Realistic (Radio Shack) Mach One 's in the house

J

jamiecantar

Well-Known Member
Last time I heard these, I was in a Radio Shack maybe 1977-1978 with my late dad. Today I had an opportunity to snag a pair in not bad a shape.

Boy these things sound pretty good, man! Just stock, as is. Probably has all original stuff in it too...All components work...I have a pair of Altec Lansing Model Nine ll's and a pair of JBL 4311 monitors. I will eventually do a shoot out but at first listen these things are pretty darn good...and probably give the other two a run for the money. These are the 10 screw trim pot plate and with what looks like rubber surrounds...

Anyone familiar with these Mach 1's? Upgrades, tweaks? Thanks

1b5144eb84ac7bf2a90fbd713536bd2d.jpg
(not my image) for reference only...
 
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Gotta be a bazillion threads regarding Mach 1 mods. Geez, Radio Shack must have sold millions of those mediocre speakers.
 
I'm diggin' the spiral pattern on the woofer cones. Does it unwind as the cone goes in and out, or what is the purpose there?
 
There are threads on these along with some mods. One I read, some extra cross bracing was added to the cabinet along with cutting three large holes, I don't remember the diameter, between the bottom compartment and the upper horn compartment to add much needed volume to the cabinet. And Dynamat on the backside of the big horn to dampen them. There may have been crossover mods as well, I don't remember.
 
Lavane said:
There are threads on these along with some mods. One I read, some extra cross bracing was added to the cabinet along with cutting three large holes, I don't remember the diameter, between the bottom compartment and the upper horn compartment to add much needed volume to the cabinet. And Dynamat on the backside of the big horn to dampen them. There may have been crossover mods as well, I don't remember.
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Thanks, these will probably never win any audiophile awards, however they are a very fun and pleasant sounding feel good speaker...I found the mod links thank you. With the mod's, It can be not a bad speaker. i have the Realistic STA-2100 receiver and together they look and sound pretty good together. My go to 3 ways are still my beloved B&W DM6's but I have different listening rooms and these will proudly take a seat next to my Altec 9's and JBL 4311's...measurements or no measurements...thx
 
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alteclipsch said:
I'm diggin' the spiral pattern on the woofer cones. Does it unwind as the cone goes in and out, or what is the purpose there?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that spiral on the large 15" woofer is "Realistic's" design solution of wave guide and also adds a bit of rigidity to the large paper cone. The larger the cone size, the more distortion, and the harder it is to move air. Add the fact that this model is a sealed suspension box design, you need a bit a power to really hear a difference. It's not really considered a low volume speakers. That's probably why many people are impressed by the sound at higher volumes, things start to open up...Many new speaker designs incorporate a couple of 5 to 8" woofers instead of one big one, they found it minimizes distortion and it is able to move in and out (faster excursion) a lot quicker, however I don't know if a smallish size speaker can really dig deep down to 20-30hz, that i'm not sure of...I prefer a big woofer, distortion or no distortion...
 
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Congratulations on your find. Are they the 4024 or 4029? I've had a few pair of 4024 come through here and a recap and cleaning of the pots got them playing great. Better than mediocre in my opinion. Enjoy.
 
jamiecantar said:
Last time I heard these, I was in a Radio Shack maybe 1977-1978 with my late dad. Today I had an opportunity to snag a pair in not bad a shape.

Boy these things sound pretty good, man! Just stock, as is. Probably has all original stuff in it too...All components work...I have a pair of Altec Lansing Model Nine ll's and a pair of JBL 4311 monitors. I will eventually do a shoot out but at first listen these things are pretty darn good...and probably give the other two a run for the money. These are the 10 screw trim pot plate and with what looks like rubber surrounds...

Anyone familiar with these Mach 1's? Upgrades, tweaks? Thanks

View attachment 2421634
(not my image) for reference only...
Click to expand...
I have two sets of these.4024's and they are all original! Work and sound fine feeding off a STA-2300!4024 & 24A's were rated @ 100 Watts and the 4029' were rated @ 160 Watts I guess because they were Liquid Cooled. The 24 & 24A 's seemed to have rubber surrounds that even after all these yrs have stood up ! The 29's I bought a set in 1982 for my Son ,barely lasted 5 yrs yrs.Out here in Canada the 4024 & A's were guaranteed for Life and the 4029's for 5 yrs Warrantee only :)
 
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tiga said:
Congratulations on your find. Are they the 4024 or 4029? I've had a few pair of 4024 come through here and a recap and cleaning of the pots got them playing great. Better than mediocre in my opinion. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
4029's say Liquid Cooled on the trim pot plate:)
 
jamiecantar said:
I'm thinking that spiral on the large 15" woofer is "Realistic's" design solution of wave guide and also adds a bit of rigidity to the large paper cone. The larger the cone size, the more distortion, and the harder it is to move air. Add the fact that this model is a sealed suspension box design, you need a bit a power to really hear a difference. It's not really considered a low volume speakers. That's probably why many people are impressed by the sound at higher volumes, things start to open up...Many new speaker designs incorporate a couple of 5 to 8" woofers instead of one big one, they found it minimizes distortion and it is able to move in and out (faster excursion) a lot quicker, however I don't know if a smallish size speaker can really dig deep down to 20-30hz, that i'm not sure of...I prefer a big woofer, distortion or no distortion...
Click to expand...
It can be done with smaller drivers. I have a pair of Polk monitor that have two 6" midbass drivers and a passive radiator. Specs show down to 25hz. I think that would depend a lot on the room, but they do dig deep into the low to mid 30hz range.
I just don't really need to use my sub with these. The sub wound up being connected to a second pair of speakers.
 
BOUXY said:
I have two sets of these.4024's and they are all original! Work and sound fine feeding off a STA-2300!4024 & 24A's were rated @ 100 Watts and the 4029' were rated @ 160 Watts I guess because they were Liquid Cooled. The 24 & 24A 's seemed to have rubber surrounds that even after all these yrs have stood up ! The 29's I bought a set in 1982 for my Son ,barely lasted 5 yrs yrs.Out here in Canada the 4024 & A's were guaranteed for Life and the 4029's for 5 yrs Warrantee only :)
Click to expand...

tiga said:
Congratulations on your find. Are they the 4024 or 4029? I've had a few pair of 4024 come through here and a recap and cleaning of the pots got them playing great. Better than mediocre in my opinion. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

They are the 4024a's. I've been reading these are the better to have. not the 4029's
 
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Lavane said:
It can be done with smaller drivers. I have a pair of Polk monitor that have two 6" midbass drivers and a passive radiator. Specs show down to 25hz. I think that would depend a lot on the room, but they do dig deep into the low to mid 30hz range.
I just don't really need to use my sub with these. The sub wound up being connected to a second pair of speakers.
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Your probably right, im not sure. the only speaker closest to that i have is a B&W DM14 which has two 6" woofers. Well one acts as a mid/woofer. but they don't go very deep. maybe 50hz. Now, my B&W DM6's ( as seen in my avatar). Oh boy these are another kettle of fish. the bass is deep. i mean deep. and clean. tight...love those speakers...plus, i have all the components to a set of B&W 801/80's in a box which i need to find or build the lower cabinets for...Bet these would sound even better...
 
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