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Cerwin Vega speaker help needed

I have bought 3 other sets already that I thought were correct based on what 123 and 321 used, and they didn't fit. I am presently using the Optimus that came with it (that fit perfect) and wrapped duct tape (one of my favorite tools) around the backs to enclose them better. I think my crossover points are 700/4000, so I figure that a higher efficiency (over 90) mid that handles atleast 60W peak that covers under 700 Hz to anything over 4000 Hz should work ok. I'll just keep the Optimus in there until I can find the "correct" one.
I can't believe nobody else on this forum has an answer to this question, I thought alot of these speakers were around at one time??
 
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Ok, mystery solved!!!!!!!!!!! The midrange speakers used in the Cerwin Vega HED1230 w/3 5/8" cutouts were made by Foster. The number on the basket (on the side) is 9T12A. I can't read all the wording on the magnet, but I can see the "Foster 8 ohm max made in Tiawan ROC". There is another number on the magnet that I can't read.
These are completely sealed back, no "white cloth" side ports, like the other sealed baskets I've seen.
 
cimchazz1 said:
Ok, mystery solved!!!!!!!!!!! The midrange speakers used in the Cerwin Vega HED1230 w/3 5/8" cutouts were made by Foster. The number on the basket (on the side) is 9T12A. I can't read all the wording on the magnet, but I can see the "Foster 8 ohm max made in Tiawan ROC". There is another number on the magnet that I can't read.
These are completely sealed back, no "white cloth" side ports, like the other sealed baskets I've seen.
Click to expand...

Well it's about time! :rolleyes::p:beerchug: The Foster mids make sense now. Excellent find! :thumbsup:
 
Yes, great news. Interesting to know as I have the sealed mids with no extra ports. I have seen the pictures of CV mids w the ports and white material.

So are you able to find the fosters? I’m hoping that you have some good luck with this. Pics when you get it all together.
 
From everything I have researched, these are now the correct configuration for the HED 1230, except for the W121-4 woofers I am using. Note the spacing between drivers, I think unique to this model? I now also have a pair of L121-4 (one has a bad spider), but these W's sound really nice!!. I swapped out the Mcintosh MA5100 wiith a Pioneer 1010 and the sound is real nice. Not sure the old MA5100 likes the W121's impedance.
 
desertrat748 said:
Yes, great news. Interesting to know as I have the sealed mids with no extra ports. I have seen the pictures of CV mids w the ports and white material.

So are you able to find the fosters? I’m hoping that you have some good luck with this. Pics when you get it all together.
Click to expand...
DR, do your cutouts also measure 3 5/8"? Odd that they would make this one model with the Fosters this size?? I haven't found a replacement......yet!!
 
cimchazz1 said:
From everything I have researched, these are now the correct configuration for the HED 1230, except for the W121-4 woofers I am using. Note the spacing between drivers, I think unique to this model? I now also have a pair of L121-4 (one has a bad spider), but these W's sound really nice!!. I swapped out the Mcintosh MA5100 wiith a Pioneer 1010 and the sound is real nice. Not sure the old MA5100 likes the W121's impedance.
Click to expand...

Well the MA5100 is only 45 watts/channel so you were probably running it into clipping. And/or it needs some service like the BIAS current set, or something else. Where the SX-1010 (110 WPC) at the same 45 watts per channel is nowhere near clipping and thus has plenty of headroom for the transients. That itself will sound much better than the MAC at that power level. That 110 wpc for the SX-1010 is a conservative rating. They are known to regularly hit 130 wpc before clipping. :D So yes, the SX-1010 can easily blow the Vegas if you crank it too much. :rflmao::rockon:
 
cimchazz1 said:
View attachment 1580174 View attachment 1580173 View attachment 1580175 View attachment 1580176
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Now that looks right. I’m learning something new all the time. Didn’t know that CV messed around with different drivers like the mids.

Also, I see exactly what you mean with the spacing. Mine are a lot closer than yours w mid-tweeter placement.

I’m now motivated to get my old CW U-123 s back to “new” condition. The replacement woofer is need of repair/refoam. Screws stripped out, need to be repaired. Boxes are in need of some help. Probably going to need some new caps.

I’m wondering if I am better off looking for a better pair of HEDs? U-15? Maybe 321s? D7s?

What are your opinions?
 
desertrat748 said:
Now that looks right. I’m learning something new all the time. Didn’t know that CV messed around with different drivers like the mids.

Also, I see exactly what you mean with the spacing. Mine are a lot closer than yours w mid-tweeter placement.

I’m now motivated to get my old CW U-123 s back to “new” condition. The replacement woofer is need of repair/refoam. Screws stripped out, need to be repaired. Boxes are in need of some help. Probably going to need some new caps.

I’m wondering if I am better off looking for a better pair of HEDs? U-15? Maybe 321s? D7s?

What are your opinions?
Click to expand...


Well, when I read some of the posts about the 123 and 321 and 1230 are all the same, I thought it would be a fun challenge to research that more to see if there were some small differences.

I had actually been watching for some D5 locally for sale, but ran across these 1230's and thought it might be interesting to "restore" them to original to see if they would make me happy.

I really do like the sound now, and like Skywatcher stated above, the MA5100 has to strain a little to make these speakers sound "right". The SX-1010 sounds beautiful with these speakers if you "drive responsibly". So with the volume knob just a little past 1/4, the sound is nice and fills the 38 x 20 room the system is in.

Personally, I enjoy the "treasure hunting" and I like to restore old stuff. Maybe you can look for the better pair of HEDs while restoring the set you have, since you already have them?
 
cimchazz1 said:
DR, do your cutouts also measure 3 5/8"? Odd that they would make this one model with the Fosters this size?? I haven't found a replacement......yet!!
Click to expand...

I recall my cutouts being a little larger than your fosters. But I might be mistaken. I have blown out 4 discs in my back, two are ruptured. Not really doing anything else than resting, being in constant pain, and seeing doctors. Maybe after I get past this I will check.

I know it might sound a little like hyperbole, but I couldn’t even walk 5 steps a week ago. Never ever had pain this bad, this unbearable.
 
cimchazz1 said:
Well, when I read some of the posts about the 123 and 321 and 1230 are all the same, I thought it would be a fun challenge to research that more to see if there were some small differences.

I had actually been watching for some D5 locally for sale, but ran across these 1230's and thought it might be interesting to "restore" them to original to see if they would make me happy.

I really do like the sound now, and like Skywatcher stated above, the MA5100 has to strain a little to make these speakers sound "right". The SX-1010 sounds beautiful with these speakers if you "drive responsibly". So with the volume knob just a little past 1/4, the sound is nice and fills the 38 x 20 room the system is in.

Personally, I enjoy the "treasure hunting" and I like to restore old stuff. Maybe you can look for the better pair of HEDs while restoring the set you have, since you already have them?
Click to expand...

I like the "treasure hunting" too! It's amazing what you find sometimes at yard sales and flea markets. I just picked up a single D3, but it doesn't have the original woofer. It is some other brand (has "Studio Pro" on the dust cap and cloth surround). But for $5 I ain't gonna complain. :D The guy I got it from goes to estate sales and he left the other one there because the foam was gone. He didn't know they can be fixed (yes, I let him know), and it was too late to go back to pick up the other one. :oops: I'm not sure what the original woofer is supposed to be. Does anyone know? I think it is a L101-4, maybe? :dunno:
Perhaps when your research is completed, and verified, you can post a list of what each model is noting the differences, including the crossovers. Not only will people know which components belong in which model, especially when doing a "restore", but also so someone doesn't try to sell you a bottle of snake oil claiming it's "the original". ;)
 
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desertrat748 said:
I recall my cutouts being a little larger than your fosters. But I might be mistaken. I have blown out 4 discs in my back, two are ruptured. Not really doing anything else than resting, being in constant pain, and seeing doctors. Maybe after I get past this I will check.

I know it might sound a little like hyperbole, but I couldn’t even walk 5 steps a week ago. Never ever had pain this bad, this unbearable.
Click to expand...


Sorry to hear about your back problems. I have a friend in FL with the same issues. He fell thru a rotten dock he was walking on (which really jammed his spine), got T-boned in his car, and had a seat he was sitting in collapse and all those issues destroyed his back pretty good. He has been on pain meds for about 8 years now, doesn't want to risk the surgery. Hope you find an acceptable solution!!
I'm always conscious of that when I'm lifting heavy things I shouldn't be.
 
desertrat748 said:
I recall my cutouts being a little larger than your fosters. But I might be mistaken. I have blown out 4 discs in my back, two are ruptured. Not really doing anything else than resting, being in constant pain, and seeing doctors. Maybe after I get past this I will check.

I know it might sound a little like hyperbole, but I couldn’t even walk 5 steps a week ago. Never ever had pain this bad, this unbearable.
Click to expand...

I know how you feel! It ain't no fun! :oops: Hope you get better soon Brother!
 
Skywatcher said:
I like the "treasure hunting" too! It's amazing what you find sometimes at yard sales and flea markets. I just picked up a single D3, but it doesn't have the original woofer. It is some other brand (has "Studio Pro" on the dust cap and cloth surround). But for $5 I ain't gonna complain. :D The guy I got it from goes to estate sales and he left the other one there because the foam was gone. He didn't know they can be fixed (yes, I let him know), and it was too late to go back to pick up the other one. :oops: I'm not sure what the original woofer is supposed to be. Does anyone know? I think it is a 101-L4, maybe? :dunno:
Perhaps when your research is completed, and verified, you can post a list of what each model is noting the differences, including the crossovers. Not only will people know which components belong in which model, especially when doing a "restore", but also so someone doesn't try to sell you a bottle of snake oil claiming it's "the original". ;)
Click to expand...

Well, I'm am getting to be more of an "expert" on the 1230 because I own a pair. I think the "oaktreevintage" website has some pretty good info on a few of the other HEDs, but not much on the 1230.
It seems that the 123,321, and 1230 used L121-4 woofers. There were different tweeters and mids used (and probably small changes in crossover components). I'ts amazing to me that there is not someone from Cerwin Vega that can offer up this information., there must be someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows. BTW, can any of you "decipher" what the writing says on the back of that Foster mid, besides 8 ohm max ?watts, Foster, and made in Tiawan ROC? :dunno:
 
cimchazz1 said:
Sorry to hear about your back problems. I have a friend in FL with the same issues. He fell thru a rotten dock he was walking on (which really jammed his spine), got T-boned in his car, and had a seat he was sitting in collapse and all those issues destroyed his back pretty good. He has been on pain meds for about 8 years now, doesn't want to risk the surgery. Hope you find an acceptable solution!!
I'm always conscious of that when I'm lifting heavy things I shouldn't be.
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For me it's about 10lb. Maybe up to 20lb *if* there is no bending over. Pain meds don't do much of anything after about 2 weeks when your body and brain get accustomed to them. Unless it's something really strong. I cycled between a week of meds, then 3 days or so of just Tylenol and/or Ibuprophen, the 2 or 3 days of nothing to flush out (and doing nothing), then cycle again. On "good" days just Tylenol or Ibuprophen. I never got "addicted" that way and haven't had any "prescription meds" except for occasional Tramadol on "bad" days for a long time now. Ya just gotta know your limitations and avoid the :eek: "I shouldn't have done that" moments.
 
cimchazz1 said:
Well, I'm am getting to be more of an "expert" on the 1230 because I own a pair. I think the "oaktreevintage" website has some pretty good info on a few of the other HEDs, but not much on the 1230.
It seems that the 123,321, and 1230 used L121-4 woofers. There were different tweeters and mids used (and probably small changes in crossover components). I'ts amazing to me that there is not someone from Cerwin Vega that can offer up this information., there must be someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows.:dunno:
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The original "Cerwin Vega" is gone now and have no records of the "good ol' days". That happened with most companies who discarded all the info for the "Legacy" products. They just want you to buy their new junk.
 
cimchazz1 said:
Sorry to hear about your back problems. I have a friend in FL with the same issues. He fell thru a rotten dock he was walking on (which really jammed his spine), got T-boned in his car, and had a seat he was sitting in collapse and all those issues destroyed his back pretty good. He has been on pain meds for about 8 years now, doesn't want to risk the surgery. Hope you find an acceptable solution!!
I'm always conscious of that when I'm lifting heavy things I shouldn't be.
Click to expand...

I had a few surgeries on the low back. 1st one was working great and 1 month after I left hospital, I was T boned by an elderly lady. Ripped the screws out of my vertebrae and pain level was “please shoot me in the head”.

Following repair surgery never worked very well. Not nearly as good as the 1st one. Been dealing with the pain until I blew out the discs above the surgery L4 to L1.

Now pain meds are the only thing that makes it bearable. I hate using them and looking forward to seeing the new surgeon. Hopefully I will able to be repaired.

I would really like to get back to work and able to repair some CV HEDs !

Thanks for the tips and model numbers. I’m feeling that you, Sky, and others are helping me more than I am able to offer.
 
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