Calling all SonicS Speaker owners!
- Thread starter Hondo115
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Billy1973
Member
I recently acquired this pair of AS-300 speakers from my dad, he bought them overseas in the late 60s, I also have a Sansui 3000a to go with them. I plan on restoring and re-capping both the speakers and receiver. I will be opening these up in a week or so, I will post better photos when I can. I can not find any info online about these AS-300 speakers. Has anyone seen or heard the AS-300 speakers or have any info on them?
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Chief Pariah
Active Member
I have a pair of AS- 304As that were ROAKed to me from a fellow audiophile. The cabinets were a bit "lived" but the grills were great and he had the original papers. They were in need of tweeters. I found the only available pair of loose units in Australia and immediately had them shipped over. They're some of my favorite units now and considering I also have a pair of Fisher XP-7Bs, Coral BX-50s, Utah A-90s and Sansui SP-X8000s, that's saying something.
Chief Pariah
Active Member
All I can suggest is start cruising eBay. That's where I found my tweeters. You might pull the bad units and reference the part numbers, as they might have been used in other units.
Meanwhile, to get by until you find a replacement, you can lightly seal the tear with E6000 adhesive. It stays flexible and will move with the cone.
I have a pair of Sonics AS-447 that I had the pleasure to hear new. About 1973. I purchased them in Pony's electronic store , Fusa Japan. That store was the electronic's super store in the Pacific. You could listen to every Japanese brand of tuner, Marantz, Sansui, Kenwood, Panasonic, Sanyo, etc and select any Japanese Speaker system, not only brand but every size you wanted to pair them with. I bought a Sansui 5500 receiver, Teac reel to reel, and a pair of Sonics AS-447As. I don't think these speakers were ever sold in the US market. If I remember, I chose them over the Pioneer speakers because of the bright clarity and less boomy bass. Jump forward 50 years and I am still loving them. They were parked in the basement for many years until I got interested in tube amps. I finally had an old Fisher x202b amp recapped and bought a pair Fisher XP-9bs to mate up to it. I thought that was what was used at the time of the amp but greatly disappointed. They were in beautiful cosmetic shape but just dead sounding. I used a small pair of Bose speakers for awhile but I thought it should sound better. My son had a pair of Polk SDA-2 speakers I tried. They were loud and boomy but not clear. I finally drug out the old Sonics. Finally, the difference between night and day. There was no comparison between these old sonics and any of the earlier speakers I had been using. The brightness, clarity, accurate reproduction of instrumentation. I listen to big band jazz, pop music from the 70s and 80s. Most of that music is produced with real instruments and real voices. If one is looking for good speakers, he needs to listen to a speaker that was made to reproduce music for a certain period in time. I do admit that much progress was made in the 70s and 80s over the speakers of the 50s and 60s. I hope you get to be as much of a fan of Sonics Speakers as I am. I just purchased a pair of Wharfedale W70D speakers. I have always heard they are about the best speaker to pair up with a vintage tube amp. They need a little work so will let you know how they compare to the Sonics.
ringading
Well-Known Member
Just picked up a pair of AS-250As at an auction for $40. Cabinets look like they are in great condition. Will let you know what they sound like when I get them home this weekend.
Got these home and they sound decent - kind of all midrange - not a lot of clarity in the highs and the lows are kind of muddy - pretty much what I expected. In great shape for their age.
corpblues
AK Member
Time to find these a new home. Too large for my space per my spouse lol.
Listing created in AK bartertown.
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kraut247
New Member
Got these Sonics AS-441A about 2 years ago. They were completely covered with some sticky black plastic foil and the pre owner thought these speakers were "self made" or something and didn't really work with his amp. So he sold both to me for cheap and at that time I had no clue what I just bought. The amp was a ITT 8040 HiFi and worked great with my Braun L 420. And with the Sonics.. I pealed off the foil and gave them a quick cleaning and I was so astonished how nice they came out. I never heard of that brand and for sure neven seen Sonics speakers here in Germany. They seem in really good condition and sound great with my Technics SU-V670.
While the veneer looks still great, the wooden grid has some sticky glue on it and I need a good idea how to clean that nicely withouht damaging the foam.
While the veneer looks still great, the wooden grid has some sticky glue on it and I need a good idea how to clean that nicely withouht damaging the foam.
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Hbotting
Member
Currently some Sonics AS-331s for sale in the St. Louis area (<100 miles). They caught my eye because I just recapped a pair of Kanazawa 54H's that are nearly identical in the outside appearance with the shiny chromed metal grille and light fabric. The interior of both uses Coral drivers, but the Sonics crossover looks a little more complex.
Do you have 400 or 447a ?
I’m in East Dallas and saw your CL ad.
Slightly interested!
corpblues
AK Member
Karmascootra
New Member
I also just got some 304As. Paid $30 for the pair. They sound decent, but seems high in the midrange. Not sure I'll stick with them, but enjoying them for now. Impressive sound considering theor age and looking all original.
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A pair of AS-331 (not 331a) just fell in my Lap--Sister in law is cleaning out the House and sends me a Picture of Dual 1219 and these speakers and said Do you want them? Turns they were in a storage room for the past 40 years. The Brother in law was in Korea in the early 70s and brought them back. I have know them for 35 years and never once did i realize he had this stuff. Anyway they look like they are in great shape but i want to recap them before i do anything . It looks like the backs come off , about a dozen screws around the Perimeter on the back. Before I start tearing into them Does anyone know if the backs actually come off or are they glued in addition to being screwed?
I would prefer not to disturb the Drivers if possible,
I would prefer not to disturb the Drivers if possible,
Hbotting
Member
Last pair I worked on the backs just unscrewed and the back could be pulled out.