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Radio shack Optimus 7 1973 floor speakers

I've enjoyed my Optimus Seven. It was the first speaker in our living room that fit the decor nicely. They are a nice piece of "furniture" and make the room sound great. They were improved after I did a recap job. It's a full-fledged crossover even!

Enjoy!

P.S. Perhaps my avatar looks familiar?
 
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They sit so low, I'd be looking at a slanted base underneath to get the mid and tweeter firing more toward the listener. Cool looking though!
 
I’ve had mine for a couple of years. They are very nice to look at and very heavy. I have mine raised on two milk crates placed side by side. I haven’t done the recap yet but it’s on my to do list. I think on mine the mid and highs are more noticeable, I recently purchased a Polk audio sub and run that on the b side of my pioneer sx 980. It supplements the base. Also I recently purchased a equalizer so I could customize the sound for the room. There are a lot of people on here with great info and are ready to help . I like exploring the different forums and getting ideas.
 
gdmoore28 said:
Those are some really nice looking speakers. I'll bet they sound just as nice.
Welcome to AK, KYbronco.

GeeDeeEmm



For reference: Realistic Optimus 7

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Hah! These are MY speakers! I've barely been on audiokarma to see this thread but now with Covid-19. If it helps you to know, I still use the Optimus 7 speakers as my "fun" speakers...mind you, I have AR9LSi, Bozak Concert Grands (diy), ADS 1590/1 and yet I still consider Optimus 7 my fun speakers. They just have a fresh live sound to them!
 
whitey said:
Stands I made for mine.

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Those look really good whitey! Are those stands open in the back? I ask because I made big risers like that as well and the cavity resonated, and not in a good way, with the rest of the speaker.

I’m thinking I can rectify that by cutting out most of the back of the stand.
Again, lookin’ good!

Smiley
 
They are closed in the back. Made from 3/4 mdf, glued and screwed. They fit so snugly that when the base of the speaker is inserted into the stand you have to push the speaker down to force the air out. One could fill the base with sand if you wish.
 
Still one of my gotta own RS speakers. Owned many Mach One/Two speakers, 5B and still own many LX5, Minimus 7W and proud owner of the elusive STA-2100D reciever.
 
Your RS collection sounds great! I am experimenting with Mach 3 now. Would like to land a pair of Mach 2 as well. What I really want are the tweeters from the 2’s to play around with.
Tell you what, if you ever make it to touch MI from AK you’re welcome to stop in for a listen on the 7’s. Hell, if you came that far maybe I’d let you leave with a pair.
I definitely keep my eyes peeled for a 2100. Of course, I have no room for any more stuff, and I am at the tipping point with my wife. She’s good so far, but one other pair of speakers and the deal is off! Not even sure I could get another 7w through the door! What have I done?

Smiley.
 
Steve Smiley said:
Your RS collection sounds great! I am experimenting with Mach 3 now. Would like to land a pair of Mach 2 as well. What I really want are the tweeters from the 2’s to play around with.
Tell you what, if you ever make it to touch MI from AK you’re welcome to stop in for a listen on the 7’s. Hell, if you came that far maybe I’d let you leave with a pair.
I definitely keep my eyes peeled for a 2100. Of course, I have no room for any more stuff, and I am at the tipping point with my wife. She’s good so far, but one other pair of speakers and the deal is off! Not even sure I could get another 7w through the door! What have I done?

Smiley.
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LOL, wow. I know the wifey situation, though I've been divorced 3 years now. Not audio related. ;-)
 
im a huge Optimus fan and i own these babies which for their time period were much better than the kenwood/pioneer types and certainly equal to advent/polk/ar but audiophiles didnt give radio shack much respect...these are built like a tank and sound amazing!
 

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Kybronco said:
Hi, I’m a new member as of today and I’m seeking info on a pair of speakers I purchased a few days ago . They are in pretty good shape cabinet wise and I was told one tweeter had been replaced I have only listened to them with my Sansui G-5500 receiver on fm so far because I’m still making room for them in my listening room as they are large . Thanks for any info on these old school speakers, I appreciate it thanks .
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Kybronco said:
Hi, I’m a new member as of today and I’m seeking info on a pair of speakers I purchased a few days ago . They are in pretty good shape cabinet wise and I was told one tweeter had been replaced I have only listened to them with my Sansui G-5500 receiver on fm so far because I’m still making room for them in my listening room as they are large . Thanks for any info on these old school speakers, I appreciate it thanks .
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I'm wondering if anybody knows where to get an owner's manual for these Optimus 7 speakers. Also as far as I know they're working fine , they definitely sound pretty sweet . I bought them about a year ago off Craigslist pretty good score. But anything I need to do to make them sound better in a nutshell would be nice to know before trying to find it in the manual. The back has controls I have not opened them up yet but like I said they are working. Thanks for any help
 
The only thing I found was the catalog listing with the specs and description with some pics and pricing . Some people have recommended refreshing capacitors in the crossover and different mods can be found on here in forums if you search. Someone sent me a link with detailed modifications if I can find it I will forward it to you. Enjoy you speakers ! I’ve found anything with vocals or R&B or jazz sounds really good.
 
Steve Smiley said:
I've enjoyed my Optimus Seven. It was the first speaker in our living room that fit the decor nicely. They are a nice piece of "furniture" and make the room sound great. They were improved after I did a recap job. It's a full-fledged crossover even!

Enjoy!

P.S. Perhaps my avatar looks familiar?
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They are like furniture lol , well built! Question, any idea how to open them? I think I have a bad connection , but not my wheelhouse how to get inside the cabinet!
 
Gorcon said:
They are like furniture lol , well built! Question, any idea how to open them? I think I have a bad connection , but not my wheelhouse how to get inside the cabinet!
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Wait, the back doesn’t come off? I’m not with mine right now but that is probably the case(no rear panel access).
To get the grill off, there are screws underneath the top lip of the speakers grills. Then there are a few more under the bottom that screw into the grill. Lay the speaker on back or side and you can see them. Once you have the grills off, you can access everything through the woofer whole.

Are we sure we can’t take off the back panel?

Smiley
 
Sure enough, the backs are glued, not screwed. All access through the woofer hole. Not difficult, I recapped the crossovers through the woofer hole…
 
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