Boston Acoustics T1000

[Donal64]

Kinda looking around for a set of speakers and really don't know a lot about specs, what makes a good speaker, what the different parts are, etc. Kinda ignorant, in other words. There is a pair of Boston Acoustics T1000 available for under $100. The supposed low price due , he says , to the poor cosmetic condition. Cosmetics are not real important to me, I want them to sound good. Is this a good buy? And what should I look out for, if I go check them out?
There is also a pair of Boston Acoustic VR940s for just over $100, and in pretty good shape. Any thoughts on those?

 

[62caddy]

Still have the pair I bought new back in 1989 if that says anything...Decomposition of the woofer surrounds is well known. Supposed to be not a difficult task on these.

If working up to snuff, could do a lot worse for a C-note.

 

[swechsler]

The T1000s are a good price, here's a previous thread about them. Before purchasing you should ensure that all drivers are original. They might need to be refoamed.

 

[Donal64]

Ok. I bought the Boston Acoustic T1000s. I now have them in my apartment. Price was $85 + about $20 gas and 1.5hr drive each way. He had the speakers hooked up when I arrived and I was able to verify that the woofers, mids, and tweeters do work. The cabinet is a bit rough , with some scratches and such. And the tops , for some reason , look kinda weathered and the wood lamination has gaps where it is supposed to meet, but that does not bother me a bit. The surrounds, if that is what they are called, look like new to me. They don't look worn, or dried out or show any sign of deterioration, to my inexperienced eye. I had asked were the drivers original , and he said they look original to him. I got these off craigslist, and i think this guy buys and sells stuff. These speakers were also listed on ebay. The auction ended about the time that I arrived at the guys house . There were no bids on the speakers. And these things are heavy. I think I read they weigh 60lbs each. After I got the speakers in my apartment, I took the screws out and pulled out one of the mids. I thought it might have a brand name on it somewhere. No names. It had a date of, I think, 6/4/88. I'm thinking I got lucky. I'll know more in a day or two. Thanks guys, for the replies and the advice.

 

[ivandezande]

Ok. I bought the Boston Acoustic T1000s. I now have them in my apartment. Price was $85 + about $20 gas and 1.5hr drive each way. He had the speakers hooked up when I arrived and I was able to verify that the woofers, mids, and tweeters do work. The cabinet is a bit rough , with some scratches and such. And the tops , for some reason , look kinda weathered and the wood lamination has gaps where it is supposed to meet, but that does not bother me a bit. The surrounds, if that is what they are called, look like new to me. They don't look worn, or dried out or show any sign of deterioration, to my inexperienced eye. I had asked were the drivers original , and he said they look original to him. I got these off craigslist, and i think this guy buys and sells stuff. These speakers were also listed on ebay. The auction ended about the time that I arrived at the guys house . There were no bids on the speakers. And these things are heavy. I think I read they weigh 60lbs each. After I got the speakers in my apartment, I took the screws out and pulled out one of the mids. I thought it might have a brand name on it somewhere. No names. It had a date of, I think, 6/4/88. I'm thinking I got lucky. I'll know more in a day or two. Thanks guys, for the replies and the advice.


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They do appear to be refoamed, which is great except it doesn't look like they were done very well, nor did they use the correct foams, it should roll onto the cone and not have an edge.

 

[Donal64]

They do appear to be refoamed, which is great except it doesn't look like they were done very well, nor did they use the correct foams, it should roll onto the cone and not have an edge.

Would this cause a problem with the sound quality? Should I consider re-foaming them?

 

[swechsler]

They do seem to be the correct drivers. The foams look like they were done properly on the speaker on the right of the picture.

 

[Donal64]

They do seem to be the correct drivers. The foams look like they were done properly on the speaker on the right of the picture.

I just took a closer look at both towers. The foams to me, look to be done the same way, basically , on both towers. The difference that I saw, is that the the foams of the tower on the right, had a glue bed extending well onto the cone, all around the foam. The foam on the left tower, the glue is all under the foam, with none showing.

 

[jberger]

The pushed-in dustcap can usually be 'popped out'; either a vacuum cleaner hose to suck it out, or some masking tape carefully pressed down on the wrinkle, then a quick tug (repeat as needed).

 

[62caddy]

The issue with top of the one speaker looks like water damage which is usually caused by watering plants placed on top of speakers.

 

[Donal64]

The issue with top of the one speaker looks like water damage which is usually caused by watering plants placed on top of speakers.

I was trying to figure how they got that way. Did not think of plants. Got to listen to them a bit. I've been using KLH satellite speakers, and headphones. I can tell you, the difference in sound is very satisfying.

 

[62caddy]

I was trying to figure how they got that way. Did not think of plants. Got to listen to them a bit. I've been using KLH satellite speakers, and headphones. I can tell you, the difference in sound is very satisfying.

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Glad you're enjoying them. Someone once reported finding the T1000 a bit bass shy which was also my experience when using them with a Proton receiver that I had purchased at the same time as the speakers. When I finally upgraded the electronics 25 years later, the performance of the speakers (particularly bass response), was completely transformed. The bass is clean, authoritative and deep with the tone controls set to flat. Midrange is spot on with excellent high frequency dispersion.

I would look into Howards Wood Restorer oil which many have reported excellent results with damaged wood veneers.