Inside the Minimus 7: repair and restore
- Thread starter jpdylon
- Start date
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
I think I'll grab some 77s, or possibly the sheilded 55s, to make a full surround system out of these. It'll be a fun hunt.
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
Paul C said:
You are the one that inspired me to hunt some. You, and my other enabler, Kelly (KFA888). :thmbsp:
This will be a passive search, however. I'm pretty much in speaker nirvana right now. Adding to the collection may produce seizures in me... :sigh:
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
Shrinkboy/Paul C,
How similiar sounding are the 12s and the 77/55s?
Looks like the only big difference is the tweeter design (that, and the fact the 55s are shielded).
How similiar sounding are the 12s and the 77/55s?
Looks like the only big difference is the tweeter design (that, and the fact the 55s are shielded).
Paul C
Super Member
I haven't heard the 12's...
The 55's woofer has a poly cone and rubber surround... a much better looking woofer than the 7 and 77. The Pro-X55AV's sound better than the 7's I have. The bass is much better, and better midrange, too. These would make fine home theatre spkrs with no mods, just add a sub.
Shortly I'll be replacing my main speakers, and might rob the woofers from there and make some subs from them for my shop and bedroom systems.
The 55's woofer has a poly cone and rubber surround... a much better looking woofer than the 7 and 77. The Pro-X55AV's sound better than the 7's I have. The bass is much better, and better midrange, too. These would make fine home theatre spkrs with no mods, just add a sub.
Shortly I'll be replacing my main speakers, and might rob the woofers from there and make some subs from them for my shop and bedroom systems.
shrinkboy
Addicted Member
i got that upgrade crossover from the ebay guy. it came nicely assembled with good instructions which required that i nevertheless get a little push in right direction from the ever patient, gracious and helpful paul c.
i spent weekend before last disassembling a pair of minimi i've had for god knows how long, sanding the white paint down, and repainting the cabs krylon hammertone bronze with the grilles in satin black.
i also completely disassembled and removed the old crossovers and reattached the new components to the old spring clips. i toyed with new binding posts too, but that was jiggier than i wanted to get.
i employed a set of replacement woofers i've had around for a while, the http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-370 4 ohm woofer. i asked the ebay guy to configure the x-over for the 4 ohm part, which only cost a buck or two....
it all went together well, even with the huge 4.7 250v (50v stock) tweeter cap and the much bulkier induction coil.
i have been using the speakers as fronts in my HT setup along with a JBL sub. our room is pretty small, so we are almost doing nearfield listening. a strength on these little jobbers is soundstaging, and that only improves with the upgrade. sound is more solid, and with 4 ohm woofs drawing more current, bass is stronger and tighter, though not deeper. they sound like a much bigger speaker and they form a pretty seamless blend with the woof.
it was fun for this extremely green DIY'er, and the results were nicer speakers, and several hours of placid absorption in a basically meaningless, though nevertheless satisfying task.
recommended!
i spent weekend before last disassembling a pair of minimi i've had for god knows how long, sanding the white paint down, and repainting the cabs krylon hammertone bronze with the grilles in satin black.
i also completely disassembled and removed the old crossovers and reattached the new components to the old spring clips. i toyed with new binding posts too, but that was jiggier than i wanted to get.
i employed a set of replacement woofers i've had around for a while, the http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-370 4 ohm woofer. i asked the ebay guy to configure the x-over for the 4 ohm part, which only cost a buck or two....
it all went together well, even with the huge 4.7 250v (50v stock) tweeter cap and the much bulkier induction coil.
i have been using the speakers as fronts in my HT setup along with a JBL sub. our room is pretty small, so we are almost doing nearfield listening. a strength on these little jobbers is soundstaging, and that only improves with the upgrade. sound is more solid, and with 4 ohm woofs drawing more current, bass is stronger and tighter, though not deeper. they sound like a much bigger speaker and they form a pretty seamless blend with the woof.
it was fun for this extremely green DIY'er, and the results were nicer speakers, and several hours of placid absorption in a basically meaningless, though nevertheless satisfying task.
recommended!
StarMover
AlienToAllThingsAudio
Nice salvage work.
About those rusted screws. I recently fixed up a pair of AR38Bs that had rusted screw heads. I took some sandpaper to the screwheads, then stuck them through a piece of cardboard and repainted the heads with black spray paint. Big difference, you should try it on this pair.
About those rusted screws. I recently fixed up a pair of AR38Bs that had rusted screw heads. I took some sandpaper to the screwheads, then stuck them through a piece of cardboard and repainted the heads with black spray paint. Big difference, you should try it on this pair.
Eunomians
Diggin' 4 LP's Worldwide
I've been toying with doing the upgrade(s) to one of my pairs of 7s.
I gotta say that I really love these 7s. I use 1 pair with a Dynaco Quadaptor & AR3a's. Man, these 'lil 7s combined with the Hafler Circuit Dynaco thingy really sound outstanding. I've got the 7s facing eachother. It's easy to get them just at the rght angle, too, since I got 'em on their adjustable wall brackets/stands.
As far as looks and sound though (maybe it's 'cause of the looks) I think the 7w's are the best sounding.
I've got my 7w's set up on Speakers C on my Sansui 9090. They sound amazing 'alone' too!
I gotta say that I really love these 7s. I use 1 pair with a Dynaco Quadaptor & AR3a's. Man, these 'lil 7s combined with the Hafler Circuit Dynaco thingy really sound outstanding. I've got the 7s facing eachother. It's easy to get them just at the rght angle, too, since I got 'em on their adjustable wall brackets/stands.
As far as looks and sound though (maybe it's 'cause of the looks) I think the 7w's are the best sounding.
I've got my 7w's set up on Speakers C on my Sansui 9090. They sound amazing 'alone' too!
quietlymknnoise
Active Member
The price of minimus 7's
I just saw someone pay $141.50 for a pair of 7"s on Ebay. I am sorry I forgot and dleted too quickly.
I just saw someone pay $141.50 for a pair of 7"s on Ebay. I am sorry I forgot and dleted too quickly.
markallen
Luddite Tendencies
If you want an alternative source for a replacement woofer for the Minimus 7 series, check this link:
http://www.electronix.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1_328/products_id/13512
Not sure how they compare to the originals (or to the Parts Express woofer), but I use a pair of Minimus 7s with this woofer on my receiver test bench and they sound quite good. One characteristic I don't like is that the edges are a gold color, not black like the original, and this is evident behind the grilles.
Just one more option for Min 7 series fans out there.
http://www.electronix.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1_328/products_id/13512
Not sure how they compare to the originals (or to the Parts Express woofer), but I use a pair of Minimus 7s with this woofer on my receiver test bench and they sound quite good. One characteristic I don't like is that the edges are a gold color, not black like the original, and this is evident behind the grilles.
Just one more option for Min 7 series fans out there.
theodoric
101° Rx = + /_\
When it comes to rust, there are only two words: Naval Jelly.StarMover said: