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ADS L700 Speakers ++

Airjmax

Airjmax

Active Member
Great day for vintage audio finds! I was at a garage sale a couple weeks ago, and asked if they had any old stereo equipment. The lady said she did, but wouldn't be selling it until later at a second sale. I gave her my number and asked if I could have first crack at it. By some miracle, she called me today, and I flew over to check it out. She had a Yamaha CR-620 receiver, ADS L700 speakers, and a Technics SL-1700 turntable, which she claimed was all in working order. The stuff was dusty, but in extremely nice condition. I offered $100, which she quickly accepted. I'm familiar with the Yamaha and Technics, but I'd never heard any ADS speakers. The L700's were about 22" tall and close to 40lbs each, and have rubber surrounds, so I was interested. I welcome any comments about them, mostly if they are keepers. I connected everything, and it sounded very nice to me, but haven't had time to fully test the speakers with some different types of music. The turntable and receiver both work perfectly!
57800622819__766A889F-EA4C-464E-AD2C-CF9328706AD6.JPG 57800624855__8AE81414-1AA0-42F0-8118-FADDCB2FF22B.JPG IMG_4359.JPG IMG_4360.JPG 57800627258__5CE45B78-E823-454A-BDBE-C4747489CA35.JPG 57800628836__19817F75-7862-4490-9A55-612C2EFFC9CA.JPG 57800630437__4B1F58E5-35B0-4DC6-8556-65AB777BA78E.JPG
 
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Damn, what a steal (but I assume you know that already). Bet it sounds fantastic (although check the stylus before you play any records you care about).
 
sx-70 said:
Replacement woofers on the L700 but looks like it was done with care.
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Wow, thanks for bursting my bubble! Just kidding, but how did you know? It seems like the woofers are very nice quality. I'll have to pull one to see what they are. Interesting that they have the metal plates, which I haven't seen in any photos online. Thanks for pointing out what now is obvious.
 
Very interesting.

Looks like a good deal for $100.

I don't think those are in the L series, though. Seems like it would have an L in the model number.
 
Airjmax said:
Wow, thanks for bursting my bubble! Just kidding, but how did you know? It seems like the woofers are very nice quality. I'll have to pull one to see what they are. Interesting that they have the metal plates, which I haven't seen in any photos online. Thanks for pointing out what now is obvious.
Click to expand...

If you do a good image search for ADS L700, you'll find pics of them with the original woofers. Yours definitely aren't original but do look good. I'd say the tweeter is more important overall.

BigElCat said:
Very interesting.

Looks like a good deal for $100.

I don't think those are in the L series, though. Seems like it would have an L in the model number.
Click to expand...

If you look a the pic of the front, it says L700 on the bottom left.
 
Airjmax said:
Wow, thanks for bursting my bubble!
Click to expand...

Instant complete system for 100 bones? Even with the replacement woofers that’s a scroe for sure! Looks to all be in really nice shape.

As far as the speakers you can’t tell with the grill on which should stay in place anyway to protect that sticky dome tweeter...

Don’t see L700’s very often. Pretty cool.
 
sx-70 said:
Replacement woofers on the L700 but looks like it was done with care.
Click to expand...
Good catch on the replacement woofers - - I totally missed that

The OP speakers are model 700 (no "L"). With the L series, the models were L710, L730, and L780. Attached below is info on original drivers for the 700. Correct woofer would be p/n 206-0325.

ads 700.jpg
 
ra.ra said:
Good catch on the replacement woofers - - I totally missed that

The OP speakers are model 700 (no "L"). With the L series, the models were L710, L730, and L780. Attached below is info on original drivers for the 700. Correct woofer would be p/n 206-0325.

View attachment 1491983
Click to expand...

It’s a bit tough to see but in the first pic, the badge on the bottom left really looks like L700. Am I reading that wrong?
 
Here’s another 700 - can definitely see an L on the badge there too. Probably a transition piece nomenclature wise.

9D51292A-CEE1-4B9D-8348-E7642495B81D.jpeg
 
sx-70 said:
Probably a transition piece nomenclature wise.
Click to expand...
Yep, probably right about that. I have a product sheet showing an L700 speaker still under the Braun name, and I also located this pic of ads L700 rear label with early Cambridge address. My previous comments were based on a 1992 cross referenced parts list that lists a 700 but no L700.

L700 rear.jpg
L700 front label.jpg
 
I pulled one of the woofers, and this is what I found: Audax HT 170K0. Anybody know if they are good quality?

Audax.jpg IMG_4381.jpeg
 
ra.ra said:
Good catch on the replacement woofers - - I totally missed that

The OP speakers are model 700 (no "L"). With the L series, the models were L710, L730, and L780. Attached below is info on original drivers for the 700. Correct woofer would be p/n 206-0325.

View attachment 1491983
Click to expand...
I must have a mashup of some kind, because the sticker in the lower left corner of the baffle reads, "ADS L700".
IMG_4369.jpeg
 
Yeah, probably right, but it's really hard to say since you're missing all original woofers. Am unfamiliar with the Audax driver, but as others have stated, the install was done with great care and this brand is well-respected in certain circles.
 
ra.ra said:
Yeah, probably right, but it's really hard to say since you're missing all original woofers. Am unfamiliar with the Audax driver, but as others have stated, the install was done with great care and this brand is well-respected in certain circles.
Click to expand...
It's really unbelievable how solid the replacement is. They cut steel plates and drilled and threaded the holes for the screws that hold the woofers to the plate.

I did some critical listening tonight, and with no previous ADS reference, I think the drivers may be appropriate replacements. They certainly did not sound "wrong". The bass was plentiful with the tone control set to flat on my Sansui 5000x, and the midrange was clear and detailed.

I've seen may recommendations here on AK to buy drivers from Madisound, and they carry many Audax products, including an almost identical woofer to the one I have. I might have to let these go, but I hate to because of the near-mint condition.
 
Airjmax said:
It's really unbelievable how solid the replacement is. They cut steel plates and drilled and threaded the holes for the screws that hold the woofers to the plate.

I did some critical listening tonight, and with no previous ADS reference, I think the drivers may be appropriate replacements. They certainly did not sound "wrong". The bass was plentiful with the tone control set to flat on my Sansui 5000x, and the midrange was clear and detailed.

I've seen may recommendations here on AK to buy drivers from Madisound, and they carry many Audax products, including an almost identical woofer to the one I have. I might have to let these go, but I hate to because of the near-mint condition.
Click to expand...
Hey Max,

You like how they sound, that's all that matters, then keep them!
Have you tried the Yahama yet?

Glenn
 
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