Gauss?

[Marine0811]

i posted this in general discussion too, I was wondering if anyone ever heard anything about Gauss theater speakers? There is a pair available locally and I was thinking about getting them, just not sure if they are any good

 

[James Hart]

I upgraded a 1971 Ampeg B-15 portaflex to a 15" Gauss back in the early 80s... it widened the frequency response drastically and improved the mids. I know that didn't answer your question, but I loved that speaker

 

[Blue Shadow]

i posted this in general discussion too,

Why?

 

[DirtFarmer]

Why?

For the door prizes? WTF not?

 

[Leben]

My experience with Gauss has been positive. I’d be interested to learn more about them if they were close to me. Any idea what model they are?

 

[classic carl]

i posted this in general discussion too.

Why?

For the door prizes? WTF not?

It's been removed.

 

[Marine0811]

I'm here to gain knowledge about audio equipment, not get **** for posting in two different areas. I'm simply asking question, I don't need to have my post commented on by people that just want to bitch about why I posted. I didn't realize I broke any rules, and for that I apologize. Btw. Threatening a Marine veteran? That's what what sounds like a good idea to you? Sorry for sounding like a jerk. Just wanted some asweres.

 

[bowtie427ss]

I'm here to gain knowledge about audio equipment, not get **** for posting in two different areas. I'm simply asking question, I don't need to have my post commented on by people that just want to bitch about why I posted. I didn't realize I broke any rules, and for that I apologize. Btw. Threatening a Marine veteran? That's what what sounds like a good idea to you? Sorry for sounding like a jerk. Just wanted some asweres.

Good enough for me. I apologize for letting you wake up my inner asshole.

CS-221 is a dual woofer Forsythe bin. It was really designed for portable sound reinforcement rather than theater use. Like most manufactured Gauss speakers, they are uncommon, probably VERY WELL built, and should sound pretty damn good. There's just not a lot of examples out there, and even less data.

Gauss are best known for their paper cone and compression drivers. For a time, they were a major player in the pro sound market.

Bart Locanthi spent time at Gauss perhaps intermittently as he worked at JBL. Hard to find any documentation, but it's my feeling that when he went to Japan he still had ties at Gauss and subsequently created the Gaus/Optonica studio monitors before moving on to Pioneer/TAD.

 

[Marine0811]

I agree with the inner asshole thing. I'm the same way! These are definitely the dual 15" driver, with a large horn they are pretty neat looking, but the guy says they need some work. I see at least one needs a re cone. What's the chances parts are available? I'd really like to get them for my collection of large format speakers. But I would want to fix them

 

[bowtie427ss]

Bill at Great Plains Audio "used to" service several models of Gauss woofer. It'd be worth a call to him.

They are uncommon enough, and if you really like collecting these beasties(and i would too if i had the space) i'd probably try to get them as reasonably as possible, and then figure out the repairs. There are fellas out there that can do proper repairs on most good vintage gear, and those certainly qualify. The challenge can be in finding these fellas.

Also note that Gauss did a funky thing with a couple of their woofers where they changed the model number along the way by rearranging the same four digits. It's possible to find identical woofers with somewhat different model numbers. The specifics are out there and we can wring them out if you run into this situation.

EDIT: i just looked at the new GPA website and they list several Gauss HF diaphragms, but no woofer parts anymore. I still might call Bill and ask about re-coning a Gauss woofer. https://greatplainsaudio.com/parts/

Not to worry, the HF parts would be the harder to find replacements, IMO. Worst case, i'd wager AK's own GordonW could come up with all the necessary parts for a nearly exact re-cone.

 

[bowtie427ss]

Bump!

Pics please.

 

[elitopus]

 

[twiiii]

I don't remember the exact year, but when MK iV industries decided they wanted to be big in the professional sound business they bought a few companies so they could sell a complete line of products. University, Atlas-Soundilier, Altec, EV and Gauss. Gauss brought high power handling woofers to the mix. There was also Dynacord from Europe. The big mistake was letting AKG get bought by Harmon International when they had the chance. Telex then bought out MK IV and the whole mess collapsed, with Altec just becoming a name and Gauss disappeared. Digital processing was becoming the rage and thats why MK IV bought Dynacord. Unfortunately they didn't have the answers, and neither did Altec or EV. They made attempts but there was no long term reliability.