I've acquired Acutex ACT 4.2 Transducer consecutive serials

[0Hz]

Hi guys. A few weeks ago I spotted these at a thrift store for $20 / pair and they looked decent enough that I said "ok its 20 bucks". I will say the work required to restore these to proper working order is going to be more than I expected, and I also have a few concerns.

I can't find much information about these speakers, they seem to be extremely rare finds, and also I am not sure if it is a design choice or if these were messed with, but on the back interface, one of the knobs for what I am assuming is some kind of balance / cutoff crossover is red, while on the other speaker it is white. I don't know if this is supposed to denote a left / right paradigm or not. The interface panels themselves are also inverted. Pictures will explain more.

one (edit: both) of the ports is damaged. It is missing the mesh cover and there is a cardboard tube rattling around freely inside. I assume this is to be attached to the port opening and it was either an attempted repair or just failed, because I see remnants of glue, etc.

The balance/crossover knobs I mentioned before are very touchy. I probably will need to take the mechanism itself apart and clean it, as well as potentially replace any parts which may be in there. I am not sure how to open these speakers up and am looking for advice on non-invasive probing techniques and tools, as well as potential locations to investigate for probing.

I also have concerns about the drivers being original. There are mismatched screw holes and I am wondering if someone completely replaced the drivers in this system. My gut tells me they did, but the bigger question is how that affects their value and their ability to function in these boxes. Were they matched equivalent drivers at least? How could I possibly find out.

As I type this and was examining something, the one apparent "good" port actually fell out of the port hole as well lmao. it looks like failed glue job I will have to look into.

Included are some pictures. I have hooked these up (had to cannibalize old "surround" speakers from a garage system so no real loss) and they do sound pretty decent. They may be a bit big for my room but perhaps if I repair them well and have enough info I could sell them locally for a small profit. Or give them to my dad, lol..

One last interesting note. one of the tags from the store listed these as "only woofers connected, for parts only / as-is" but clearly to me the tweeters were also working. I wonder if this has something to do with the balance/crossover knobs in the back which are touchy and will need attention.

 

[0Hz]

So yeah, I just pulled the one tweet that had no screws at all (fit rather snug though) it's an obvious replacement and is from radioshack
I'm hoping the woofers are at least original as I can't see any obvious mismatching with screwholes etc like with the tweeters.



I'm assuming the only leeway to get inside at this point is going to be removing the back interface panels and shoving your hands in there. will probably have to take all drivers out so you can see what you're doing to fix the port and sound padding, etc

Also there may be stripped screw issues. Not sure how to fix that kind of thing.. is there a compound to actually fill in holes so you can redrill, or is it kind of find a special insert thing that fits in a new wider bore but internally grips the screws (kinda like drywall inserts?)

 

[0Hz]

So after sleeping on it, I've looked up images and confirm these are not the original drivers. I don't know what the large woofers are, but if they are anything like the tweeter then low powered radioshack more than likely.
Seems like they may have been "made to fit" and that's why the screws look the way they do. I got the other port sitting properly again (has its mesh cover too.. nice) they appear to be mounted by friction which concerns me in terms of vibration.

Took the interface panel off one and the pot, well I don't know what "kind" it is I'm not knowledgeable. but you turn it and it seems to control the volume of the tweet. The tweeter is not overly bright so I'm almost inclined not to touch it and just leave it full on, using receiver tone controls if necesarry. Not even sure how to hit this thing with cleaner tbh.

Seems like a decent set of speakers, all things considered. My bedroom is not the best acoustic space, but with them both hooked up at the right distance, it has decent low end (nothing to write home about) with my 636 set at neutral.

 

[gdmoore28]

Well, I wouldn't know where to start with these. While the cabinets are beautiful, the driver compliment has been so cannibalized that what you have is . . . well . . . some beautiful cabinets. Considering how few of these were made, the chances of finding original drivers for them are almost nil.

So, what you are left with is a couple of nice cabinets on which to build your own version of what they are now - a willy-nilly combination of drivers thrown together in an amateurish version of DIY speaker "design."

I hate to be so negative in my assessment, but that's just the way it is. Your best option is likely to keep them and use them just as they are. Not your fault - the previous owner(s) simply were not kind to them.

GeeDeeEmm

Here's how they looked originally:
From the Interweb: Accutex ACT 4.2

 

[0Hz]

No offense taken. I pretty much came to that conclusion myself. They kinda are what they are. The best I could realistically do is hope to take measurements and find some more suitable drivers for them. Which I don't think is worth the effort

I've been listening to the for the past 3 - 4 hours now, and being what they are it's not too bad. Listened to some radio (seems to sound the best, probably because its processed or w/e), listened to some vinyl rock and game music, have it hooked up to my PC right now on aux input and listening to various stuff.

gonna try playing a game. they sound pretty nice. But are too big for this room, will have to do something else with them permanently

 

[swechsler]

A shame, I remember those when they came out, it's when I first started getting into quality audio. They were obviously expensive and well-made cabinets (I especially love the grain, I assume it's real wood veneer). My friend had a lower model set of Acutex speakers. They also made phono cartridges that were well regarded at the time.

 

[0Hz]

yeah its real wood

 

[ACUTEX]

I acquired a pair of Acutex Act 4.2 from an online auction. It appears I have original drivers.

Oh, and one knob is white (and smaller) and the other is red. Who would do that? Too funny, right!

Well, I have a hunch ... Acutex USA or Acutex USA International (brand names on Woofer) or AaCcutex (brand name on Tweeter) was not a Japanese manufacturer of speakers but rather a speaker company in Virginia that played off on "Made in Japan" to sell speakers assembled in the US or rather in Falls Church, Virginia as shown in the only advertisement published. Here's a link => https://speakertopia.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2752.jpg

Where Acutex USA or whatever they called themselves got African Ayous wood veneer on rounded cabinets is the big mystery. The woofer label shows it was made by Oknyo for Acutex USA International. I've researched Onkyo speakers from the period using W2, KK and B904 but nothing. Only 6 ohms for the woofer and 8 ohms for the tweeter. Neither tweeter has any manufacture marks and the faceplate and driver are glued together.

I've fix the damage to the cabinet (looks like it was dropped recently) but now what?

Do I keep it ported or make it sealed? Either way, another fix is need If you look closely, the holes for the driver were drilled too close to the edge of the cutouts and were't uniform around the cutout. It's likely why the driver broke loose and pulled the edges out. I'll use brass inserts to minimize any tear outs in the future. I'll use automative sound dampening pads and then glue the sound pads to the interior of the cabinets. The pads were not glued previously.

I have no idea how to proceed. I did find some information from a magazine but it's doesn't seem complete. What would you do? Tequila? Contact CSS as see if they have recommendations?

Help!!