Bozak Concert Grands

[DEADTVS]

I've been watching a pair for over a year. Initial asking price was $2300, he's down to $1800. They are 1967 build, Classic cabinets. They are about a 8.5-9 cosmetically. They come with the bi-amp module and crossovers, and original (unrestored) crossovers are included. Is $1800 a good price? I was thinking of offering $1500, but doubt he'd take it. These would be quite a commitment for me, as I live very rural, and it's very hard to flip speakers around here. I have never heard any large Bozaks, but everything I read makes me think I'd like them, and I have pretty much a perfect room for them. What I don't have are a good set of matching amps to bi-amp, so that would be a dilemma - restore original XO's or get at least one more amp. I have a Yamaha A-700, which would probably be my top choice were I to try to find a matching one. I've read more than once that Yammie's are a good match for Bozaks, and for now I can't afford much more in the power dept.

Anyway, anyone want to weigh in the $$$, I'd love to hear from you.

 

[stereofanboy]

Yamaha A-700 doesn't have preamp ins/outs does it? If not, how would you use it in a bi-amping setup?

I don't know anything specific about the going rate for B-410s, but Stereophile claims they were $2000 per side in 1965, so they must be rare.

You may never see another pair in this condition, so if you can afford them and want them I don't see how you can pass these up.

On the other hand, if you don't have a hankering for this specific model of speaker, that amount of money can go a long way when speaker shopping even if you live in the boonies.

Just as an example, a little over half that will get a pair of JBL Studio 590s delivered anywhere in the contiguous United States.

 

[RossW]

You may never see another pair in this condition, so if you can afford them and want them I don't see how you can pass these up.

On the other hand, if you don't have a hankering for this specific model of speaker, that amount of money can go a long way when speaker shopping even if you live in the boonies.

+1 to all of this.

Value is hard to pin down, but in general (at least in my experience) big speakers prices are trending downward pretty aggressively unless they are one of a few highly collectible brands (think JBL, Altec, etc.). For reference there's a somewhat rough pair of B-410 on eBay for $999 BIN that has been listed for over a week.

There's definitely something magical about big Bozaks, but we're talking about a pair of speakers that is the size and weight of a refrigerator (each!). That takes commitment, in buying, in owning, and in selling. I would encourage you to audition them carefully.

 

[Mwdan]

Might as well go ahead and offer $1,500 for them. You might get them or at least negotiate a price less than $1,800.

If I had the room I wouldn't mind trying out a pair of them.

 

[DEADTVS]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I forgot about the lack of pre-outs. I do have a Yammie RX-900U that has them, I was confusing the two as they sit side-by-side. Maybe I will finally spring for a couple tube amps. Apparently, these aren't all that power-hungry. I think I'll mull it over this weekend. Auditioning is maybe possible, but it's a 4-hour drive one way, which would heavily influence me to return with them! @stereofanboy I certainly get what you're saying about commitment. I have to say, though for the first time in my life, appearance is influencing my choice - they would look excellent in my great room / listening room!

 

[superdog]

I always wanted a pair but now I don't have the room they need.If you don't have the room they need you may think twice about obtaining a pair.I have some 302a and I really no longer have the room they need.

 

[DEADTVS]

I always wanted a pair but now I don't have the room they need.If you don't have the room they need you may think twice about obtaining a pair.I have some 302a and I really no longer have the room they need.

I definitely have the room, that's half the reason I want them. 28'x48' great room, 15' vaulted ceiling. I'm running Mirage OM-7's in there right now, and they sound GREAT, but you know, the grass is always greener! Plus at heart I'm a vintage guy, and the Mirage's don't quite make that cut.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

They sound as big as they are.

 

[radioactive]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I forgot about the lack of pre-outs. I do have a Yammie RX-900U that has them, I was confusing the two as they sit side-by-side. Maybe I will finally spring for a couple tube amps. Apparently, these aren't all that power-hungry. I think I'll mull it over this weekend. Auditioning is maybe possible, but it's a 4-hour drive one way, which would heavily influence me to return with them! @stereofanboy I certainly get what you're saying about commitment. I have to say, though for the first time in my life, appearance is influencing my choice - they would look excellent in my great room / listening room!

They should be great with a tube amp in the 50w range.I have a pair of b4000 symphonies in the mooorish cabinets that i ran with my Fairchild 260 amplifiers and had no problem .I also ran them with a sansui ba 3000.
Grab them you wont be disappointed.

 

[superdog]

I definitely have the room, that's half the reason I want them. 28'x48' great room, 15' vaulted ceiling. I'm running Mirage OM-7's in there right now, and they sound GREAT, but you know, the grass is always greener! Plus at heart I'm a vintage guy, and the Mirage's don't quite make that cut.

If your doing ss Yamahas are a good choice.Its been a number of years but a 1010 integrated amp was what I felt sounded best with my 302a.Marantz and Sansui sounded muddy.

 

[E2]

This would sound good with them.......

 

[motorstereo]

Seems like a very fair price to me especially in their condition and with the extra crossover. A great room would be the ideal place for them imo. I had a pair stay here for a few years but the too small room I had them in squashed their sound. The only 2 things I didn't like about them..........they were an absolute bitch to move. Almost to the point of being impossible as there's nothing to grab onto. Just a big square and heavy box. Also the tweeters are beamy. If you get to audition them listen to them standing then slowly lower yourself into a chair and you'll see what I mean. I would think you should get them sooner rather than later before someone else does. Your receiver will get them to work no doubt but they deserve separates at some point. Good luck.

 

[Lucky Pierre]

Bozak Concert Grands on a 300B SET amp are one of the finest setups I have heard.