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First big purchase (hello) and what are these mystery speakers

V

VintageDrums

New Member
Hello my name is Ryan and I live in Houston Texas. I am asking if anyone has used both the sp2000 and the SP 3500 models from Sansui. I've been wanting to get both of them and I have the opportunity to get one or the other but I cannot afford both can anyone make any recommendations the price is only about 50 to 75 dollars difference and I can't hear any in advance. I also have 2 sets of wharfdale w70 nearby. Those along with some elctrovoice 50s models, and several others like dynaco, Advent. Both Sansui 5 hours away. 1 wharfdale is here and other set 4 hrs away I'm pretty much going to test it before I buy it but I'm only going to drive to one or the other. They're both at prices I can afford and I'm not been on a very successful financial path in my lifetime. I am however an audiophile and I play the drums for 30+ years.
Also, I have some speakers that were amazing one was blown when I got it, but the other one was amazing and I'm trying to figure out what they are so I can repair them.. I'm coming up empty on the Google image search but I did find something that said CTS I had someone recommend they could be Advent.. anyone recognize these or even the cutout patterns on the back? I attached some photos.
 

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If you do a google image search for Kabuki speakers you should find the Sansui's there. Plenty of threads about them on AK under the same moniker. Enjoy!
Advent never made a pair of speakers like those pictured btw.
 
That woofer with the circular opening in the dust cap is quite distinctive so I'd think someone would be able to identify them.
Tweeter looks like a typical phenolic ring tweeter, which were used in many speakers.

As for the Sansuis it would really be best if you could listen to them before buying. Were you planning on picking them up in person? If so listen to them then. If planning to have them shipped make sure they have all the original drivers. Being rather heavy shipping might be expensive.
 
goodolpg said:
That woofer with the circular opening in the dust cap is quite distinctive so I'd think someone would be able to identify them.
Tweeter looks like a typical phenolic ring tweeter, which were used in many speakers.

As for the Sansuis it would really be best if you could listen to them before buying. Were you planning on picking them up in person? If so listen to them then. If planning to have them shipped make sure they have all the original drivers. Being rather heavy shipping might be expensive.
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How does this sound . ? I can preview The wharf deals here in Houston and it choose between the set here that's rather than tattered or add extra 100 bucks and go get one that has like the carved wood on it etc but it's up in Dallas a lot further away. 4 hours. I can preview 1 of the 3500 while I'm here in Houston and then plan to go see my kids 5 hours away ...that's where the other 3500 is ... AND the 2000s pair .. problem is it's from three different parties... and I don't have much time or money so I'm leaning for any opinions. I know they are two different beasts as the sp2000 has the alNico magnets and a big port look and the 3500 seems to be a big brother of the 2500s ..just looking at them you can tell they're going to sound different.. I only have money for one set and I don't know how long they will hold on to them .. it seems to me that the sp2000s are more widely available and about half the cost so I probably should get the 3500 while I have them in my sights for cheap ...in the region to avoid shipping (instead a 5 hour trip) I'm also looking at the wharfedale w70d here in town .. there's a well-worn set about half of the price you normally expect because they're well worn but everything works great from what I understand so I might look at that too.. I just narrowly missed some Electro-Voice aristocat and regencies that floated through and near perfect shape never heard them either but they looked cool. Then again I'm all about sound but still they looked cool. As far as the original speakers I'm going to check out the first 3500 today the one and the other city I'm pretty sure it was original if I remember right but I will definitely check the 2000s are also original .. I need to look closer at the surrounds. I just can't waste any money right now.. so I want to make the smarter decision I'm sure I'd be happy with either one of them but something tells me to get the 2000 since it's an original design alNico magnets all of that.. and others when I go reading about different models a lot of people say that 3500 is our favorite I don't know what they listen to though that's a good question that I probably should have thought about... Someone might dislike a speaker that you're reading about and they are quite possibly listening to entirely different music . and how are you going to say what is good and what is not right.. is not good and what is right to that person etc etc. I just want something that sounds accurate for recordings instrumentals blues jazz Rock music instruments not Super Bass electronica no offense to anyone attended anywhere but I just don't want any music to put my speakers that's about it I like to but also really do not like shrieking highs I run from shaking highs so with all that said is there a better choice of the two? Imagine a acoustic drum recording of jazz set recorded old fashioned with like one good mic perhaps turn up the gain. Which one is more balanced? Which one has less harsh highs...mainly accurate to make instrumental recordings sound as realistic as possible eliminating as much procesing of any kind.. e etc which one of those sets would sound better for that I have any choice of amps modern or coming in soon for channel vintage also vintage PA and I'll probably have to get help with wiring because it's like a cross between a PA and a home stereo it's from the '60s
 
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Googling around, your mystery speakers look very similar to Fisher XP-66 speakers. May be another model though.
 
Since you already have speakers, why not slow down, wait for something local-ish that you can audition, decide if they are better than what you have and if you can afford them.
I understand being poor, been there, so rather than spending money on something you might like or not, just wait for something you can listen to and then buy?
 
VintageDrums said:
I'm about to hear the wharfdales. Then maybe 1 sp3500 later ..
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Hard to determine sound quality listening to a single speaker in my opinion. :dunno:
Also, those aging capacitors have not likely been replaced and the sound my be dull and lifeless. If you like the looks, all drivers work, condition is good, and you can get both at a good price possibly take a chance.
 
VintageDrums said:
Also, I have some speakers that were amazing one was blown when I got it, but the other one was amazing and I'm trying to figure out what they are so I can repair them.. I'm coming up empty on the Google image search but I did find something that said CTS I had someone recommend they could be Advent.. anyone recognize these or even the cutout patterns on the back? I attached some photos.
Click to expand...

The vented dust cap and surrounds on the large driver are very similar to the 10" Coral drivers I have in 2 pair of Coral speakers. Coral also provided drivers to other speaker manufacturers. CTS was also a large OEM supplier to the speaker market.

The identifying numbers on the non-working driver(s) may be more important than identifying the speaker manufacturer. Then there are crossover components that also could be blocking signals to the drivers rendering them currently useless. I always expect some work to be required, on vintage speakers purchased, to bring them to working condition. Since you already have a pair that need work you could do some trouble shooting with them before venturing into another purchase that might require work.
 
Slow your roll a bit. I would think you could do a lot better than the Sansui offerings on your local CL for little money - like OLAs (Original Large Advent).
 
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