Aztec Cezanne IIs and one AR2ax

[tedrock]

So after a couple months of checking the local thifts several times a week I have finally stumbled onto something.

2 mint condition Aztec Cezanne IIs for $20 and a single AR2ax for $10.

The Aztecs look like they are worth the $20 gamble. Any one have any experience with these speakers? They seem like a pretty rare breed from the internet searches I've done.

The AR2ax - should I pick this ONE up and wait for another to show up? The cabinet looks to be in decent shape, not perfect, and the grill cloth is stained. No way to audition at this thift though... I have NO experience rehabbing speakers and will probably not tackle it with a single speaker.

All advice, encouragement, opinions, chiding welcome!

 

[sealy]

May we see some pictures of the Aztecs?

 

[superdog]

I believe Aztecs were a Denver,Co. speaker company in the 70's.I heard they were decent speakers.I don't know personally as I have never heard them.Yes I would pick up that AR for $10.Don't wait too long or they will be gone.

 

[qat727]

No clue on the Aztecs, but I concur about picking up the AR. Between the surround and the pots, it's almost certain it won't work right, though. I just picked up two of the AR-2ax's and I'm in the process of rehabbing them. There are enough orphans floating around it's just a matter of time before a mate shows up.

As far as having no experience rehabbing, I think it's a decent speaker to start with. It's not that easy, but it's not nearly as hard as some can be. If you can get one fixed up and back together, the average refoam and cleaning will be easy from then on.

 

[tedrock]

Thanks for the advice - no pictures of the Aztecs... yet.
I'm going back there when they open around 10 am and much to the chagrin of my wife, will be picking up those speakers. Any advice on how to hide a AR2ax in a 1,000 sf house?

 

[SPL db]

That model of Aztec is a decent speaker, but given the choice between the two, I'd take the ARs.

Course there are two Aztecs and only one AR... :scratch2:

Scott

 

[gearhound]

Aztec.....out of Denver, Co......made pretty decent speakers.
But.....like Rhode Island-made Avid speakers......never sold in any significant numbers.


Steve

 

[qat727]

Any advice on how to hide a AR2ax in a 1,000 sf house?

In plain sight. If that won't work, claim you just got a new end table and you'll be picking up a mate as soon as you can.

 

[anytune]

re: orphans

Definitely go pick up the AR2ax. I'm using two orphans together right now. An ADS L-990, a truly fantastic speaker that I hope one day to find a mate for. I'm running it with a single Design Acoustic PS-10 -- an odd looking, but excellent sounding pair! :thmbsp:

 

[diddlybopper]

There is quite a writeup here on the Aztec line just do a search.I remember finding it when I picked up a pair of the Minuette spkrs.still sound good.
I guess the AR answers my question as I found but haven't bought yet an orphaned AR5.Cab is good,grille is crap and it'll need re-foam so I guess I best go and buy it.

 

[tedrock]

Aztec Cezanne II pictures

I took some pictures of these Aztecs to provide some record of them - I've found almost nothing online about these speakers and not a single image.

I also need some help from the restoration guys out there - How do I get the back cabinet off of these guys? Do I drive the finish nails INTO the cabinet? I can't figure out how I would pull the nails out so I am thinking driving them in is the only option...

The Aztec Cezanne II measures 12 w x 9 5/8 d x 22 h
I think this is a 3 way speaker from listening to it, but have not yet seen the condition of the drivers. There is a switch on the back for three settings; normal, minimum and maximum. Maximum definitely makes the speakers louder but I cannot tell if it is changing the signal values for the high and low end (not sure if I am saying that correctly). Any ideas on what this switch is really doing?

The cabinet is really sweet - 3/4" ply wood with a nice 3/16" veneer, bevelled edges and a routered edge... Very solid. I'd guess these babies weigh in the neighborhood of 30-35 pounds. The grill is held higher in the middle by a round dowel (perhaps metal?) and lower on the top and bottom (by tucking behind the cabinet). They feel like VERY well put together speakers.

They sound very smooth - not necessarily precise, but smooth.

I'd love opinion and reactions, if you've got em. And how the heck do I get the backs off of these things, and then once I do, how should I reattach?

 

[ZebraBlvd]

I'll put in my 2 centavo's worth on the Aztecs. I own a pair of the Gaughin's & Cezanne's. I use both sets as side kicks, sorta speaking, for my Cornwall's. The Cezanne's really fill a small hole for me when listening to vocal/acoustic music. Then when listening to R&R I will kick in the Gaughin's which have a lot more punch in the bass area. Sometimes I will just listen to the Aztecs together without the Cornwall's in the picture. I for one have never been disappointed in the Aztecs, especially when they have been placed correctly.

If you have a small to medium size listening area, and have a chance to find some Aztec's, give these speakers a try. You might be pleasantly surprised in what they can do.