ads L1230's - time for grill repair - 11.9.2021

[plugto]

Need some advice from you guys. I just saw an ad for M20s. This is beyond my experience with ADS the L series. My last purchase of an CM5 really opened my mind to just how far that the company may have gotten. I was negative on copolymer, and was slapped in the face from ADS use of a tweeter of copolymer but hearing is believing. I have set up an audition for a pair of M20s, the model below the M30s that was about the last hurah. Personally I would like to get the https://www.adsspeakersservice.com/?lightbox=dataItem-jr3nhauk6 That is on Rich's site. What do you think. Quit now or investigate? I think maybe I have a mental illness and it has to do with never being satisfied. Current system is Atmos, L1230s for mains, Rest of the 7 speakers are L1290/2s. Not much room for improvement but I do believe I have a sickness. Just have to hear the models I am not familiar with.

 

[Spiceman50]

Need some advice from you guys. I just saw an ad for M20s. This is beyond my experience with ADS the L series. My last purchase of an CM5 really opened my mind to just how far that the company may have gotten. I was negative on copolymer, and was slapped in the face from ADS use of a tweeter of copolymer but hearing is believing. I have set up an audition for a pair of M20s, the model below the M30s that was about the last hurah. Personally I would like to get the https://www.adsspeakersservice.com/?lightbox=dataItem-jr3nhauk6 That is on Rich's site. What do you think. Quit now or investigate? I think maybe I have a mental illness and it has to do with never being satisfied. Current system is Atmos, L1230s for mains, Rest of the 7 speakers are L1290/2s. Not much room for improvement but I do believe I have a sickness. Just have to hear the models I am not familiar with.

You know Plugto, I'm thinking if you have an opportunity to hear those M20's, and it's safe for you to do so, Its my thoughts to go over and have a listen if not for buying, then for at least having that opportunity. They sure are a very beautiful system and VERY unique to the ADS line. I think the worst that can happen would be for you to miss that opportunity to have a hear, and spend the rest of your days wishing you did.

As a side, I bet that atmos system sounds wonderful. Although I've not assembled an atmos system yet, I'm working on it. Question, what did you use for the Atmos speakers?

Garry~

 

[avguytx]

Need some advice from you guys. I just saw an ad for M20s. This is beyond my experience with ADS the L series. My last purchase of an CM5 really opened my mind to just how far that the company may have gotten. I was negative on copolymer, and was slapped in the face from ADS use of a tweeter of copolymer but hearing is believing. I have set up an audition for a pair of M20s, the model below the M30s that was about the last hurah. Personally I would like to get the https://www.adsspeakersservice.com/?lightbox=dataItem-jr3nhauk6 That is on Rich's site. What do you think. Quit now or investigate? I think maybe I have a mental illness and it has to do with never being satisfied. Current system is Atmos, L1230s for mains, Rest of the 7 speakers are L1290/2s. Not much room for improvement but I do believe I have a sickness. Just have to hear the models I am not familiar with.

My advice would be to start your own thread about your dilemma.

 

[avguytx]

It's hard to believe it's been 3 months since I got the crossovers installed and did some initial listening on the "short wall" which did pretty decent. This past weekend, I moved them to the long wall, where I sit about 13 feet back, and hooked them up on the Onkyo Reference stack and listened to them for a few hours. I knew there would be a drastic difference in low end as I have to keep them closer to the wall which made the bass rather heavy at first. I moved them out about a foot, which is less than the manual states, but they have a nice balanced sound at that location. I will have to say that I am way more impressed with them in this location and they may take a long-term seat at this spot. It's not as easy to just swap gear around and move the Carver gear to this location and the Belle clones definitely don't need 450wpc running them with their efficiency. But, that will have to come later...somehow.

I guess the last steps now are to build new lower "bases" for them out of anything other that particle board, such as oak and painted black. I may extend the fronts and backs of the base to give them something to keep them from teetering so much from front to back...just in case The harder part will be sturdy-ing up the grill frames, painting them, and recovering with some new cloth. I want them to have their grills on them for some sort of protection plus I'm not big on looking at the actual drivers in any speakers; it just takes away from my listening. I'm just like that.

Also deliberating on sending the mids to Richard So to be updated. Just trying to decide if that's something that really needs to be done and I'll actually hear enough of a difference to substantiate the cost with my tinnitus and less than stellar hearing.

Next speakers to finish are the JBL L50's. Trying to decide on whether to peel off the orange-ish grill cloth, which is slightly tattered, and replace it with a close JBL blue grill cloth. I always thought the blue was the coolest of their grills.

 

[GD70]

It's hard to believe it's been 3 months since I got the crossovers installed and did some initial listening on the "short wall" which did pretty decent. This past weekend, I moved them to the long wall, where I sit about 13 feet back, and hooked them up on the Onkyo Reference stack and listened to them for a few hours. I knew there would be a drastic difference in low end as I have to keep them closer to the wall which made the bass rather heavy at first. I moved them out about a foot, which is less than the manual states, but they have a nice balanced sound at that location. I will have to say that I am way more impressed with them in this location and they may take a long-term seat at this spot. It's not as easy to just swap gear around and move the Carver gear to this location and the Belle clones definitely don't need 450wpc running them with their efficiency. But, that will have to come later...somehow.

I guess the last steps now are to build new lower "bases" for them out of anything other that particle board, such as oak and painted black. I may extend the fronts and backs of the base to give them something to keep them from teetering so much from front to back...just in case The harder part will be sturdy-ing up the grill frames, painting them, and recovering with some new cloth. I want them to have their grills on them for some sort of protection plus I'm not big on looking at the actual drivers in any speakers; it just takes away from my listening. I'm just like that.

Also deliberating on sending the mids to Richard So to be updated. Just trying to decide if that's something that really needs to be done and I'll actually hear enough of a difference to substantiate the cost with my tinnitus and less than stellar hearing.

Next speakers to finish are the JBL L50's. Trying to decide on whether to peel off the orange-ish grill cloth, which is slightly tattered, and replace it with a close JBL blue grill cloth. I always thought the blue was the coolest of their grills.

I would say having Richard rebuild the mids won't result in an OH WOW difference. More subtle clarity, open sound. Richard's parts won't last forever, so something to consider. With your your tinnitus, this may be beneficial.
@Spiceman50 rebuilt his bases. Check out his build.

Glenn

 

[avguytx]

I would say having Richard rebuild the mids won't result in an OH WOW difference. More subtle clarity, open sound. Richard's parts won't last forever, so something to consider. With your your tinnitus, this may be beneficial.
@Spiceman50 rebuilt his bases. Check out his build.

Glenn

I may get those domes replaced soon as I'd like to be able to get the most out of the mids and highs as possible. The woofers seem better now and I had no noise issues with them doing soe reasonable "jamming" like I'd heard before I rebuilt the crossovers and cleaned those switches.

I looked for his thread on the bases but couldn't find anything on a short search so will try later. I just need to get the wood this weekend and knock those out and ultimately something that will keep them from teetering as I have an almost 100-lb, 1 year old, German Shepherd "puppy" that's typically upstairs when I'm listening and would rather them not get pushed over by her girth. ha

 

[Spiceman50]

I may get those domes replaced soon as I'd like to be able to get the most out of the mids and highs as possible. The woofers seem better now and I had no noise issues with them doing soe reasonable "jamming" like I'd heard before I rebuilt the crossovers and cleaned those switches.

I looked for his thread on the bases but couldn't find anything on a short search so will try later. I just need to get the wood this weekend and knock those out and ultimately something that will keep them from teetering as I have an almost 100-lb, 1 year old, German Shepherd "puppy" that's typically upstairs when I'm listening and would rather them not get pushed over by her girth. ha

About 4 posts down from the top. Although this is my L1530's they are the same design at the L1230's. If your lucky and have your risers, that will make the job a lot easier to build. You can find the exact size Oak from Home Depot. I did make these risers just a bit taller because I was attempting to build a dolly system.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ads-l1530-challanges.921924/#post-13954296

 

[avguytx]

About 4 posts down from the top. Although this is my L1530's they are the same design at the L1230's. If your lucky and have your risers, that will make the job a lot easier to build. You can find the exact size Oak from Home Depot. I did make these risers just a bit taller because I was attempting to build a dolly system.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ads-l1530-challanges.921924/#post-13954296

Yes, enough of the risers are on mine to pattern out something new and I'm going to paint them black as I don't want to order any walnut veneer. I'm going to go with something basic for "outriggers" using 1" wide x 1/4" thick metal maybe 20" to 24" total length; something that allows about the same amount to the front and rear for equal balance.

Really enjoying listening to these so far. The long wall is apparently the better sounding of the locations. The Belle clones sounded kind of anemic on the short wall, too, depending on the distance away (wavelength).

Now if a pair of 1530's will come just along for even twice what I paid for these. Haha.

 

[Spiceman50]

Yes, enough of the risers are on mine to pattern out something new and I'm going to paint them black as I don't want to order any walnut veneer. I'm going to go with something basic for "outriggers" using 1" wide x 1/4" thick metal maybe 20" to 24" total length; something that allows about the same amount to the front and rear for equal balance.

Really enjoying listening to these so far. The long wall is apparently the better sounding of the locations. The Belle clones sounded kind of anemic on the short wall, too, depending on the distance away (wavelength).

Now if a pair of 1530's will come just along for even twice what I paid for these. Haha.

I think the outrigger idea would work out quite nicely to be honest. I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of that fella! I actually ordered the bit that ADS used on the miters but it never delivered in time so I cancelled the order and just butt cut the joints, which is just fine and it all served the purpose.

Really glad your enjoying yours. I've temporarily set my out of rotation (so to speak), for no other reason that dealing with space issues at this time. I've worked it all out, but need to take some vacation time and get this all sorted out. As I said, I'm not going to sell the L1230's just because I have the L1530's. Each has a unique personality and I enjoy the difference.

Question, have you tried switching the speakers left/right so the Tweeters and Midranges point outside? My room doesn't accommodate that advantage much because one of the walls has full length curtains and the high's don't bounce off the walls as intended to expand the sound stage. The one wall works quite good though.

Garry~

 

[avguytx]

These have been parked in my "main setup" now for a couple of weeks and I can honestly say I love the way they sound. I've found myself re-listening to lots of recordings I know well and hearing positive differences in the impressive presentation of staging and depth. (even with my tinnitus) I've got them about a foot off the wall and wish I could go more, but, I really can't on the long wall wall. I may try them again one day on the short wall and see how they fare.

I've got another pair of "idle speakers" pending sale so funds from that will probably be used to send the mids back to Richard and have those redone while they can. Haven't had a chance to work on the bases yet but maybe while the mids are gone and I move another pair in place, I'll have some time. Always something going on with projects still with a new build hous; even if we have been in since 5/2020.

 

[GD70]

These have been parked in my "main setup" now for a couple of weeks and I can honestly say I love the way they sound. I've found myself re-listening to lots of recordings I know well and hearing positive differences in the impressive presentation of staging and depth. (even with my tinnitus) I've got them about a foot off the wall and wish I could go more, but, I really can't on the long wall wall. I may try them again one day on the short wall and see how they fare.

I've got another pair of "idle speakers" pending sale so funds from that will probably be used to send the mids back to Richard and have those redone while they can. Haven't had a chance to work on the bases yet but maybe while the mids are gone and I move another pair in place, I'll have some time. Always something going on with projects still with a new build hous; even if we have been in since 5/2020.

If you can, post a couple pics of the long wall setup! We love pics!

 

[Spiceman50]

These have been parked in my "main setup" now for a couple of weeks and I can honestly say I love the way they sound. I've found myself re-listening to lots of recordings I know well and hearing positive differences in the impressive presentation of staging and depth. (even with my tinnitus) I've got them about a foot off the wall and wish I could go more, but, I really can't on the long wall wall. I may try them again one day on the short wall and see how they fare.

I've got another pair of "idle speakers" pending sale so funds from that will probably be used to send the mids back to Richard and have those redone while they can. Haven't had a chance to work on the bases yet but maybe while the mids are gone and I move another pair in place, I'll have some time. Always something going on with projects still with a new build hous; even if we have been in since 5/2020.

You and I could talk into the wee hours in front of a pair of these.

 

[avguytx]

You and I could talk into the wee hours in front of a pair of these.

I would imagine so. They are quite nice to listen to. Far beyond what my L810's were.

If you can, post a couple pics of the long wall setup! We love pics!

Here's 3 shots or the room. Sad part is, we spent 5 hours cleaning and organizing yesterday and it still looks overly cluttered to me. Ha. We put some shelves in the closet which got some small stuff and older non-usef equipment out of site. There are 5 pairs of speakers in there that are in the process of being finished to sell off as I don't need things I don't use regularly.

All the furniture and big speakers are on furniture sliders so I can switch spots when I feel the need. Lol

 

[Spiceman50]

I would imagine so. They are quite nice to listen to. Far beyond what my L810's were.



Here's 3 shots or the room. Dad part is, we spent 5 hours cleaning and organizing yesterday and it still looks overly cluttered to me. Ha. We put some shelves in the closet which got some small stuff and older non-usef equipment out of site. There are 5 pairs of speakers in there that are in the process of being finished to sell off as I don't need things I don't use regularly.

All the furniture and big speakers are on furniture sliders so I can switch spots when I feel the need. Lol

View attachment 2080065 View attachment 2080066 View attachment 2080067

They look so elegent in there. Very nice.

 

[GD70]

I would imagine so. They are quite nice to listen to. Far beyond what my L810's were.



Here's 3 shots or the room. Sad part is, we spent 5 hours cleaning and organizing yesterday and it still looks overly cluttered to me. Ha. We put some shelves in the closet which got some small stuff and older non-usef equipment out of site. There are 5 pairs of speakers in there that are in the process of being finished to sell off as I don't need things I don't use regularly.

All the furniture and big speakers are on furniture sliders so I can switch spots when I feel the need. Lol

View attachment 2080065 View attachment 2080066 View attachment 2080067

Thanks for posting the pics! Lovely listening room!

 

[doctorolds]

It seems that you have easily settled into your new home @avguytx. I'm happy for you!
How I wish I had your space to position things to my liking. Im sure that you've worked hard to obtain what you have, enjoy sir!

 

[avguytx]

Mids came back today from Richard and I was glad to get them back in place. Doubtful I'll do the woofers as all 4 of them seem to be working fine even if they aren't the most attractive. Hopefully I'll get to recovering the grills soon as I'd rather them be on.

 

[Spiceman50]

Beautiful Kip!!! Geqt news you got the mids back. Forgive me if I dont recall if you ever said you sent the crossovers into Richard? I'm on my phone and have electrical tape over my thumb to stop the bleeding from a gash I recieved tonight. Nothing I'd get a stitch for even if I needed to, but it makes it hard to go back to see if you mentioned anything about the crossover.

Why it's important, is that if your L1230's develop any scratchy noises in the woofers at certain frequencys, it could be the Bi-amp switches. Was a few of us developed that issue about a year ago just around the same time.

The fix, may have differed, but the issue surrounded the switch or electronic circuit. Cleaning or soldering the contacts resolved the issues for us, and according to Richard it's a common problem after 30 years.

Proud for you Kip, Its a wonderful well balanced speaker system.

Garry

 

[avguytx]

@Spiceman50 I didn't send Richard the crossovers as I've built and worked on many crossovers since the late 80's. I replaced all the caps and resistors with Mundorf, nothing crazy expensive, and I cleaned the switches and reflowed the solder joints. They sound pretty solid and I am quite happy with them.

If it wasn't $300+ to get the woofers done, I'd probably consider it but that's a little tougher to swing at the moment. Now, if I get my Belle clones sold in the near future, I might do that. I still need to strip the original material off the grills and solidify the frames/repaint then recover them with something less restrictive. I've just got to get some house projects knocked out before that happens or wait till fall. I'm not one that cares to run speakers without their grills; does nothing for me to see the drivers. I've also got the solid oak to make new bases that need to be done at some point, too. As time allows as usual.

I do enjoy the L1230's a lot. I wish my HF hearing range didn't drop out at 10khz like it does along with tinnitus. I miss those days of being able to hear a fly fart in the wind at 100 yards away. lol.

 

[Spiceman50]

Hi Kip!

Thanks for the memory refresh. Sorry I've not been around had some family issues out of town and was difficult to go back though the thread. I finally got to that last night. When I got my L1530's two of the woofers had fried voice coils so I had to send those in for rebuild. As two of them work and ohm fine, I decided not to send in the working two .... at least right away. I still may do that just because there was evidence that the speakers may have been driven hard at some point and as Richard is starting to run low on parts, it may work out better if I just send them in and have him evaluate and or re-build them. The Woofers NEVER come up on the bay, so Id be SOL if they give up on me and Richard doesn't have VC's in stock.

Really sorry to hear about the Tinnitus. I've got a little age related hearing loss, but it's not bad at all considering my age. High and low freq. ranges are still quite good.

Be sure to post any information you gather on the grill cloth. Thats a tough one to work on. Believe me, I know. I have a fairly good match which I found for my center and surrounds, but the company I bought the material is no longer listed on either ebay or Amazon.

I had mentioned earlier to be careful when moving the speakers without the risers. That trim board will snap like a limb if your not careful. It's just compressed wood under the walnut veneer.

Garry~