Arena Speakers-Anybody Know Anything?

[dc270]

I am considering these- supposed to be a Denmark type- looks like KEY race trace woofers.

Anybody know anything about them?
DC

 

[Nat]

Does look like two KEF B139s per, which would suggest they were designed by someone ambitious, and that the other drivers might be equally fine. I think you should bite if you can afford it.

 

[dc270]

I am very tempted- just want to hedge my bet if I can!
DC

 

[hifi_nut]

Does look like two KEF B139s per, which would suggest they were designed by someone ambitious, and that the other drivers might be equally fine. I think you should bite if you can afford it.

The three midrange drivers could well be B-110´s.

 

[Nat]

Well, assuming they are B139s, they have a healthy value all on their own.
I can't see what the other drivers are at all...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Go, Go, Go......:yes:

 

[Rolf Zetterberg]

Yes,they were the TOTL made by Arena,Denmark in 1968.Take a look at this site(scroll all the way down)and there's a photo of the design team with the T9000 receiver and the big loudspeaker that has the wellknown KEF drivers:
http://www.rfr.dk/Deutsch/aktuelt.asp
more pictures here:
http://www.hifi4all.dk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71621&PN=1

 

[Sebastiona]

The speakers you show look like the Rank Arena HT 25 speaker that, according to the catalogue, is equipped with 9 drivers and one passive radiator.
(see http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/arena72/ for a catalogue)
Bas

 

[MunkeyQ]

Those look like the early B139s with the unpainted frame, most of which have a foam surround rather than rubber like the later black frame ones. If it is indeed foam, it'll be rotten and near impossible to refoam due to the weird shape. The last unpainted frame B139s did have rubber and not foam though, so it's well worth checking.

From the front, there's no way of telling whether it's a passive radiator or active B139 though.

Very interesting speakers which are definetely worth looking into IMO. Good link Sebastiona - I wonder if Rank Arena have any relation to Rank Wharfedale...

 

[Tom Brennan]

From what Lynn Olsen says it seems that several good speakers that used the 139 were good despite it's use, not because of it.

 

[dc270]

Heads up guys- I bought them and they are the real deal!!!! Thanks for the encouragements......

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=219494

DC

 

[Teradacto58]

I own a pair of Arena Speakers!!

That's a pretty Sweet KEF FIND!!!.............I have a pair of teak Arena Speakers, with blue cloth grills. I found them at a thrift store a few years ago for $55.00. The deal included a Grundig RT 380 4band Stereo Receiver. The sound sold me!!! When I got home I took the backs off, inside there was an 8" Sinus paper cone woofer & 2" paper cone tweeter. Both drivers were labeled "Made in Norway". Boxes were approx. 5" x 17" x 22" They sound very nice hooked up to my Vintage Tube Telefunken Receiver!!($43.00 swapmeet find) My speakers are similar to the page below..

http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/arena72/arena72-14.jpg

 

[dc270]

That's a pretty Sweet KEF FIND!!!.............I have a pair of teak Arena Speakers, with blue cloth grills. I found them at a thrift store a few years ago for $55.00. The deal included a Grundig RT 380 4band Stereo Receiver. The sound sold me!!! When I got home I took the backs off, inside there was an 8" Sinus paper cone woofer & 2" paper cone tweeter. Both drivers were labeled "Made in Norway". Boxes were approx. 5" x 17" x 22" They sound very nice hooked up to my Vintage Tube Telefunken Receiver!!($43.00 swapmeet find) My speakers are similar to the page below..

http://wegavision.pytalhost.com/arena72/arena72-14.jpg

Those are very nice as well!! I never knew this model before now but am a believer. I rather wonder though. One the model as large as mine it must have taken some large amps of the day to push them- what were the larger amps that the Danish had in the day to drive these larger speakers they produced? I don;t know if Grundig had such a thing as a "muscle amp".

Thanks for the photo page- kewl looking stuff there!
DC

 

[MunkeyQ]

Those are very nice as well!! I never knew this model before now but am a believer. I rather wonder though. One the model as large as mine it must have taken some large amps of the day to push them- what were the larger amps that the Danish had in the day to drive these larger speakers they produced? I don;t know if Grundig had such a thing as a "muscle amp".

Thanks for the photo page- kewl looking stuff there!
DC

Grundig did do some big iron amps. Unfortunately I don't have any photos handy, but I have (in storage...) a massive 45lb Grundig amp with a power transformer that puts most all but the monster receivers to shame.

These are quite rare though - it's the first Grundig amp I've stumbled across. It's from the early 70's and has some weird quirks...like a power switch operated by a 2 foot long string and a system of pulleys.