warmth. The alnico magnet on the tweeter, the cloth surrounds, the look of the cabs, the 25wpc rating, etc. It all suggests a speaker from the mid to late '60's. That would be my guess. The '50's and '60's were Jensen's classic era, basically (the late '60's was the tail-end of it).

Jensen had the AS-10, which has similarly-contoured cabs (Different speaker-configuration though). Perhaps this was a local house-brand copy of one of the mid '60's Jensen bookshelf models. Hard to say. Here's a video of the Jensen AS-10 to show you what I mean about the contoured cabs.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=jensen%20as-10%20speakers%20youtube&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D49BCExwbN5s&ei=kALGUc-zLNWs4AO5qYCYBg&usg=AFQjCNHg9wz615VxV9KpW1ZfH01ZB2QKkQ

 

[3kitty]

Very nice $25 score!
The cabinets themselves are lovely!!
But in original boxes and with documentation in tact - plus the fact you appreciate their sound - congrats!!!

3kitty

 

[AintBeenDead]

Could be a local house brand that used Jensen drivers. I'm betting they sound quite-nice with a low-powered tube amp (or low-powered tube-like amp or receiver from the early solid-state era...Sansui, Sherwood, and Sony are good examples). They'll respond to the warmth. The alnico magnet on the tweeter, the cloth surrounds, the look of the cabs, the 25wpc rating, etc. It all suggests a speaker from the mid to late '60's. That would be my guess. The '50's and '60's were Jensen's classic era, basically (the late '60's was the tail-end of it).

Jensen had the AS-10, which has similarly-contoured cabs (Different speaker-configuration though). Perhaps this was a local house-brand copy of one of the mid '60's Jensen bookshelf models. Hard to say. Here's a video of the Jensen AS-10 to show you what I mean about the contoured cabs.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=jensen%20as-10%20speakers%20youtube&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D49BCExwbN5s&ei=kALGUc-zLNWs4AO5qYCYBg&usg=AFQjCNHg9wz615VxV9KpW1ZfH01ZB2QKkQ

Thanks for that info/pics. Definitely a similar build.

 

[AintBeenDead]

I've only been at this a short while, but definitely my favorite pickup on the cheap. They'll surely be vastly improved with a re-cap, but as is, bass response and clarity are just wonderful. Got them hooked to my Yamaha CR-800 I just got running with help from some fine AK folks. I want to get them on my lower wpc Kenwood that I like, but it's a little work right now.

I hope someone has a story on them, but even if not, these are keepers of the highest order for me.

 

[transmaster]

Adler was a Sears and Roebuck trade mark. They made cabinets for console radios, speaker cabinets, and phonographs with Slivertone electronics. Adler was located at 29th & Chestnut St. in Louisville and originally was known as Beckwith Organ Co. Adler was a large manufacturer of pianos through out much of its history and they occasionally turn up at auctions. The company was controlled by Sears which eventually led to its downfall. In the 1940's Sears reorganized its furniture and woodworking operations into a Mississippi-based corporation which absorbed Adler and moved it south in 1948. They also made cabinets for other makers of speakers and hifi/stereo consoles. It would be interesting to look at Sears Catalogs from the 1950's to see if these speakers are listed. I have not been able to find when the Sear's woodworking division finally folded but they did last into the late 1950's anyway. Now you know why the cabinets are so beautiful. :yes:

 

[Gang-Twanger]

Adler was a Sears and Roebuck trade mark. They made cabinets for console radios, speaker cabinets, and phonographs with Slivertone electronics. Adler was located at 29th & Chestnut St. in Louisville and originally was known as Beckwith Organ Co. Adler was a large manufacturer of pianos through out much of its history and they occasionally turn up at auctions. The company was controlled by Sears which eventually led to its downfall. In the 1940's Sears reorganized its furniture and woodworking operations into a Mississippi-based corporation which absorbed Adler and moved it south in 1948. They also made cabinets for other makers of speakers and hifi/stereo consoles. It would be interesting to look at Sears Catalogs from the 1950's to see if these speakers are listed. I have not been able to find when the Sear's woodworking division finally folded but they did last into the late 1950's anyway. Now you know why the cabinets are so beautiful. :yes:

Whoops.... I made a boo-boo... Sorry about that.

Does Sears have it's old catalogs listed on their website the way RS does?

 

[AintBeenDead]

Adler was a Sears and Roebuck trade mark. They made cabinets for console radios, speaker cabinets, and phonographs with Slivertone electronics. Adler was located at 29th & Chestnut St. in Louisville and originally was known as Beckwith Organ Co. Adler was a large manufacturer of pianos through out much of its history and they occasionally turn up at auctions. The company was controlled by Sears which eventually led to its downfall. In the 1940's Sears reorganized its furniture and woodworking operations into a Mississippi-based corporation which absorbed Adler and moved it south in 1948. They also made cabinets for other makers of speakers and hifi/stereo consoles. It would be interesting to look at Sears Catalogs from the 1950's to see if these speakers are listed. I have not been able to find when the Sear's woodworking division finally folded but they did last into the late 1950's anyway. Now you know why the cabinets are so beautiful. :yes:

Awesome! Thanks for that. So you think they're late 50's? I would have been in the same thought process that they were mid 60's. And yes, the cabinets are gorgeous. I've been listening to, and staring at for hours and hours now.

 

[transmaster]

I looked at the Sear's historical website and all they list is archival repositories that have them. Check the speakers for manufacturing codes there are others on this forum that know where to look those numbers up the give you when they where made and by whom. The fact you have the boxes, and the paper work makes them even more interesting.

 

[transmaster]

Success!, I think, It still could be Sears and there are a number of Abler named companies that all made similar types of furniture for consoles and such however in this case Thanks to the spec sheet I didn't look the outfit that might have made these speakers is Adler Manufacturing Corp, of Danville, PA there is very little info about this company other then they make Wood TV/radio Cabinets and if the Chamber of Commerce info I looked at is accurate they are still in business, a phone call might be interesting. Riverside, PA is directly across the Susquehanna River from Danville.

Adler Manufacturing Corp
400 Water St
Danville, PA 17821-2038
Tel: (570) 271-4000

 

[Gang-Twanger]

Success!, I think, It still could be Sears and there are a number of Abler named companies that all made similar types of furniture for consoles and such however in this case Thanks to the spec sheet I didn't look the outfit that might have made these speakers is Adler Manufacturing Corp, of Danville, PA there is very little info about this company other then they make Wood TV/radio Cabinets and if the Chamber of Commerce info I looked at is accurate they are still in business, a phone call might be interesting

Adler Manufacturing Corp

400 Water St
Danville, PA 17821-2038
Tel: (570) 271-4000

Yeah, I had noticed the Danville, PA address too. That's why I thought house-brand at first (Well, it still is, I guess, just not a local one). Perhaps Abler (Jeez, now you got me saying it too), I mean, perhaps Adler reorganized after folding the first time, but as a technically-different company yet owned by the same person/people (Instead of, say, "Adler Co.", they go and change it to "Adler Manufacturing Corp"... the same company, but relocated and reorganized... If they fold again, perhaps they'll come back as Adler Industries LLC ).

This is good to know, since I'm in the northeast. Maybe I'll run into a pair. I'd like to employ some vintage Jensen drivers into my system, something to augment my daily drivers.

 

[transmaster]

This was very interesting. I was just looking at the business on Google Earth and it sure isn't much a phone call might still be interesting the owner might just have some tidbits of information, such a s "oh yes my grandfather did that the 1960's or I bought the company from....

Jensen Speakers where used in so many applications. I have the matching speaker for a National NC183D general coverage receiver which is the only general coverage receiver that could be considered hifi. Push-Pull 6V6's it even has a phono input. It's matching speak has an 8 inch Jensen installed.

That would be an interesting book the write a historical compendium on small US manufacturers who tried to jump on the hifi/stereo band wagon either as a supplier to the likes of Sears or Montgomery Wards or who tried to market in themselves.

You noticed my life long problem with B's and D's it caused me so much frustration as a kid doing spelling tests. I am told it is a mild form of dyslexia all I know it is exasperating

 

[Gang-Twanger]

This was very interesting. Jensen Speakers where used in so many applications. I have the matching speaker for a National NC183D general coverage receiver which is the only general coverage receiver that could be considered hifi. Push-Pull 6V6's it even has a phono input. It's matching speak has an 8 inch Jensen installed.

That would be an interesting book the write a historical compendium on small US manufacturers who tried to jump on the hifi/stereo band wagon either as a supplier to the likes of Sears or Montgomery Wards or who tried to market in themselves.

You noticed my life long problem with B's and D's it caused me so much frustration as a kid doing spelling tests. I am told it is a mild form of dyslexia all I know it is exasperating

Hey, trust me, occasional misspelling beats the hell out of having OCD. That affliction is a daily battle of exhausting proportions. If I had the choice, I'd take the typos in a heartbeat.

Back in the '60's and '70's, the house-brand thing (local AND national) was WAY-better than it was later on. Just look at Radio Shack. The Optimus 7 had a cab that rivaled the Altec Valencia in looks (And the construction wasn't bad either).

 

[AintBeenDead]

Success!, I think, It still could be Sears and there are a number of Abler named companies that all made similar types of furniture for consoles and such however in this case Thanks to the spec sheet I didn't look the outfit that might have made these speakers is Adler Manufacturing Corp, of Danville, PA there is very little info about this company other then they make Wood TV/radio Cabinets and if the Chamber of Commerce info I looked at is accurate they are still in business, a phone call might be interesting. Riverside, PA is directly across the Susquehanna River from Danville.

Adler Manufacturing Corp
400 Water St
Danville, PA 17821-2038
Tel: (570) 271-4000

You make a good P.I. So are you thinking then later than 50's? or still sticking with that time frame?

I can imagine how a call today would go;

Receptionist: They made speakers out of walnuts?
Me: Ugh...

But I'll definitely call them tomorrow (memory provided) and take a shot.

 

[transmaster]

They could have been made in the 1960's get the codes numbers off of the speakers go here to look them up:
http://www.jensentone.com/wiring_diagram_and_date_code_information
Then take a close look at the capacitor(s) in the cross over the cap's should have a date of manufacturer on it, or of a type you can date with in a few years. There might even be a cabinet makers mark inside the cases.

My formal training is as a research archivist I used to do this sort of thing for a living. I had to get out of it because I could not handle moldy documents the mold spores gave me mind bending headaches. If the call to the company does not pan out than I would call the local Chamber of Commerce and see if they can point you in the right direction. When somebody ask why you are doing this it is basically you are documenting a little known speaker company that produced very good quality speakers. Post the information about Adler on AK and then if others run into the speaker they will have the info you documented, and can add to it. This is what I miss so much about archival work is the research part.

 

[AintBeenDead]

Success!, I think, It still could be Sears and there are a number of Abler named companies that all made similar types of furniture for consoles and such however in this case Thanks to the spec sheet I didn't look the outfit that might have made these speakers is Adler Manufacturing Corp, of Danville, PA there is very little info about this company other then they make Wood TV/radio Cabinets and if the Chamber of Commerce info I looked at is accurate they are still in business, a phone call might be interesting. Riverside, PA is directly across the Susquehanna River from Danville.

Adler Manufacturing Corp
400 Water St
Danville, PA 17821-2038
Tel: (570) 271-4000

Dead number I'm afraid.

 

[Ed in Tx]

I have the brochure they sent to me in 1968 or thereabouts. I used to send in those reader service cards in High Fidelity and HiFi/Stereo Review all the time and got a pretty good collection. No reference to Sears. Appears to have been a small independent manufacturer.

 

[transmaster]

Ed in TX has demonstrated with his posting why you never, ever throw away catalogs, manuals, brochures, and such. You never know when such reference material will be important. Good Show!!!!!!!!!!!! :thmbsp:

 

[AintBeenDead]

Hot damn Ed! Couldn't agree with transmaster more, GOOD SHOW! Indeed. I never would have thought a year ago that an old speaker brochure picture would get me too excited, but that was awesome. Is there a date on there, or do you just recall from memory? (Which is great btw).

 

[transmaster]

Hot damn Ed! Couldn't agree with transmaster more, GOOD SHOW! Indeed. I never would have thought a year ago that an old speaker brochure picture would get me too excited, but that was awesome. Is there a date on there, or do you just recall from memory? (Which is great btw).

Now that you know the speakers where made in the late 1960's you can now go through periodical index's of the Stereo magazines of the time to look for a review of this speaker. This style is called Decor Oriented, a style which was popular in the 1960's. These speakers would be at their best with a tube type amp.