Heathkit SS-1B any information on these would be appreciated

[Grady Shades]

I just got two of these speakers and got home with them. I took the back off and everything looks original to my untrained eye. There’s a possibility of getting the SS-1 that they were intended to go with I’m just waiting now to hear. I have seen a little about them around after some research here but I’m not sure what to do with them and I don’t want to mess anything up. Any wisdom would be well received.

 

[rusomon]

I've only owned (briefly) a single SS-1B and SS-1 so I'm definitely not an expert on these. No doubt people who actually know something will show up directly. I can say that in terms of value the Jensen RP-302 tweeters are the star of the show here. The bits and pieces in the SS-1 are nice as well.

Good luck picking up the SS-1s.

 

[maxhifi]

I restored a pair of SS-1's a couple months ago, and have been very much enjoying them. I can definitely see what a dramatic improvement the SS-1b would make. I hope you keep them together, most stories I read on this forum end in the speakers being parted out. If you weren't on the other side of the continent I'd be making you an offer

You can check the drivers for continuity, and do a tone sweep or click test to check if there's a bad voice coil. There's an old thread on here which has the schematic, if you search for it. Speakers this old can't handle a lot of power, and if someone hooked up a Japanese receiver to them at any point there's a good chance of damage. I would evaluate the health of all the drivers before proceeding with a project.

My SS-1's both had bad level pots - I was able to repair them though.

 

[Grady Shades]

I’m just leaving with the SS-1s now. Pics to come.

 

[Grady Shades]

Got them reunited

 

[SleeperSupra]

Sweet!

 

[Katalyst]

Can you flip one of the upper boxes to mirror image them? I would definitely restore and keep those. Very unique.

 

[Dswankey]

I’m not sure what to do with them and I don’t want to mess anything up. Any wisdom would be well received.

I would do some research on them. Here's a link with regards to specs

http://www.heathkit-museum.com/hifi/hvmss-1b.shtml

http://www.heathkit-museum.com/hifi/hvmss-1.shtml

Here's a thread you might find interesting

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/heathkit-ss-1b-a-rough-incomplete-project.644414/

 

[Grady Shades]

Just took the back off of one of the SS-1

 

[Grady Shades]

I have decided if I don’t keep them I will not break them down and part them out. I’ve cleaned up the cabinets and they turned out beautifully the scratches on the trim can no longer be seen, they just look amazing to me. One of the woofers will need to be repaired and like yours @maxhifi the pots will need some attention. I just recently became a grandfather of twin little girls and I suppose the history of everything means even more to me now than before. I want my granddaughters to be able to hear and enjoy some of these things that are being broken down, parted out, and shipped who knows where just to be part of a collection that never gets enjoyed, is not something I can bring myself to do at this time. If I can’t keep them and bring them back to their former glory I would only consider turning them over to someone who can and will do just that.someone loved these and took pride in them since 1957 or 58 and I feel like now it’s my responsibility to make sure they continue the lifestyle they were accustomed to.