Bozak, 302A variant large cabinet

[rmeade]

I stumbled on a 302A variant this weekend at a local estate sale. The cabinets are big ...5.7 cuft and heavy. I suspect it is a custom cabinet made locally here in CA, for Bozak components, in the early 60's. They are in very good condition. I peaked inside the cabinet and spyed Bozak components, crossover. There was an unprotected midrange. I am very surprised at the sound, I was expecting attenuated highs (old capacitors, right) but that does not seem to be an issue. I will probably listen for a while and consider improvements to crossover, mid protection, possibly cabinet bracing.

Any suggestions?

 

[bigaltx24]

Look at the tweeters, if they have a silver dust cover they are paper cone B200X. If they are, replace with aluminum cone B200Y or B200Yc

 

[rmeade]

I suspect that i have the B200x version. I shined a flashlight on the tweeter (through the grill) and a silver dome reflected the light. For the moment it sounds fine. But i understand that these are prone to failure.

 

[drbiggles]

Hey man,

The B200X paper cone tweeters aren't prone to failure. But they do start to slide off around 9k and can get more than shrieky in their response. The later B200Y aluminum cone tweeters are preferred. I've tried both original and Pat Tobin's 104T schematic for the N10102 3-way crossovers. Pat Tobin's work is solid. And it works within Rudy Bozak's original design, you're not going outside of factory settings.

Congratulations on your score, I'm jealous!

Biggles

 

[drbiggles]

OH, the B200X tweeters were not for the Pat Tobin design. FYI

 

[rmeade]

Thanks Dr Biggles

 

[Sam Cogley]

The paper cone mids and tweeters can't handle as much power as the later versions, both due to changes in the voice coil and the aluminum serving as a heat sink. Blown B200X tweeters aren't too uncommon.