Coral BX-200

[hoff70]

I just picked up a set of these to pair with my little 1 or 2 watt Magnavox Flaminfunk/Audiophobe VII tube amp. Did some searching and found that they are very efficient and some folks say they don't sound too bad.

http://audio-database.com/CORAL/speaker/bx-200-e.html

Funky looking too

Any input?

 

[Hifidelity1]

hoff--I have played my Coral BX-1000s-- a big brother to your 200s--since the early 70s. For the past 10 years, they have been in a bedroom/office size room and powered by a 1.7 watt per channel tube amp. The tube amp is one I commissioned Abraxas Audio to build and it uses a 807 tube in triode mode. Sounds similar to the 7591 output tubes. I like the 807 because of its history and looks (uses a top cap). I'm certain there may be a better combination sound field wise but this one is so good. My 1.7 wpc amp has plenty of power for my 1000s. Your 200s in the right size room should sound awesome with that Magnavox amp. I like that grill

 

[audiobiker]

Wow, Those look really good! Nice find!

 

[daleeper]

I have a pair, and I also go with don't sound to bad, but will add, not real good either. I took those grill things off, as I didn't like the look. They are around here somewhere, but a pair of epi 70's are in their place.

 

[hoff70]

Thanks! I think they look pretty neat and it'll be fun refinishing them an installing new crossover caps! I'll probably put binding posts on them as well.

The amp I'm pairing them with uses 50EH5 output tubes. No idea how many watts but I've heard about 1 per channel I've tested with my A40's and it sounds pretty good but I figured this little amp needs some more efficient speakers.

 

[backinthelou]

I have one that I rescued from Goodwill a couple months ago. Not sure what to do with it.

 

[hoff70]

Out for delivery

I'll see how it goes...

 

[hoff70]

Really detailed and very crisp sounding but lacking on the bass. Maybe tinker with some stuffing? I have some caps on order as well.

My only other speakers are BA A-40's and they both have pretty different sounds. Both pretty good sounding. Just different.

Am I experiencing the east coast vs west coast sounds?

 

[hoff70]

Had some time to fool with these some. They had this folded rubbery blanket looking stuff in the backs that had slumped down a bit. First I stuffed the crap out of them with fiberglass being careful not to impede the movement of the speaker cone. That didn't work...It just sounded like a pillow was stuck over them. Then I put about 2" of fiberglass in the backs with the edges facing the driver. That tightened up the bass a little but I guess these things aren't meant to thump...

The mids and highs sound amazing without any of that "sparkle" that sounds good at first but soon begins to wear thin...

I set them up at about ear level backed up against a wall and listened to some Feist and Gibbard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyyOQmlvuLw plus the whole "Dark was the Night" album.

Whoaa... The boxes faded into the background These things are VERY clear and detailed. They seem like a really good match with this little lo-power tube amp

 

[hoff70]

Supposed to be alnico mags. Who knows...

Driver cone is real deep with cloth surrounds. Kind of bell shaped and the tweeter horn is die cast:

Cabs cleaned up OK. Before and after. Didn't go crazy on them:

Slumped funk:

And new caps:

 

[IanT417]

I enjoyed the read through of this thread! Just had a set show up in the mail today. I scooped up the Coral BX-201's for a song. I had just finished putting an SX-880 back together so of course I hooked them right up. Wow. I was pretty impressed. These faded away quickly with Fleetwood Mac singing through them. I'll agree the low end is lacking but I don't believe these were designed for low anyway. Mids and highs are quite comfortable and pleasing. The 880 is obviously too much for them but I have a nice little Yamaha Amp that I'll bet will pair nicely. Here are a few pictures.7

 

[Lavane]

I enjoyed the read through of this thread! Just had a set show up in the mail today. I scooped up the Coral BX-201's for a song. I had just finished putting an SX-880 back together so of course I hooked them right up. Wow. I was pretty impressed. These faded away quickly with Fleetwood Mac singing through them. I'll agree the low end is lacking but I don't believe these were designed for low anyway. Mids and highs are quite comfortable and pleasing. The 880 is obviously too much for them but I have a nice little Yamaha Amp that I'll bet will pair nicely. Here are a few pictures.View attachment 24597677View attachment 2459768

I almost snagged a pair a couple months ago on my local Craigslist. Dirt cheap and in good shape. I have a couple flea watt tube amps I built and thought they may be a good fit. But I just didn't have room for them.