Im brand new to the forum and recently bought a set of ESS Tempest LS8 at the Salvation Army for $7.99 per pair. I was not able to get any history or information on these via my mobile phone , other than they are from the 1970s and the tweeters apparently were very nice. My ears tell me they were at one time of very high quality, but these ones will need new 8" drivers and new passive radiators . I'm wondering if these LS-8s are worth the time and money ? What kind of replacement drivers would be the best choice ? And What kind of sound quality can they actually achieve ? Thanks , James
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I forgot to mention the Macgyver job the previous owner did : ) ...looks like Black electrical tape and some kind of gummy double sided sticky tape around the edges of the 8" front drivers. They also removed the passive radiators and plugged the cabinet with a sheet of foam as a temporary solution. The speakers actually work with considerably reduced mid frequency response. I also noticed the front drivers resonate when listening above 20% volume ? I suppose new foam surround may work, how would I know(by ear) if the voice coils are good ?
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How can I reach them for replacement parts and any idea of a cost comparison between resurrecting the existing drivers with foam (if they are salvageable) versus buying brand new replacements ?
tanker 200
Super Member
I'd just refoam them them and replace the passive radiators if you still have the original drivers. I have a pair that had a pair of 8" Pyramids in them, I replaced them with a pair of Dayton series II woofers from Parts Express and the PR's after they fell a part and they sound nice with lots of bass from a fairly small speaker.
Boto
Curmudgeon In Training
There was another recent thread on ES 8" woofer replacements. The ones that ESS currently sells are not a replacement for the PS8/LS8/Tempest series. They can recone the originals if you have them. I replaced mine with the PRO 005 from Human speakers with great results.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/speaker-replacement.720218/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/speaker-replacement.720218/
Yes I have the original drivers , I have yet to remove these . But the cones appear to be very brittle and I'm now leaning towards the idea of a nice compatible replacement .,,,in fact that's what I'm going to do . Probably those pro 005 from human speakers unless there is a more compatible option
Are they they same 8 inch woofer in the tempest lab series 3e? Thank you!
Thank you! I have the ESS Tempest series 3e with replacement woofers that lag a bit. The human speakers are compatable?
I'd just refoam them them and replace the passive radiators if you still have the original drivers. I have a pair that had a pair of 8" Pyramids in them, I replaced them with a pair of Dayton series II woofers from Parts Express and the PR's after they fell a part and they sound nice with lots of bass from a fairly small speaker.
tanker 200
Super Member
The Series II was a woofer built by Eminence for Dayton, it had a cast frame and high sensitivity, I don't see them listed anymore online. I don't remember the model. Forgot I still have these somewhere.
You still have the 8 Inch woofers or the Dayton drivers?
tanker 200
Super Member
They still have the 8" Series II in them, they fit without modification