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Jensen BL-220 w/ H-222 and Concerto CT-100, both blonde korina, one owner. Looking for info

Phlhear

Phlhear

New Member
I recently pulled two Jensen speakers out of a built-in cabinet where they’d been boxed in for decades, and I’d like to learn more about them from people who know these.

Speaker 1: BL-220 Bass-Ultraflex (ST-852, blonde korina)
  • H-222 12" coaxial, rim stamp ST 875 H 222, date code 220512
  • Original network on the frame and H-F balance control
  • Cabinet label intact, plus the June 1954 Jensen instruction note
Speaker 2: Concerto CT-100 (ST-914, blonde korina)
  • P12-NL woofer (ST-912)
  • RP-102 horn, date code 220622
  • A-204 crossover and H-F balance control
  • Cabinet label stamped 220642, serial #1281
Both are one-owner and look unopened inside: inspection paint unbroken on the hardware, original cloth wiring, cones intact, original grille cloth. Cabinet finish is clean. The Concerto decal has some flaking. I haven’t powered them and won’t until someone who knows what they’re doing has looked them over.

A few questions:
  1. Anything I should check or do before they’re played, given how long they’ve sat?
  2. Are these reasonable to run as a stereo pair, given the different drivers in matching cabinets?
I'm located in the Philly burbs (Narberth) in case there are any local resources you'd suggest.
 

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If the surrounds aren't ripped or hardened, not much harm to be done in a low power test. Can check drivers for continuity first, but I'd hook them up to known good power and give em a listen. They won't take much.

They might sound similar, really hard to say.
 
nice find

I wouldn't use them as a "stereo pair"

it looks like your room is big enough so I would suggest placing them in two corners of the room and set the amp to "mono"

that could be a glorious sound (but not for classic rock, metal or grunge)
 
Thanks, both. The surrounds look intact and flexible, so I’ll try a low-volume test on a working receiver and report back. And here's how they were set up - on the same wall of the room, built into the cabinetry.

View recent photos.png
 
Phlhear said:
...I’ll try a low-volume test on a working receiver and report back.
Click to expand...
I see you just joined AK so welcome aboard and here's hoping you enjoy your time here.

Where you not able to test them?

I see you created another thread today asking for how much they are worth and noted they have been untested.

Phlhear

Thread 'Value of two 1950s Jensen speakers (BL-220/H-222 and Concerto CT-100)?'

Does anybody have any idea what these two Jensen speakers might be worth? Both are in blonde korina cabinets and look to be original and untouched inside.


1. Jensen BL-220 Bass-Ultraflex (ST-852)


  • H-222 12" coaxial, rim stamp “ST-875 H-222,” date code 220512 (week 12, 1955)
  • Factory crossover network and H-F balance control
  • Clean grille cloth and finish, intact cone, original wiring, factory inspection paint on the hardware
  • Original June 1954 Jensen instruction sheet (Note 146)

2. Jensen Concerto CT-100 (ST-914)


  • P12-NL 12" woofer and RP-102 horn...
  • Like
 
Last edited:
I see above that these were stuffed into the boxes under bookshelves. Was there any room between the sides of the speaker cabinets and the furniture boxes they were shoved into? I think those speaker cabinets want some room to breathe what with the ports dumping out the sides ... I'd look for a matching driver set for either of the existing units and make a real stereo pair. A nice room with vacant corners might be a plus!
 
tgmartin said:
I see above that these were stuffed into the boxes under bookshelves. Was there any room between the sides of the speaker cabinets and the furniture boxes they were shoved into? I think those speaker cabinets want some room to breathe what with the ports dumping out the sides ... I'd look for a matching driver set for either of the existing units and make a real stereo pair. A nice room with vacant corners might be a plus!
Click to expand...
Yes I would say there was about a foot on either side and the front of their prison had fabric over it. The people who built the house loved all things tech of 1958 and we continue to uncover interesting bits.
 
Phlhear said:
UPDATE: I have tested both speakers through the original receiver, one at a time and together at low and moderate volume. Both play cleanly with no buzz, rattle, or distortion - and they are quiet at idle.
Click to expand...
Great news!!!

We here are a curious type, when you say original receiver I'm assuming it was the one that came with the speakers? if so what make and model?
 
Good question, and I should have been clearer. It’s not original to the speakers. It’s a 1970s Soundesign KMTR-127 receiver/8-track that was in the system when I found it. Whatever amp they were first used with is long gone.
 
Phlhear said:
....It’s not original to the speakers. It’s a 1970s Soundesign KMTR-127 receiver/8-track that was in the system when I found it. Whatever amp they were first used with is long gone.
Click to expand...
Yeah those speakers are definitely not 70's era as for what the previous owners initially used with it we'll never know. I'm guessing it was something cool though.
 
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