Had to buy them when I pulled the back panel

[Lo-Fidelity]

Was poking around at a hoarder estate sale, and found some interesting home made speakers. When I pulled the back panel off my jaw dropped. Inside was a beautifull blue Celesta driver. Had to have them.

Having done a little research on AK I have learned the Celesta looks much more impressive than it performs, which was a bit of a letdown. I really thought i had something for a while.

The speakers lack low end, but are very nice in the middle. Highs are ok, but if a simple and cheap tweeter replacement was available I might do it as the pine cabinets go great with the pine woodwork in the room.

Any thoughts on the tweeter / upgrades?

 

[68custom]

I think they perform well in an open baffle.
I also think they are impressive looking.

 

[hjames]

I have a pair of Celesta - they do look very impressive ...
For sound - I prefer the UREI coaxials

 

[Renegade]

Are they Celesta, or Celestion? I have seen quite a few old guitar amps with Celestion,,,,,,,, never heard of Celesta.

 

[loonze]

have had several sts of these-they are the deranged supermodel chick of speakers....look incredible....can't stand to be around them more than 10 minutes.

 

[Lo-Fidelity]

Another angle.

That tweeter looks a little like the old Jiffy Pop popcorn container.

 

[Lo-Fidelity]

I think they perform well in an open baffle.
I also think they are impressive looking.

I might give the open baffle a try. I have seen the open baffle tread, but any specific ideas for the Celesta?

The home made cabinets are solid pine.

 

[hjames]

They HAVE come up here before ...
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=303236

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=302767

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=291850

Mine look like this - model number C12PC-3B

 

[valvenator]

I would take the backs off and set 'em up 3 or more feet from the back and side walls in an open baffle kind of configuration just for the hell of it.
They are a pretty cool looking driver and almost a shame to hide them in a box. If they lack low bass (most likely) add a sub to the mix if you have one.
...just for the hell of it

 

[Farmhand]

The rounded bowl-looking cone, the surround, and the sparkly tweeter remind me of the Utah-made Realistic Americana. Any connection?

 

[hjames]

The rounded bowl-looking cone, the surround, and the sparkly tweeter remind me of the Utah-made Realistic Americana. Any connection?

Yep - Utah made the same speaker for Radio Shack and for Lafayette

 

[mhardy6647]

I have a pair of Celesta - they do look very impressive ...
For sound - I prefer the UREI coaxials

No?! Really?

;-)

The Celestas are probably the least interesting sounding (although nicely made) coaxes I know of.

FWIW, my favorite cheap coax is/was the EV Wolverine LT-12.

 

[Lo-Fidelity]

They HAVE come up here before ...
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=303236

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=302767

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=291850

Mine look like this - model number C12PC-3B

Thanks for the links. Great photos.

 

[tjohnusa]

Before you tear anything apart I would try to stuff the port with a few socks and give it a listen. The era this speaker was made was for mostly sealed cabinets. It should at least give you more bottom.