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Could anybody help with SW-120 versus Quadroflex Q3 speakers?

Which would you keep?

  • SW-120

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Quadraflex Q3

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
A

Andrea65

New Member
Hi! My final parent passed away a few months go. My sisters and I are dividing the stuff, and I was lucky to get dads turntable (Benjamin Miracord, still works great and looks good) and speakers (can’t tell what brand, SW-120). I also found another pair of speakers with a nicer wood finish, but wondering which speakers you all think is better (or less bad???). The slightly smaller SW-120s have been used for at least the last 25 years and the fabric on the front is a little messed up but it’s so much work to move everything to attach the other to listen that I though I’d ask y’all first. Plus I saw a few derogatory posts about q3s (but nothing about SW-120s).
Can anybody help with some advice? I’m sure my dad kept them in pretty good shape - no blasting sound etc - he preferred jazz Dixieland and opera.
Thanks!!!
-Kristen
 
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Most Quadraflex speakers, other than the Lab Standard One model, were mid-fi speakers and nothing special. I'd say if you have a stereo or home theater receiver available, then the best thing to do would be to hook them up and decide which you prefer since we don't know if the SW-120's you have are the Akai speakers pictured in the above link or something completely different.
 
stickman said:
Most Quadraflex speakers, other than the Lab Standard One model, were mid-fi speakers and nothing special. I'd say if you have a stereo or home theater receiver available, then the best thing to do would be to hook them up and decide which you prefer since we don't know if the SW-120's you have are the Akai speakers pictured in the above link or something completely different.
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Are the Akai ones considered nice? We also have an Akai solid state M-9 reel to reel in pretty good condition. Dates from the late 60s we think. Beautiful box, played a recording of my sister at 2 yrs old haha (she’s 57 now.). Which makes me think these might be Akai if that’s a brand he bought.
 
Andrea65 said:
View attachment 2199049 View attachment 2199048 View attachment 2199047 View attachment 2199046 View attachment 2199046

i don’t think so? They look a lot like the 130s but they say 120. Looks like my dad removed something from the front of the speakers.
Here are pictures, front and back.
Click to expand...
doctorolds said:
Are the speakers in the link below the ones in question?

https://museumofmagneticsoundrecording.org/images/R2R/AkaiM8InMemoryJimAndDeeAllen18.jpg
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Actually, they might be? Looking closer he took something off the front which certainly could have been the decoration- the frame is the same shape at the ones in the link - beveled outward if you know what I mean.
 
JMO, the SW's look meh at best.
Looks like the tweeter is a replacement on both speakers. I can't imagine a reputable company doing such a hack job of cutting the fabric grille, leaving the loose edges, and then leaving the tweeter exposed. I suppose there's a slight chance those were actual OEM replacement tweeters but someone decided to just cut the grille cloth rather than removing it. And then there's those extra holes in the grille cloth above the tweeters...
Looks like 1/4 jack for the speaker plug which seems both old and odd.
If they work you could put new grille cloth (and maybe there's a way to recess the present tweeters, or get a different pair of tweeters) on them and use them especially if they have sentimental value.
Having both pairs of speakers you have the chance to listen to both and see which YOU prefer.
 
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I think the cloth was cut away from in front of the tweeters to boost the treble output since that type of grille cloth absorbed and blocked a fair portion of the tweeter's output. Neither of the pairs of speakers mentioned are considered desirable by collectors and their only real value would be sentimental value within the family. These are the types of speakers which typically wind up for sale at a Goodwill store.

Akai made very good reel to reel tape recorders back in the 1960's but were never known for making good sounding speakers although I'm sure they offered a few decent models over the years but the SW-120's would not be included in that category.
 
Andrea65 said:
Are the Akai ones considered nice? We also have an Akai solid state M-9 reel to reel in pretty good condition. Dates from the late 60s we think. Beautiful box, played a recording of my sister at 2 yrs old haha (she’s 57 now.). Which makes me think these might be Akai if that’s a brand he bought.
Click to expand...
Isn't that something... listening to those old tapes your dad made of the family. The tape deck is quite old, kind of amazing it works. There is interest in those. I guess should ask... are you interested in putting together a vintage system to use and enjoy or is it mostly sentimental, or both? The turntable will probably need some work to be in order and those too have interest. The speakers... the sound is quite subjective between the two, play them and decide for yourself, they will sound different, keeping in mind there are a few easily replaced electrical parts inside that should be replaced to make the comparison. Use a good source like a CD or stream audio from you phone or PC, too many questions about the reel to reel and need of service plus you need a well recorded tape. If it's mainly sentimental make sure the speakers are working correctly than decide between the two based on listening... and... which pair did your dad prefer, might keep those... or, keep both. Do you have any of his records...?... they would look good playing on that serviced Miracord through his refurbished speakers.
 
spicer said:
Isn't that something... listening to those old tapes your dad made of the family. The tape deck is quite old, kind of amazing it works. There is interest in those. I guess should ask... are you interested in putting together a vintage system to use and enjoy or is it mostly sentimental, or both? The turntable will probably need some work to be in order and those too have interest. The speakers... the sound is quite subjective between the two, play them and decide for yourself, they will sound different, keeping in mind there are a few easily replaced electrical parts inside that should be replaced to make the comparison. Use a good source like a CD or stream audio from you phone or PC, too many questions about the reel to reel and need of service plus you need a well recorded tape. If it's mainly sentimental make sure the speakers are working correctly than decide between the two based on listening... and... which pair did your dad prefer, might keep those... or, keep both. Do you have any of his records...?... they would look good playing on that serviced Miracord through his refurbished speakers.
Click to expand...
Actually the turntable is in great condition and I am taking it along with many records of his, my moms and mine too. I have a rather small nyc apartment so maybe I won’t take the speakers. Either way I sure appreciate yours and everyone else’s help! It’s been pretty hard dealing with choosing all the stuff in the house between the 4 sisters, no less selling our childhood home, so it’s a really nice to have everyone so willing to volunteer information.

thanks again all!
 
stickman said:
I think the cloth was cut away from in front of the tweeters to boost the treble output since that type of grille cloth absorbed and blocked a fair portion of the tweeter's output. Neither of the pairs of speakers mentioned are considered desirable by collectors and their only real value would be sentimental value within the family. These are the types of speakers which typically wind up for sale at a Goodwill store.

Akai made very good reel to reel tape recorders back in the 1960's but were never known for making good sounding speakers although I'm sure they offered a few decent models over the years but the SW-120's would not be included in that category.
Click to expand...
Thank you!!!!!
 
You are welcome Andrea. Normally people do not express gratitude when I give my blunt and often negative assessments of things...(lol)
 
Andrea65 said:
Actually the turntable is in great condition and I am taking it along with many records of his, my moms and mine too. I have a rather small nyc apartment so maybe I won’t take the speakers. Either way I sure appreciate yours and everyone else’s help! It’s been pretty hard dealing with choosing all the stuff in the house between the 4 sisters, no less selling our childhood home, so it’s a really nice to have everyone so willing to volunteer information.

thanks again all!
Click to expand...
Good for the turntable, good all around. As for the speakers... give them a listen, being your dad's, the sentiment, unless they are awful to your own expectations keep at least one pair, just for a while... listen to them a bit in the apartment, you might be pleased with them... your dad seemed to be. I would replace the one or two components inside, a couple of inexpensive capacitors most likely, very easy, most likely doing this will make an immediate difference and practically assure you hear them as did he. I am taking the sentimental tact, on the other hand new ones that could easily be better can be had for not too much.
 
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