• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Realistic Optimus-1 (KLH-6 copy)

Copa1934 said:
Those are serious cabs! With the exception of a couple 15" driven speakers, early RS speakers had good size cabinets, probably much better matched to the drivers installed. Mach speakers are notorious for having too small a cabinet.

They sure look nice. Deep buggers, like my HPM speakers. They aren't very wide, but boy they are deep.
Click to expand...

The KLH six's cabs are deep and the Optimus clearly copies the KLH six cab size with the seventeen lip around the front.
 
RS, and I guess Heathkit to some extent, were some of the best copycats and I mean that in a flattering way. They did their homework, though much of the credit likely lies with the manufacturer since RS didn't "build" speakers, that I'm aware of.

Heathkit, however, did have speakers identical to JBL, like the L88 clones, had the same drivers, crossovers, terminal plates. If they weren't rebadged JBL speakers, they were bloody good clones.
 
Nice speakers.

I've got a pair of Optimus 10's I bought around 1978 ish.
8" drivers with 10" drones. Just re-foamed them about 3 years ago.

Only issue is I really feel they are lacking in high frequency. I tend to use them with the Realistic "Super Tweeters" that are stand-alone speakers. I have always felt this way, even with 16 or 17 year old ears.
 
BillyBatts said:
Nice speakers.

I've got a pair of Optimus 10's I bought around 1978 ish.
8" drivers with 10" drones. Just re-foamed them about 3 years ago.

Only issue is I really feel they are lacking in high frequency. I tend to use them with the Realistic "Super Tweeters" that are stand-alone speakers. I have always felt this way, even with 16 or 17 year old ears.
Click to expand...
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1978/h041.html

3-1/4" tweeter. Pretty large for a tweeter. Might be limited by it's design or the crossover. Kind of funny how they state in bold print "Passive Radiator" then call it a drone in the description. Gotta love RS marketing.
 
I just picked up a pair of these (Opti-1) at the local thrift store. What is the max watts these are rated for? Can they handle 70 watts/ch from a Marantz 2270?
 
The used pair I picked up has some stains on the speaker cloth, so I was looking to replace it. If found some online with a similar tweed look, but it states it is 'acoustically neutral, but not 100% acoustically transparent'. Does anyone know what this means or have a recommendation for a replacement cloth? (color doesn't have to be an exact match) Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
The RS Nova 8 was a clone of the KLH 5 and mine still sound really good. I also have a pair of KLH 6 speakers that also are still working fine. Henry Kloss advertised the KLH 6's as having 12" woofers. I had been swapping them back and forth in my unheated basement but when it warms up I plan on setting up the A/B speaker option so I can not need to swap them any longer. I need to work on the gear placement so I can do this. The amplification is via my Sony STR-6055. Fun,fun,fun!
 
stereofanboy said:
The KLH 17 is not quite a quarter of an inch taller and one quarter of an inch wider than the Optimus 1B. The Optimus 1B is about two inches deeper than the KLH 17. The frame of the woofer in the KLH 17 is about an eighth of an inch larger than the frame of the woofer in the Optimus 1. The cone on the KLH is about one half inch smaller than the cone on the Optimus.

I should mention that the box measurements were taken from an Optimus 1B, while the woofer measurements were from a woofer from an Optimus 1 no B.
Click to expand...
Are any of the KLH tweeters or woofers a fit for the Optimus 1's?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom