Anybody have any knowledge of or experience with the Rectilinear 5 speakers from 1974 ? I have a pair that are excellent condition along with the original stands and owners manual that I am considering selling only because I have too many speakers, but I have yet to see a pair of them anywhere. I happen to like their sound, clean and crisp, but then I also like some music that others think is noise. I am wondering if I have treasure or trash? Were they so bad nobody bought them ? Or are they such treasures that nobody sells them ? I have been watching eBay for probably 3 years and also Craig's but have never seen a pair listed. I see a lot of the "lowboys" and "highboys" listed and also the print ad for the 5's but never a pair of 5's. Did I miss the only pair ever sold or do I own the only pair ever manufactured ? Thanks, Lane
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Rectilinear 5 Speakers
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I had a pair 30 years ago, so my memory of them is a bit fuzzy. I do recall I liked them a lot, but I have no clue what happened to them. The model 5 came after the IIIs (you probably know that) and Rectilinear did not last too much longer after that. I have a copy of Consumer Reports that has a review of them.
I have some Highboys now and I like the way they are voiced. I would be curious to hear the 5s again after all these years.
I assume you have seen this site:
http://www.sportsbil.com/stereo/rectilinear-db/
which contains many many links to Rectilinear docs.
I have some Highboys now and I like the way they are voiced. I would be curious to hear the 5s again after all these years.
I assume you have seen this site:
http://www.sportsbil.com/stereo/rectilinear-db/
which contains many many links to Rectilinear docs.
jasonh1965
New Member
I've just fired up a handmedown pair of Rect 5's. Had them checked out and cleaned. Running on Dual TT and Luxman 3030 reciever. what do I think.
sweeeet. warm, open and engaging. They are in a small room so they cannot put out to what they were designed for, but great base. They are not efficient so you need decent power to drive them. Enjoy.
sweeeet. warm, open and engaging. They are in a small room so they cannot put out to what they were designed for, but great base. They are not efficient so you need decent power to drive them. Enjoy.
butcherblock
New Member
I know this string is a bit old, but the subject is timeless... These are some of the finest quality Philips loaded cabinets i have ever seen.
I am Butcherblockaudio in New England , getting as i am new to here as far as discussion... we refurbish vintage audio equipment of all sorts and these are the pink unicorns of vintage speakers, only manufactured for a short window. Designed by Dick Shahinian and the company was started by some of the largest names in the industry that later on would work with or start some of the most iconic names in the industry: Ohm, Dahlquist, Marantz, Ampzilla, Harman Kardon etc... To me these are some of the most fantastic speakers ever made...
Let me know what you think, let's keep this discussion going... I will post pics later I on
I am Butcherblockaudio in New England , getting as i am new to here as far as discussion... we refurbish vintage audio equipment of all sorts and these are the pink unicorns of vintage speakers, only manufactured for a short window. Designed by Dick Shahinian and the company was started by some of the largest names in the industry that later on would work with or start some of the most iconic names in the industry: Ohm, Dahlquist, Marantz, Ampzilla, Harman Kardon etc... To me these are some of the most fantastic speakers ever made...
Let me know what you think, let's keep this discussion going... I will post pics later I on
Welcome to AK butcherblock. This is a great site with some of the most friendly and knowledgeable people you will find anywhere. I hope you enjoy your stay.
You are not the first to resurrect an old thread, but I'm glad you did. I own a set of 5's that I began restoring over 3 years ago and hope to finish later this year.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/rectilinear-5-woofers.562926/
I would say that this model is very rarely seen. I have only heard of about 6 sets in the last few years, but there just happens to be a pair for sale on ePay now, the only ones that I have ever seen.
Even though mine had incorrect woofers when purchased, they still sounded sweet and I cannot wait to complete their restoration so I can enjoy them. I also look forward to seeing your pictures and any other information you may have about them.
You are not the first to resurrect an old thread, but I'm glad you did. I own a set of 5's that I began restoring over 3 years ago and hope to finish later this year.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/rectilinear-5-woofers.562926/
I would say that this model is very rarely seen. I have only heard of about 6 sets in the last few years, but there just happens to be a pair for sale on ePay now, the only ones that I have ever seen.
Even though mine had incorrect woofers when purchased, they still sounded sweet and I cannot wait to complete their restoration so I can enjoy them. I also look forward to seeing your pictures and any other information you may have about them.
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doctorolds, did you pick the 5's up when you were in the Nashville area?
Yes I did, why do you ask?
butcherblock
New Member
Those 5s are mine... I restored them from ashes lol... I am butcherblockaudio, i specialize in restoring the icons and some rarities. They were just purchased but not been paid yet. A lot if that had been happening lately.
My problem is that i cant find any actual factory pictures. I'm not sure if they came with folded surrounds originally our rolled. They came with 2 fender/eminence drivers when i bought them. They sounded great actually. One was a 12 ohm and other was a 16 ohm, that i currently have for sale.
I went through a few pairs of Philips 12" high powered woofers that i found, needed replacement surrounds and some cleaning, but sounded warm and smooth and compliments the complete Philips 4 way mids and highs. One tweeter was blown along with a cap. So naturally i replaced all in matching pairs.
When these go on they are like nothing i have heard before, the solid (not veneered) possibly ash cabinets are constructed to extent high standards and create an amazing natural resonance.
I just finished completely overhauling a pair of 1982 Kef 104/2... These are complicated beasts, but much worth the efforts. Let me know if anyone is interested. I am in South Eastern Massachusetts and delivery. Also i repair surrounds, refinish veneer and the whole 9.
I am in transition of manufacturing speakers. Not sure what direction i should go. I am most likelygearing towards a full range single driver. Let me know what you guys think I'm really interested. I'm new to this so if you think I should start a new thread let me know. Thanx yall
My problem is that i cant find any actual factory pictures. I'm not sure if they came with folded surrounds originally our rolled. They came with 2 fender/eminence drivers when i bought them. They sounded great actually. One was a 12 ohm and other was a 16 ohm, that i currently have for sale.
I went through a few pairs of Philips 12" high powered woofers that i found, needed replacement surrounds and some cleaning, but sounded warm and smooth and compliments the complete Philips 4 way mids and highs. One tweeter was blown along with a cap. So naturally i replaced all in matching pairs.
When these go on they are like nothing i have heard before, the solid (not veneered) possibly ash cabinets are constructed to extent high standards and create an amazing natural resonance.
I just finished completely overhauling a pair of 1982 Kef 104/2... These are complicated beasts, but much worth the efforts. Let me know if anyone is interested. I am in South Eastern Massachusetts and delivery. Also i repair surrounds, refinish veneer and the whole 9.
I am in transition of manufacturing speakers. Not sure what direction i should go. I am most likelygearing towards a full range single driver. Let me know what you guys think I'm really interested. I'm new to this so if you think I should start a new thread let me know. Thanx yall
butcherblock
New Member
So are those your pictures our pics you found on the net?
butcherblock
New Member
Haha... Extremely rare... All of the original 5 pics with the wizzer are mine, taken off the very pair i sparked this thread back up with and taken with my very own camera... Hehe... I love them, they are primitive and raw and very much still relivant... This is actually what i imagined a cabinet to be, not partial board... Solid wood... These are one of the greatest unsung heroes i have come across... I kind of like them a lot more than my KEF 104/2... Come to think of it they really do sound better than anything i have... Brute force with grace, like a bugatti...
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Rackjafferty
New Member
I see this thread is very old but just wanted to join in on the praise for these speakers. I found a pair of Rectilinear 5a in the trash and took them home. From the scarce information I have dug up on the internet it seems the 5a is even more rare than the 5. The speakers are completely original. I was amazed. To me that is better than winning the lottery! I had to refoam the subwoofers but other than that they work perfectly. They are the best speakers I have heard and will hold on to them for life. I uploaded some before and after photos. Enjoy.
Attachments
lickyweaks
New Member
Well, I "finalized" my 25-year search for some Rectilinear 5a's. I am trying to recreate the stereo I had in 1977, Rectilinear 5a, Kenwood KD-2055 (got a KD-5070 instead) and a Yamaha A-960 (Yamaha A-1).
I had sold my 5a's and bought 7a's many years ago, but I think I remember liking the 5a's better, and they are much smaller. I got rid of the 7a's years later and the A-960 died. If the same thing happened now with the internet, I would have probably been able to keep both. Sigh.
A couple of weeks I saw an add on Craigslist for some Rect. 5a's and immediately contacted the seller and said I would take them. They looked almost brand new and come with the bases.
The only thing is, the labels/tags say Rect 5, not 5a, but these have the 5-inch lower mids and the correct super tweeters. I went ahead and drove the 9 hours there, and 9 back. They ARE almost new, and amazing looking for speakers that were made in 1976. The guy's father-in-law bought them new from Sound Unlimited in Watertown NY in December 1976. SWEET!!!!! Even have the sales receipt and all the paperwork. I bought mine at Sodaro's Electronics in Charleston WV.
Got them hooked up to my Yamaha A-1 and they sound excellent. As good as I remember?? Probably maybe. My ears are completely different now. Tinnitus from listening to music way too loud.
Another thing is the woofer doesn't have the reversed foam surround. But, I think those came on the 5a. So these are possibly mutant 5/5a. The serial numbers are 6629-6630. The woofers look brand new. And the woofer is attached with four bolts, not 8 screws. Outside of one small chip on one cabinet and some grunge on the top of one they are almost pristine.
I wish there was some better documentation from the end of Rectilinear's run. But these may be some of the best looking 5/5a left in the world.
Andy
I had sold my 5a's and bought 7a's many years ago, but I think I remember liking the 5a's better, and they are much smaller. I got rid of the 7a's years later and the A-960 died. If the same thing happened now with the internet, I would have probably been able to keep both. Sigh.
A couple of weeks I saw an add on Craigslist for some Rect. 5a's and immediately contacted the seller and said I would take them. They looked almost brand new and come with the bases.
The only thing is, the labels/tags say Rect 5, not 5a, but these have the 5-inch lower mids and the correct super tweeters. I went ahead and drove the 9 hours there, and 9 back. They ARE almost new, and amazing looking for speakers that were made in 1976. The guy's father-in-law bought them new from Sound Unlimited in Watertown NY in December 1976. SWEET!!!!! Even have the sales receipt and all the paperwork. I bought mine at Sodaro's Electronics in Charleston WV.
Got them hooked up to my Yamaha A-1 and they sound excellent. As good as I remember?? Probably maybe. My ears are completely different now. Tinnitus from listening to music way too loud.
Another thing is the woofer doesn't have the reversed foam surround. But, I think those came on the 5a. So these are possibly mutant 5/5a. The serial numbers are 6629-6630. The woofers look brand new. And the woofer is attached with four bolts, not 8 screws. Outside of one small chip on one cabinet and some grunge on the top of one they are almost pristine.
I wish there was some better documentation from the end of Rectilinear's run. But these may be some of the best looking 5/5a left in the world.
Andy
Congrats @lickyweaks, glad you were successful in purchasing another pair of 5's after all these years! I'm not sure if you plan on opening them up or not, but I'm curious about the model numbers on the woofers. They could have had the surrounds replaced incorrectly, but still be original? If you do open them up I would check the capacitors and frequency controls and address as needed. I hope that you enjoy them sir, they look great! 
lickyweaks
New Member
I am planning on opening them up. I am really curious about them too. They sound really good so I wonder if it is worth it replacing the caps. I suck at such things though. When I do open them up I will definitely post photos.Congrats @lickyweaks, glad you were successful in purchasing another pair of 5's after all these years! I'm not sure if you plan on opening them up or not, but I'm curious about the model numbers on the woofers. They could have had the surrounds replaced incorrectly, but still be original? If you do open them up I would check the capacitors and frequency controls and address as needed. I hope that you enjoy them sir, they look great!
Looking at the photos that are available it is hard to say which, what, when etc about the woofers. One thing I remember about my original 5a's is the bass was really good. These seem a little weak but I do not have them in the best setup. So, who knows.
Thanks for your interest. It's been a long and windy road getting here.
Sounds good. I purchased a pair of 5's not "A" years ago now. Original woofers replaced incorrectly, but purchased a pair from model III's. I have still not finished restoration so I cannot comment on their sound, or my speed, lol.
I believe I have obtained the correct model numbers for the woofers and I'll try to locate the info again. You are correct about not to much information being available about this model other than positive, but not many details.
I believe I have obtained the correct model numbers for the woofers and I'll try to locate the info again. You are correct about not to much information being available about this model other than positive, but not many details.
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stickman
Super Member
Lickyweaks, your Rec 5's are likely late production models since they have the KEF 5" bextrene cone driver midranges rather than the Philips 6.5" whizzer cone units used in earlier production. Your 5's also have Matsushita sourced dome tweeters rather than the Philips polycarbonate dome tweeters used earlier as well. Your woofers look to be the correct units from Eminence that may have been refoamed since the foam appears to be in such good shape.
In the 70's I owned a pair of Model 5's with the original driver configuration and apart from some midrange frequency coloration from the whizzer cone of the Philips mid thay sounded very good indeed. The yellow colored inverted foam surrounds on the Eminence woofers began to deteriorate rather quickly and not knowing about re-foaming I replaced them and threw the original woofers in the trash. Not a smart move. I sold the altered speakers to a friend in the 80's who still owns them to this day.
In the 70's I owned a pair of Model 5's with the original driver configuration and apart from some midrange frequency coloration from the whizzer cone of the Philips mid thay sounded very good indeed. The yellow colored inverted foam surrounds on the Eminence woofers began to deteriorate rather quickly and not knowing about re-foaming I replaced them and threw the original woofers in the trash. Not a smart move. I sold the altered speakers to a friend in the 80's who still owns them to this day.
