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Rectilinear III Highboy value

bobdod

bobdod

Super Member
Have a chance to pick up a set of Rectilinear III highboys for 100 bucks. The cabinets will need to be refinished (I can do that) and two tweeters are missing. I've been looking for a well regarded large(er) speaker at a lower price, but is this worth it or not?
 
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Rectilinear IIIs are a lot of bang for the buck. I think they are currently undervalued. The tweeters are quite good for paper cones (aluminum dust caps) Used ones are still available if you’re willing to do some searching.

If you get them, don’t play them too loud since the mids cover a very wide range and can fry at higher volumes. That’s part of what makes them sound good though, keeps the crossover points out of the midrange. Replace the capacitors in the crossovers, the values have likely drifted. They can be a fun project, best of luck if you end up with them.
 
kirk57 said:
$100 is a steal for these, IMO.
Click to expand...

I'am a bit on the fence. Here's a pair for $200 and in better shape.
https://reverb.com/item/28497120-rectilinear-vintage-highboy-speakers-clean-tested-working

Most of the listings I've seen are asking $300-$400, but again, thats just asking, not selling. I figure replacement tweets would be $40-$50 by the time I get them, and the cabinets, while I can make them look nice, won't be OEM mint.

What I really want are some Bozak 302s or Altec 841/843/847s, but I've seen nothing locally at anything approaching sane pricing. I was thinking that these Rectilinears could scratch that itch for a bit until I can find a deal on something else.
 
People who have them, seem to like them. I agree with you, there is less risk related to the ad above. Make sure all the drivers are original, and you are good to go. We all have our dream speakers. Once you get them, a new dream speaker comes along. Consider it a stepping stone to let you make sound choices when you do see your dream speakers.
 
Leben said:
Rectilinear IIIs are a lot of bang for the buck. I think they are currently undervalued. The tweeters are quite good for paper cones (aluminum dust caps) Used ones are still available if you’re willing to do some searching.
Click to expand...
Plus IIRC there are actually two different tweeters, one pair of each. To do a proper restoration you have to source the correct ones. Mine had one bad tweeter which I just replaced with a generic. I figured one out of four, it would only make a 25% difference in coloration (I matched the resistance of course). I couldn't hear a difference between the proper one and the repaired one.

I had a heck of a time moving them along. Nobody seems to want big speakers anymore. They sounded lovely, but I think $100 is high. I suppose it really depends on the condition of the cabinets. "Needs refinished" can mean a lot of things.

Paging @drbiggles
 
I paid $100 for a pair few years back, they had been stored for quite a few years. I rewired and recapped the speakers and used them for a month or so and then gave them to a friend. Had more fun working on them than listening to them.
 
These play well above their grade level. You are in range if they are relatively easy to update with refinish and new tweets. Since they are pretty large, you want them to look nice. There are 2 tweeters and 2 super tweeters. Main caps for approx. 65-80mfd 250v are about $30 and worth the upgrade.
 
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