rare/unknown speakers that are better than popular choice

[ScareDe2]

I found it interesting when a user explained that when you ask for speaker suggestions it is normal that speakers that were mass produced come out, because more people could test them, which doesn't mean they are the absolute best in their price category. They are more recommended based on the fact that hundreds of thousands of units were build and they are thus available in large amount, which explains their popularity.

But what about those speakers that were built locally, or discontinued earlier that fewer people know about? Or forgotten vintage gem that no one seem to care?

Rock 'n roll !

 

[faber12]

I think that by default this thread will have few replies.

 

[Justgotohm]

If your talking older mid level offerings DLK made decent speakers, JW Davis had a few, Frazier’s, Hartley’s more affordable offerings. There’s possibly an obvious reason why some of these brands and others were not main stream.

 

[quiet]

The Crown C8.

 

[echron]

Norman labs from Norman Oklahoma made outstanding speakers that that most have never heard or heard of. But those of us that have know that there are very few speakers that come close

 

[gslikker]

I think that by default this thread will have few replies.

Indeed, while at the same time, the amount of small local brands which were or are making good quality stuff is huge.

 

[stereofanboy]

Indeed, while at the same time, the amount of small local brands which were or are making good quality stuff is huge.

For a given value of huge, I guess.

There was a speaker manufacturer local to me during the '70s. Their stuff was crap.

 

[NH-MAN]

Allison From Mass.

 

[savatage1973]

There are hundreds, if not thousands of "unknown" or "un-recognized" speakers out there. Some of them are fantastic, and some are total crap. It all depends on whether someone knew what they were doing when designing/building them.

Back in the 50's and 60's, especially, there were boat-loads of "private label" speakers sold--primarily by furniture builders. But even if they used the TOTL components (of the time), they were furniture builders, not speaker designers/engineers, but the cabinets were top-notch and could match your end-tables, coffee table and library case.

Then you have the small manufacturer/start-up companies. Some great speakers came out of those folks, but if something ever fails--GFL on finding replacements for the "proprietary" drivers, and (most likely) the schematic/specs were buried with the designer/engineer.

"Mass-market" brands--regardless of how old--parts are still available because they sold thousands of them, and XO schematics are available and documented somewhere if you do a little research.

I've posted this in other threads, but "rare" does not = "valuable". You may have the "last one" left on the planet--maybe there is a reason that the rest are in a landfill? Maybe there is a reason that only 1000 were ever built and sold?

 

[trinhsman]

Have seen some Olsen speakers recently at a Thrift store. Seem to be built like a tank, but almost no information on them. They want too much for them without knowing more.

 

[twiiii]

Olsen was a great raw speaker. designer. He also did pioneering work with different cone materials and magnet structures. He was also was very interested in different chemicals used in making adhesives. He was a consultant for Altec for a while when the developed their nice consumer line of speakers for the early 80's. Janzen was another well respected name that is not often mentioned. Beta basically used the same drivers as Klipsch Heritage series, but used reflex bass cabinets rather than. Horns like Klipsch. Was it HME that developed speakers that placed the woofer circuit in the feed back loop of an amplifier to get better control transients from woofers. Celestion made great smaller speakers for the Home. They only build professional speakers now. I wonder how many folks out there know who Tannoy is? Young folks would have no clue unless they read a lot about sound the history of sound reproduction. There are so many names that have come and gone. Fisher, Scott, Jensen, EPI, RTR, Ortofon Speakers, Bozak, AR,. I can't believe KLH is back and they are building the Model 9. Acoustic, Apogee, and on and on. Then there are all those Oriental and European made speakers I never knew or heard. I wonder how many would know M&K. Alllison, Beveridge, Heil, University, or Frazier, Davis, or Atlas Soundilier? B&O, Tandberg, Sherwood, Oxford, Stephens, and Tru-sonic. Even Ampex made home speakers. The late 40's and 50's was a great time for small speaker companies. Then stereo arrived and changed everything. Who had room for two Patricians, Bozaks B-400's or JBL Hartsfields?

 

[Justgotohm]

I picked up some Janzsen Z-40’s a couple weeks ago, looking forward to getting them sorted out.

 

[darkblue94]

Olsen was a great raw speaker. designer. He also did pioneering work with different cone materials and magnet structures. He was also was very interested in different chemicals used in making adhesives. He was a consultant for Altec for a while when the developed their nice consumer line of speakers for the early 80's. Janzen was another well respected name that is not often mentioned. Beta basically used the same drivers as Klipsch Heritage series, but used reflex bass cabinets rather than. Horns like Klipsch. Was it HME that developed speakers that placed the woofer circuit in the feed back loop of an amplifier to get better control transients from woofers. Celestion made great smaller speakers for the Home. They only build professional speakers now. I wonder how many folks out there know who Tannoy is? Young folks would have no clue unless they read a lot about sound the history of sound reproduction. There are so many names that have come and gone. Fisher, Scott, Jensen, EPI, RTR, Ortofon Speakers, Bozak, AR,. I can't believe KLH is back and they are building the Model 9. Acoustic, Apogee, and on and on. Then there are all those Oriental and European made speakers I never knew or heard. I wonder how many would know M&K. Alllison, Beveridge, Heil, University, or Frazier, Davis, or Atlas Soundilier? B&O, Tandberg, Sherwood, Oxford, Stephens, and Tru-sonic. Even Ampex made home speakers. The late 40's and 50's was a great time for small speaker companies. Then stereo arrived and changed everything. Who had room for two Patricians, Bozaks B-400's or JBL Hartsfields?

Speaking of Hartsfields...

No they're not situated correctly but they barely fit in the showroom.

 

[Pio1980]

Folks generally recommend proven common speakers that can be found easily for fair pricing.
In the rare/generally unknown category, I submit anything by John Fuselier. His model 3 and 5 midsize towers are especially good, made with excellent drivers, and can go for low prices as unknowns. They are somewhat comparable to the Thiel and Vandersteens, but easier to drive and very user friendly.

 

[Silentnet]

Cizek, if you can even find some.

 

[grillebilly]

Tekton is a small speaker company that only sells online direct to customers. If you want to hear then you need to find someone who has them or go by reviews.

https://www.tektondesign.com/

 

[NH-MAN]

saw these Sonab OA14L OA14R Speakers
wonder what the jumpers do

 

[chip18sw]

Well heck that one is easy for me! "Anything, Old, Big and difficult to drag home" w/o a SUV or a Pick Up truck ... "Has" to be worth having! But sadly thus far, anything I've found fits in a Prius.

 

[Blue Shadow]

But sadly thus far, anything I've found fits in a Prius.

You need a neighbor with a pickup truck you can borrow. I have a Jeep Cherokee that was fine for all my big speakers except the 78"x24"x16" set which needed the pick up truck. I also borrowed it when I picked up a pair of Tannoys and set of wheels and tires for the Jeep. But I could have picked up the speakers in the Jeep but these two were 5 mailes apart and 35 miles from here, just made sense to combine the trip.

 

[Blue Shadow]

saw these Sonab OA14L OA14R Speakers
wonder what the jumpers do

A quick search shows the jumpers adjust the tweeter level by ±2dB and flat depending on which two are jumped. Set for flat from the factory.