Best bookshelf speakers from the '60s

[Guest101]

I have a '66 McIntosh MA5100 integrated amp that I'd like to mate with the best bookself speaker of the day to use in a small 10' x 13' room. Are there any good bookshelf speakers from the '60s?

 

[jameswei]

I think all the AR bookshelf speakers will do fine.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

The ar 4xa are very nice, I was listening to them with a fisher 500c circa 66 and was astonished at how well they matched. WIll try the KLH 6's tonight but they are, to me at least, as bit big for a bookshelf.

 

[AR4x]

Best? Not sure if there's the best speaker but i will put my cash on AR5, AR2ax or the Dynaco A25. Bozak & JBL speakers sound nice with MC gear too.

 

[jameswei]

AR4X,
I have a pair of Ar 4xa but one tweeter doesn't have any sound and I thought that the Pot needs to be cleaned, when I open it up there were no "pot" in there. What do you suggest?

 

[EWizard]

Bozak 201's, Sonora's, look pretty good I think.

 

[AR4x]

AR4X,
I have a pair of Ar 4xa but one tweeter doesn't have any sound and I thought that the Pot needs to be cleaned, when I open it up there were no "pot" in there. What do you suggest?

Can you try measuring the bad tweeter separately?

 

[BOUXY]

60's Wharfedales...............

 

[tyeeslayer]

60's Wharfedales...............

Ha ha you beat Gang Twanger to that one......

 

[dnewma04]

AR5 or KLH5 if you must stick with that era.

 

[stonedeaf]

A-25

I will compulsively rescue these from estate sales anytime I encounter them. Have yet to run into a non-working speaker. By today's standards they are a little rolled off in the highs - but clean bass -and absolutely lovely mid/voice range. Rubber woofer surrounds - so no foam rot issues. Heck -even the wood veneer models look pretty darn nice and the vinyl wraps are -eh-ah-em - well vinyl wraps.

 

[Octaven]

Agree that the AR-4x is a good representative of the period. If you're looking for something that's genuinely small, ADC 404.

 

[AR4x]

I will compulsively rescue these from estate sales anytime I encounter them. Have yet to run into a non-working speaker. By today's standards they are a little rolled off in the highs - but clean bass -and absolutely lovely mid/voice range. Rubber woofer surrounds - so no foam rot issues. Heck -even the wood veneer models look pretty darn nice and the vinyl wraps are -eh-ah-em - well vinyl wraps.

I agree.

I found the A25XL giving out pretty good high, compared to something giving very good high (Philips 9710M) :yes:

I once paired my XL with Mcintosh 2505 (direct, without per-amplifier) with a Harman Kardon HD 990 CDP (not very decent source) and the sound was pretty good.

 

[Pandovski]

AR2ax.

 

[superdog]

I haven't heard a lot of 60s bookshelfs but I am very impressed with the AR4X.

 

[kpaxfaq]

Altec Boleros, a little on the big side but excellent speakers.

 

[CLS500]

Wharfedale W45's would be good in that small space if you listen to jazz and smooth vocals (three way sealed/all cone/10" woofer) Very warm and smooth sound. However, they are not easy to find. W60's would be very nice if you have the space; they are larger than the W45's and use 12" woofer. A-25's (Dynaco) are very well thought of on this site. AR4X is also very good if you like the "east coast" sound. Small 1960's Altec's are nice but very expensive. Lots of others...

 

[pdm4606]

60's speakers

Not even a mention of JBL.
How gross.
Some fine stuff to look at.
L-100, the old standby plus others. A little later then the 60's but I would say still in the running.

Paul

 

[AR4x]

Best? Not sure if there's the best speaker but i will put my cash on AR5, AR2ax or the Dynaco A25. Bozak & JBL speakers sound nice with MC gear too.

I did say JBL here but it seems like more kind of "East Coast" guys involved in the threat :scratch2:

 

[superdog]

Not even a mention of JBL.
How gross.
Some fine stuff to look at.
L-100, the old standby plus others. A little later then the 60's but I would say still in the running.

Paul

I know the L100 is labeled as a book shelf speaker but my idea of a bookshelf is something like a ar4x size.