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Optimus 5 or Optimus 9 speakers

woofercooker

woofercooker

Well-Known Member
Knowing my chances of ever getting the Optimus 7 speakers are slim, I have the oportunity to buy a pair of the Optimus 5's and 9's. I noticed the midrange drivers to be the same or simular. Can anyone tell me which one will sound best for balance, accuracy, openess, stage depth. You know the things that are truly important when listening to well recorded material. Thanks a bunch...
 
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Not sure how much help this is...

Optimus 5 introduced 1971
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1971/h029.html

Nova 9? Introduced 1972
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1972-a/h033.html

Finally, Optimus 9 introduced 1974
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1974/h024.html note this speaker is "open back" so very different design approach from the Optimus 5.

Neither speaker compares, dimensionally, to the 7, not even remotely close. I wouldn't be too surprised if similar or even same drivers were used. If they ARE the same I'd be very tempted to take cosmetically challenged speakers, pull the drivers and DIY an Optimus 7. Would be rocket science since it's acoustic suspension. I may take some heat for that, but anyone building speakers likely understands what I "mean" by that statement.

In answer to your "quest", honestly I've taken speakers that supposedly didn't have stage or imaging, but when "properly" placed did just that. Some speakers, however, no matter how much you futz with them they never really open up.

You will need to seriously consider recapping, RS caps were typically low end and will have drifted.

Boy, topic of Optimus 7 has really picked up in recent months. Not having a pair is making me feel rather left out.
 
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Thanks, Copa! I always enjoy looking at old Radio Shack catalogs. Maybe I should up my offer to $400.00 on Bartertown for Opt. 7's. Even still, is anyone really willing to ship those beast? I really like the T-120's I have, but they have their limitations. As you may know I'm a MCS nut But also a RS freak. I've owned two pairs of Mach One's and a pair of Mach Two. Still have minimus 7's. And also some other smaller types that I can't remember their names or numbers. These were fun neat cool speakers in my younger day, but just couldn't compete with the Legacy's and JAMO's I bought in the 1990's. I guess I'll have keep my eyes peeled and stop at GoodWill more often.
 
Anyone who wants to come to Vancouver Canada can try and wrestle mine away. Boy, Led Zep sure sound good right now. ;-)


Sent from my Nexus 4
 
Hey, folks! Just got the new caps installed in the Optimus 5 speakers I recentlly purchased and also woofer treatment for the cloth surrounds. I was going to wait to write anything until I got a few photos, but I just could not wait. These speakers are Awsome! Separation of instruments is so apparent. I used "Strung out on U2" Cd Violins, Violas, Cello. I also used some Jazz and '80s parts 1-3. Cd. I'm using a Tube amp in triode mode and I just am so amazed. These sound better than any other shack speaker I ever had or do have. I compared them to the T-120's I currently have and also the MCS 8226 that is pictured second from left in my avatar. The Optimus 5 win. The sweet spot for the 5's is narrow, but I can sit still on the couch. How could I have not given thse speakers a chance in my younger day? I guess I was too young and besides the Mach speakers looked cooler.
 
Been playing my 5b speakers for a couple days now, getting acquainted with them for the first time. I've owned them for more than a year. Hooked up to the STA-2000. If the VL 8b treatment improves things I'm in for a treat. I can't complain, not much anyway. Vocals are really sweet with these speakers.

Glad to hear your 5's have improved, but honestly I'm not entirely surprised. I think many of the higher end RS speakers from the 70's really sing. Happy for ya! My collection is sick. 5b, VL Mach One, LX5II, T-110, T-120 and that's in the man cave, Mach Two as mains in the HT system (living room) and LX5/8 in the garage.

Listening to "P!nk" on the 5b speakers and her vocals are beautiful.
 
many of the optimus speakers were sadly underrated..others were truly very nice with minor tweaks.
 
Hi All
Today's Goodwill score $14.99- 35% coupon you do the math.
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Cabinets 5, driver and all look beautiful 9, haven't cracked them open yet,( only been 15 min.)
Time to hook them up.
Later
Pigboat

If anybody left in this old post who cares. 9/7/18
 
Pigboat659G said:
Hi All
Today's Goodwill score $14.99- 35% coupon you do the math.
Preview attachment IMG_5275.jpg
0

icon_1_image_x16.png

IMG_5275.jpg
147 KBPreview attachment IMG_5276.jpg
Preview attachment IMG_5279.jpg


IMG_5279.jpg
130 KB
0


IMG_5276.jpg
127 KBPreview attachment IMG_5278.jpg
Preview attachment IMG_5277.jpg


IMG_5277.jpg
160 KB
0


IMG_5278.jpg
165 KB

Cabinets 5, driver and all look beautiful 9, haven't cracked them open yet,( only been 15 min.)
Time to hook them up.
Later
Pigboat

If anybody left in this old post who cares. 9/7/18
Click to expand...
Hey PB, I bought a pair of Optimus 5s from Goodwill about a month ago. Cabinets are pretty rough, but I can hear sounds with the Optimus 5s that I couldn't hear with my KLH Model 20's until they were recapped and redoped.
 
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