ESS AMT1D restoration-pictures
- Thread starter gonzomeep
- Start date
sleddogman
Super Member
As sort of an experiment, I've been toying with installing a nice pair of 2-1/8" Morel MDM-55 soft dome midranges in my pair of AMT-1a and then rebuilding the crossover akin to the 3-way AMT3 Rock Monitors.
I'm thinking 3" hole saw just below the woofer on the angled veneered portion of the base or in the side next to the woofer with some sort of semi-cupped reflector, as the grilles are open all the way around... :scratch2:
I'm thinking 3" hole saw just below the woofer on the angled veneered portion of the base or in the side next to the woofer with some sort of semi-cupped reflector, as the grilles are open all the way around... :scratch2:
gonzomeep
Super Member
Yeah, I've thought of fooling around with different drivers too. I'm pleased with what I have, but know that when you've got the audio bug, you're always looking for more. I think a great 3 way would be a big Heil, a JBL 2122H 10" midbass (they are very "fast" because of their extremely light/thin cones) And a JBL 2235H 15" or 2245H 18" (definately some of the most musical woofers on the planet) Check out these offerings from an Italian company that still sells ESS speakers, including the "Transar"!
http://www.musicaltechnology.it/uk/prodotti/LSTNGProdotti_essaudio.asp
http://www.musicaltechnology.it/uk/prodotti/LSTNGProdotti_essaudio.asp
Great thread!
I just snagged a set of Monitors yesterday and have been playing them out in the garage a bit, even though the passives are rotted out; makes a really big bass port :lmao: The drivers are fine, but the cabs and grills are gonna need more than a little work.
My wife seemed to like them out in the garage; she commented on how nice they sounded, but the bottom end is definitely wacked out w/o the passives, and the mids aren't very sweet at all. I'll refoam them tomorrow and give them a better listen.
Just what I needed; more decisions to make :scratch2: :lmao:
I just snagged a set of Monitors yesterday and have been playing them out in the garage a bit, even though the passives are rotted out; makes a really big bass port :lmao: The drivers are fine, but the cabs and grills are gonna need more than a little work.
My wife seemed to like them out in the garage; she commented on how nice they sounded, but the bottom end is definitely wacked out w/o the passives, and the mids aren't very sweet at all. I'll refoam them tomorrow and give them a better listen.
Just what I needed; more decisions to make :scratch2: :lmao:
gonzomeep
Super Member
Nice acquisition Andyman. Gonna turn you into a "H"-AndymanAndyman said:
Let me know if i can assist you with any how-to tips, it would be my pleasure. From your discription, it seem you have GEN1 Monitors.They have the flat piston passives. Still wonderful speakers! Those grilles are tough to recover because the cloth is actually used as a hinge in two places. What is best to do is to carefully apply duct tape with the old cloth still attached to the underside of the grilles, so that once you remove the old cloth, the two smaller panels stay properly oriented wrt the main/larger one while you attach the grille cloth, then remove the tape. I also suggest that you R&R the cloth, one at a time. You can go to the untouched one for reference, should you need to. Tricky to get right.
The woofers already in them are quite good, but JBL woofers really are beautifully made and probably a step or two up. I have a pair of LE-14(H?) layin' around here someplace, but I don't think I want to hack on my cabinets.gonzomeep said:If I may ask, why do you feel you need to change out the woofers? You have that audio bug too?
dread31
Addicted Member
Righteous!
Knew a guy in Ohio who had a set of those when they first came out, back in........................(Yikes! Has it been that long?). Then, later, when I lived in San Diego, in about.........(Oh, man, I am getting old.), I had a set of smaller ESS AMTs. Think they were model 10s? With the 10 inch woofer and passive radiator? (They say the memory is the first thing to go.)
All joking aside, they look beautiful, my man. Just gorgeous. You done good.:thmbsp:
Brother Dave
Knew a guy in Ohio who had a set of those when they first came out, back in........................(Yikes! Has it been that long?). Then, later, when I lived in San Diego, in about.........(Oh, man, I am getting old.), I had a set of smaller ESS AMTs. Think they were model 10s? With the 10 inch woofer and passive radiator? (They say the memory is the first thing to go.)
All joking aside, they look beautiful, my man. Just gorgeous. You done good.:thmbsp:
Brother Dave
gonzomeep
Super Member
Thank you Brother Dave, I appreciate the compliments. Hey Tarior, you might measure the cut-out/opening for the stock woofers and the required opening for LE14's. The LE14 is really a true 12" woofer. It's cone measures about 12" exactly, unlike most any other "nominal" 12" woofer. The diagonal measurement is 14" across the flange. The really doesn't matter because of the way the LE14 sits on top of the baffle, as opposed to other that are installed into a recessed counterbore. They just might fit. But really, I'd just leave the AMT6's alone, if they were mine.
The woofers would have to fit in recesses in order to clear the grilles. I am just going to leave them alone, other than to re-cap the crossovers. Maybe while I have it apart, I may shift the crossover point up to 1200Hz or so. These woofers will have no trouble whatsoever with clear reproduction to that point.gonzomeep said:
gonzomeep
Super Member
They're set up now
I've got the 1D's in their proper listening position now. I found a soild Rosewood Whale to adorn one of the subs. They sound even better in the corners with a lot of space between them. I'm so
THRILLED!! Here are some pic's.
I've got the 1D's in their proper listening position now. I found a soild Rosewood Whale to adorn one of the subs. They sound even better in the corners with a lot of space between them. I'm so
THRILLED!! Here are some pic's.Attachments
tarior said:
Those are Sumo Samson subwoofers. They have about 5 cu. ft. with a JBL 2235H 15" driver. Originally oak finish but looks like Gonzomeep has also refinished them to a rosewood like hue? Was interesting to see them originally up on their sides with ports up (probably wasn't enough room with the 4 JBL's).
I've got one Samson (and woulda had 2 if a deal out of Spokane hadn't gone awry) and its an awesome addition to my 4333B's. We'll see if its needed when I finally get a pair of 4435's.
Gonz,
You said the woofer is Bextrene? Is this correct? I thought, except for the original ESS electrostatics with KEF B139 woofers, that the ESS lines had either paper or polypropylene woofers. Pretty much all the Bextrene woofers came from England (KEF, Dalesford, Celestion, B&W) and France (Audax/Sonaudax/Polydax). Can you recall any identification on the woofer and do you have any close up photos of the front and back frame/magnet of yours?
Have always liked the Heil and think your idea of adding the JBL mid-woofer and low woofer (2122/2235 would make a killer project. Nothing like a 4" voice coil to add some punch.
Nice job!
Regards,
Bart
gonzomeep
Super Member
Thank you Fella's. I may be mistaken about the bexetrene. It is my understanding that ESS used two different cone materials for the AMT1x series. I just sold a pair of 1D's that had a different woofer cone material. Less thickness and a different texture. As far as wanting to experiment using a midwoofer, this system I've just put together addresses that somewhat. The Sumo's are running 50hz and below. I don't want to sound like the first person to realize that the earth isin't flat, but...., you would be amazed what this does. You know what I had before, right? I definately wouldn't go a step backwards wrt system quality. Believe it
BTW, The Samsons were already stained a darker color when I go them. I will put the spit-shine on them as soon as I can find the will to stop listening to this system and do it.
BTW, The Samsons were already stained a darker color when I go them. I will put the spit-shine on them as soon as I can find the will to stop listening to this system and do it.
dread31
Addicted Member
Whale
So, how does the wooden whale affect your sound?:scratch2:
(Am I the only one who thinks the expensive little wooden pucks,
and smooth stones, and bricks that some folks set on their
equipment are, well, BULLS**T? As are many of the
so- called "audiophile tweaks"?)
Brother Dave
P.S. Don't get me wrong, I love the Whale.:thmbsp:
So, how does the wooden whale affect your sound?:scratch2:
(Am I the only one who thinks the expensive little wooden pucks,
and smooth stones, and bricks that some folks set on their
equipment are, well, BULLS**T? As are many of the
so- called "audiophile tweaks"?)
Brother Dave
P.S. Don't get me wrong, I love the Whale.:thmbsp:
Jusbegood
New Member
Quite frankly, that was a beautiful restoration job. I have a pair of, (orginal owner), AMT3 Rock Monitors, that could stand a restoration job by you. I noticed in one of your pics that you submitted, that you have a pair of JBL 220's, or JBL 222's. Back in '78, or '79, I was looking for a pair of speakers to complete my "Quadraphonic Sound System", (HT for the newbies), in order to match up with my AMT3's. I saw and heard a pair of those speakers, and I was really impressed with the bass response of those 14" drivers. I wanted to buy them then, but the price was too exorbitant. The only other speakers that I fell in love with were some McIntosh 16 tweeter arrays with 15" bass consoles. At that time they were $2k per side; definitely out of my price range.
I'm definitely ready for an ESS thread. If the individual, who suggested this; takes some action; I'd be amenable to joining,and contributing some of my personal experience, and, insight of listening to my musical sources through my pair of AMT3 Rock Monitors, and AMT4's.
I'm definitely ready for an ESS thread. If the individual, who suggested this; takes some action; I'd be amenable to joining,and contributing some of my personal experience, and, insight of listening to my musical sources through my pair of AMT3 Rock Monitors, and AMT4's.