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MCS Speaker questions

xs650shawn

xs650shawn

Active Member
Picked these up today. MCS 683-8320 "Linear Phase" speakers. Excellent cosmetic condition, and actually pretty good sounding, at least to my ears! One question though. I know they are not high-end. I know MCS components were made by various manufacturers, and these look like some Technics speakers I have seen. Does anyone know if these were designed and/or manufactured by Technics? Also, just out of curiosity, did these sell separately, or as part of a "rack" system? Searching doesn't result in much for these.
 

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I believe they are technics, and some of the MCS stuff is highly regarded. The only complaint I have ever heard about them is that they are a misunderstood execution of a good idea, but I'm not an expert as to why. I would guess it has something to do with distance between drivers being too wide to be nearfield, so the staggered placement of the drivers might might not affect much once you are some distance away. Of course, I am a fan of any speaker that attempts to keep all it's voice coils on the same plane, so if I found a pair I would likely buy them if the price was right.

Getting them off the ground might determine how well these can image. I'm sure that they could be had separately, but could have been part of package systems for JCPenney.
 
Technics made many of the MCS turntables so it's possible they also manufactured some models of speakers for JC Penney.
Just a guess, but those were some of the "better"* MCS speakers so I suspect they were available as separates.
HifiRob would know for sure, maybe he'll pop in.


*Based on price.
 
Yes, these were made by Technics. They differ slightly from the 'real' Technics model in that they have a different tweeter, and a few slight cosmetic changes.

The 8320 were probably one of the best selling MCS speakers. They seem to turn up all the time. The bigger 8330s had a 12" woofer, and the smaller 8310s used a 8" woofer, and skipped the midrange.

I think the Technics equivalent - the SB-L200 - used a horn tweeter, and also may have had some type of material on the "shelf" above the woofer to help avoid reflections from the midrange.

They were sold separately, but could probably be packaged with other pieces to get a deal on a complete system. The Technics models were sold in 1979-80. MCS got them in 1981-83. They were replaced in 1984 with the honeycomb driver versions - the 8322s (10" woofer), and 8332s (12" woofer).
 
I have repaired, recapped, re-foamed a few pairs of MCS. They are good, well made speakers-least the early ones were. I would not kick them out of my bed..........Technics was their father brand. Some of the MCS electronics was not at all bad, namely a tuner or two were outstanding. Some of their other "busy" looking electronics was flash in the pan consumer cosmetics gone bad stuff! The used a dome mid that I still would love to fing!
DC
 
Thanks for the info, guys. I had a hunch these were a Technics design. I think they sound pretty good. Was listening to some Rush, and it sounded well detailed, bassy, good highs.
 
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