Some people are not a fan of Realistic anything or speakers in particular. I get that but that being said there is no doubt that Realistic (Radio Shack) has come out with a few good ones in the past. Take the mighty Mach 1s or the minimus 7s for instance. Not to mention a smattering of Optimus and Nova series sets that also have some recognition....Does anyone know anything about the MC 2001 model. Its a 2 way bass reflex design with 8 inch woofer. Real walnut veneer cabinets I can find them in the catalog for 1982 at 99.00 a pair one year only in the catalog I think. Have you heard them and also what about the Nova 15s, also a 2 way 8 inch woofer design. I have some of those that need re-foaming if its worth it.
REALISTIC speaker opinions
- Thread starter hwystar
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Nothing at all wrong with Radio Shack stuff, as they wouldn't have constantly been packing the store's if they sold junk. My older brother used to manage couple of them, so got to play with all the stuff. For speaker's, the Nova 8B's are real stand out's. Personally never liked the Mach One's at all, and not much on the Minimus 7's either(although have some in the bedroom). As a whole, RS speaker's are worth checking out.
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
(realizing that no one asked, but I'll share my own personal 2 cents...) The problem with virtually all Radio Shack branded loudspeakers is that they all sould like one is listening to a speaker. There's a certain two-dimensionality; a "flatness" of presentation or a lack of transparency (I guess one might say "opacity") that leaves me pretty unsatisfied. The Electrostat-2A is a moderate exception - the MR and HF is really quite nice on these. YMMV, on both counts, of course.
As to the speaker in question; check www.radioshackcatalogs.com ca. late 1970s/1980 or so (edit: it's on page 27 of http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalogs/1980/). You'll find all that there is likely to be known. I remember the model number, but not the speaker, offhand.
As to the speaker in question; check www.radioshackcatalogs.com ca. late 1970s/1980 or so (edit: it's on page 27 of http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalogs/1980/). You'll find all that there is likely to be known. I remember the model number, but not the speaker, offhand.
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squarewave
Shadetree mechanic
Radio Shack...
I gradually worked my way into true hifi partly through Radio Shack products... Incidentally, before you dismiss the Minimus-7 be aware that it can be dramatically improved with the easy mod kit sold on ebay that introduces a proper zobel network crossover and quality film capacitors for about $25. I've done mine and wow, I did not expect such a difference- this kit is the bomb-diggity- easy to install, all instructions included, even a piece of rosin-core solder to complete the job, although soldering is not required.
As for the shack speaker line, in my opinion the various iterations of their tower speakers were notable, if somewhat flawed. I did not own every speaker they made but in 1983 I purchased a set of T-300 towers that acquitted themselves very well. They had a 10" woofer, 10" passive radiator, 5" cone midrange, and a 1" soft dome tweeter. Listed as: 44-20,000 Hz, 91 dB efficient, crossover @ 800Hz and 7,600 Hz, 150W power handling. They were a little heavy in the midbass and that is why I sold them, plus I was moving on to some Ohm Walsh 2s at the time. BUT: they sounded very good, nice detail, smooth and neutral except for flawed bass I mentioned. Not bad for the so-called "Rat Shack". Good build quality, and one more thing worth mentioning, many of their speakers used REAL WOOD VENEERS, even on the front face so the speaker looked good even with the covers off!
I gradually worked my way into true hifi partly through Radio Shack products... Incidentally, before you dismiss the Minimus-7 be aware that it can be dramatically improved with the easy mod kit sold on ebay that introduces a proper zobel network crossover and quality film capacitors for about $25. I've done mine and wow, I did not expect such a difference- this kit is the bomb-diggity- easy to install, all instructions included, even a piece of rosin-core solder to complete the job, although soldering is not required.
As for the shack speaker line, in my opinion the various iterations of their tower speakers were notable, if somewhat flawed. I did not own every speaker they made but in 1983 I purchased a set of T-300 towers that acquitted themselves very well. They had a 10" woofer, 10" passive radiator, 5" cone midrange, and a 1" soft dome tweeter. Listed as: 44-20,000 Hz, 91 dB efficient, crossover @ 800Hz and 7,600 Hz, 150W power handling. They were a little heavy in the midbass and that is why I sold them, plus I was moving on to some Ohm Walsh 2s at the time. BUT: they sounded very good, nice detail, smooth and neutral except for flawed bass I mentioned. Not bad for the so-called "Rat Shack". Good build quality, and one more thing worth mentioning, many of their speakers used REAL WOOD VENEERS, even on the front face so the speaker looked good even with the covers off!
johnda
Addicted Member
Nova 8's or 8B's are right at the top. I also have a pair of 3 way model 1020 speakers (15" woofer) not as good as my Nova 8's, but decent sound. I'm listening to the 8's in my study right now, via the web reciva.com Happy Days new age, amazing how well they reproduce the entire spectrum so effortlessly. I just never get tired of them.
avguytx
Lunatic Member
I've never owned a pair of RS speakers that I've kept....so far. 
Well, except Minimus 7's but those are my test speakers for amps. Nothing against them....I think some do a phenomenal job. But, when it was time for herd thinning, they didn't stay around. I've had Mach 1's and 2's in the last few years plus owned a set of 1's when they were originally out. A good friends parents owned the local RS in my hometown...I loved talking shop with them. Good people.
Well, except Minimus 7's but those are my test speakers for amps. Nothing against them....I think some do a phenomenal job. But, when it was time for herd thinning, they didn't stay around. I've had Mach 1's and 2's in the last few years plus owned a set of 1's when they were originally out. A good friends parents owned the local RS in my hometown...I loved talking shop with them. Good people.
TerryO
Super Member
The ebay kit may be OK, but I sure woundn't pass up AK's mod designed by Zilch. An AK search will bring it up and I believe it's superior to all the other mod's for the Minimus 7s going back 30+ years or so (there's a number of them). It's also the most recent and complete.
Best Regards,
TerryO
squarewave
Shadetree mechanic
MC-2001: acoustic suspension
The catalog says the MC-2001s are "sealed" boxes suggesting that they are acoustic suspension: have yours been modified to bass-reflex? (The MC-1400s are bass-reflex.) Incidentally, since these do not carry the (flagship) "Optimus" name so they are lesser speakers even within the RS lineup... Can't say I've heard them though, but if you like 'em, enjoy 'em! :yes:
The catalog says the MC-2001s are "sealed" boxes suggesting that they are acoustic suspension: have yours been modified to bass-reflex? (The MC-1400s are bass-reflex.) Incidentally, since these do not carry the (flagship) "Optimus" name so they are lesser speakers even within the RS lineup... Can't say I've heard them though, but if you like 'em, enjoy 'em! :yes:
squarewave
Shadetree mechanic
Thank you- I love this site!
Thanks for the heads up on the Zilch mod: I was unaware of an AK version, I'll keep it in mind as I may acquire more M-7s in the future as they pop up at thrifts, etc. Thanks to the vast knowledge base here, I always learn something new.:tresbon:
Thanks for the heads up on the Zilch mod: I was unaware of an AK version, I'll keep it in mind as I may acquire more M-7s in the future as they pop up at thrifts, etc. Thanks to the vast knowledge base here, I always learn something new.:tresbon:
Thanks, I think the 1980 catalog may be mistaken unless they were redesigned later. The 1982 catalog calls them tuned port bass reflex if I recall. Mine have a port in the lower left corner below the woofer.
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalogs/1982_small/ Actually just tuned port, the MC1401 is called a Bass Reflex, not sure what the difference is.
terra1
Addicted Member
I have a pair of MC-2001s. They are literally very sweet sounding speakers. They are kind of llike bigger Minimus 7s.
Not having the name Optimus doesn't equate to lesser. I like them better than the Optimus 21 which can sound rather boomy with some receivers.
I like the Nova series and a favorite was a pair of Nova 8Bs I regretfully gave away. I have since got an Optimus 5B which is very similar.
The 2001s would be great for a small bedroom or dorm because of their light weight and size, and can be placed virtually anywhere.
Fortunately, you shouldn't have to pay too much for any because of their lesser reputation.
As they say let your ears decide and not your vocabulary.
Not having the name Optimus doesn't equate to lesser. I like them better than the Optimus 21 which can sound rather boomy with some receivers.
I like the Nova series and a favorite was a pair of Nova 8Bs I regretfully gave away. I have since got an Optimus 5B which is very similar.
The 2001s would be great for a small bedroom or dorm because of their light weight and size, and can be placed virtually anywhere.
Fortunately, you shouldn't have to pay too much for any because of their lesser reputation.
As they say let your ears decide and not your vocabulary.
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stereofanboy
Addicted Member
I'm with squarewave on the real wood veneer, even on the front, thing. I think it really adds to the looks. Unfortunately, out of about twenty five or so pairs of Radio Shack speakers that I've owned, not a single pair had wood veneer on the front.
I have not listened to all that RS has offered, but I think they built some great speakers (and some crappy ones). I think the reality is that bad RS speakers probably heavily outweigh good RS speakers, at least from what I have seen. You just have to find the good ones. People either hate Mach 1's or love them. I happen to like mine. If you expect them to equal a pair of $3000 speakers, you are probably going to be disappointed (though not by as much as you might think). The Mach 2's seem to be held in higher regard. I have not heard a set of Mach 2's, but the Mach 3's I own are better than the 1's, in my opinion. They have the sound I like. Recapping the 1's may change my opinion, we'll see.
The Minumus 7's still amaze me.
Realistic can hold it's own against a lot of speakers that many would consider worthy of the audiophile label. And usually at a smaller price tag.
YMMV, of course.
The Minumus 7's still amaze me.
Realistic can hold it's own against a lot of speakers that many would consider worthy of the audiophile label. And usually at a smaller price tag.
YMMV, of course.
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speedle
Peanut gallery owner
Completely appropo of nothing, I have a set of MC 1000's from the mid '70's. Little sealed boxes way too small for the woofer, but the build quality of the drivers and box is really astounding, not even considering the price at the time of about 60 bucks. The boxes, while not veneered on the front, are veneered on the inside as well as the outside. The woofers have self-cooling dust caps, and the quality of wire and connectors is way above par. The set of Infinity 3000's I just restored was not built anywhere near as good.
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
Worked for RS from 83-90. That means I got to listen to all the speakers of that era quite a bit and with a wide variety of music and even early HT stuff. I have a wide variety of speakers today, roughly 12 working pairs of speakers, many listed in my sig.
Openess? Depth? Soundstage? If you couldn't hear that, then you simply had them positioned wrong. My top 3 speakers are my Machs, L3's and Haydn's, each having their own strengths. But what they do all have in common is similar soundstage and presence, with each having strengths with different instruments or vocals, etc. In each case I didn't hear left or right speakers, only balanced presentation. Only when something was intentionally mixed to left or right was it apparent. And when sound panned, it sounded panned and not jumping from left to right or vice versa.
I don't understand all this smack about RS speakers. First and foremost RS fed the masses, which most of us know are the vast majority of people who's budget prevented them from owning what many people here refer to as "real" speakers. I feel sorry for these people as it's more arrogance than anything else. RS produced speakers far superior to many brands and prices the "average" person could afford AND gave people a step into real Hi-Fi that wasn't attainable by many many department store systems, and even many brands and models sold in Audio Stores.
When people talk JBL, Klipsh, Infinity, Maggies, etc., these are truly the elite. These are NOT average consumer speakers. These speakers fit two categories to me. Those that truly appreciate musicality at it's best and can afford ALL the components neccessary to accomplish that goal and the others for which it's more about status.
I would never put RS gear in the same league as top flite electronics. But for people like myself they fit the bill nicely. I never find myself "auditioning" my speakers. I don't find myself regretting my purchases. Do I have an ear for good sound? Absolutely no doubt in my mind. Dirty Harry said "...a man's got to know his limitations..." Mine is distribution of the funds I have in the most appropriate manner for my budget.
The difference between me and a number of "audiophiles" is I grew up with musicians, I was a musician and I still love live performances. Speakers have to be pretty bad for me to not listen, because for me it's not about the speakers or the receiver or the amp or the tuner or the TT. It's the music. People say "...but your missing this, or that or something else..." Really? I don't think so. My question to them is, were you really listening or just auditioning?
AnalogDigit
Realistic fan.
My favorites are the Nova series as well as the Minimus 7 speakers. I thought Radio Shack gave you a good bang for the buck. I also heard a few Radio Shack speakers that were terrible.
HTHMAN
Super Member
I think it is wrong to generalize on RS speakers. They, just like everyone else, made some very good and some not so good speakers. I have owned infinity and JBL as well as RS speakers. Each had its own strengths and weaknesses. None sounded as bad as a pair of Kenwoods I acquired with some other electronics, but that does not mean all Kenwood speakers are bad. My favorite RS speakers were the Optimus 5B which I am sorry I sold and the Optimus 1 that I still own and may never let go. I also own several pair of the Minimus 7 line and think they are outstanding for what they are.
Chose speakers on the sound, not the name.
HTHMAN
Super Member
As I stated, some are very good, some not so good. None were top of the line speakers, but some approaced the KLH 5 and 6 models as well as the AR3 of their time and at a lower price that let a lot of people afford them. Some of their better speakers used Fostex drivers and they are no slouches when it comes to speakers. RS made a lot of cheap, boomy, chipboard boxed speakers just like Pioneer and others did.
Radio Shack did a lot of re-branding from OEM manufacturers such as Shure, Pioneer, Elac, CEC etc. Those were good products. There was also a lot of cheap crap mixed in and that lead to the conception that RS stuff was no good. You have to chose their products on merit, not the RS brand name.
