Rectilinear XII

[CreamSupreme]

I just picked up a pair of Rectilinear XII speakers locally for $30. I need some help ID'ing them because they the driver layout doesnt seem to look the same as the other XII's, however the cabinets and grill look the same.

I need to refoam the woofers, but I'm guessing since these are rare speakers I'll have to just measure the surround and purchase them by dimension instead of purchasing them from a seller made for an exact speaker?

The speaker cloth is in pretty rough shape in the corners, I wanted some input on where to buy replacement cloth, and what color you guys think would look good. I'm thinking maybe an off white like I've seen on large advents?

(I have attached pictures for reference)

Thanks for your help!

 

[kirk57]

I'd say they are the real deal. The midrange and tweeter are correct, I can't say about the woofer since I don't have that particular Rectilinear model (my guess is it's also correct). Rectilinear bought their drivers from a variety of sources, CTS being one, so there is nothing proprietary about the size. Just carefully measure (Simply Speakers tells you exactly what to measure, as do others I'm sure) and the surrounds should be fine.

As far as grille cloth, I do know that early version of the Highboys used a white cloth, so I went with that (this cloth was from some Magnepans). I like the look.

 

[ra.ra]

Yep, it all looks original to me, except I think you may have the Xa model and not the XII. Both models are 10" three-ways in the same size cabinet, but the model XII is a bass reflex type (with port), and the Xa is acoustic suspension (no port). The Xa retailed for almost 50% more - - - $199 compared to $139. The 5" Phillips mid and the 2-1/2" Peerless tweeter are the same in these models, but the woofers are different. The specs for the model XII begin at 45 Hz while the Xa reaches down to 30 Hz, and your woofer shows a 1971 date.

Rectilinear's acoustic suspension models (Xa, Mini-III) were rated at 4 ohms nominal, while the bass reflex models (III, XII, XI) were all rated for 8 ohms. The brown fabric is original, but Rectilinear did offer the off-white grille cloth in some subsequent production runs for some of their speaker models.

Edit: adding a little more info.

 

[Freds.Bands]

This is a Rectilinear X or Xa. The woofer surround is rubber or foam. I have a post series in DIY that describes these "fast" speakers. Same enclosure dimensions but acoustic suspension, while the XII is ported.

ra.ra is correct.

Just noticed that the woofer is not the Jensen (222) I've seen before, but may have been made by CTS (137). Hmmm. That's a new one, as the Jensens were a one-off design just for this speaker. But now....

 

[ra.ra]

Yep, I've seen FB's thread on his Xa's. This model is not very common, and it is difficult to find specific info on differences between the X and Xa.

 

[CreamSupreme]

Yep, I've seen FB's thread on his Xa's. This model is not very common, and it is difficult to find specific info on differences between the X and Xa.

So these are mose likely the Xa's then?

Also, thanks for the help everybody!

 

[Freds.Bands]

I believe the Xa's had the serial (series) crossovers and the X had the conventional (parallel) ones, at least according to Rectilinear's advs (see my threads). Not sure you can tell externally except for maybe the serial numbers.

 

[ra.ra]

to FB: I looked thru your Rect XA thread and could not find what I was looking for - - - please explain this "serial crossover". Huh?

 

[Freds.Bands]

In that DIY thread, I posted the schematic of the series crossover for the Xa. As far as I know, there is no other sketch available online. I sketched it in a way you could see the three different sections connected in series. I also posted Rect's advs where they explained the difference. If you need more, I will try to explain in some detail.

 

[ra.ra]

We like old threads that get drudged up. I don't think that oddball 3rd speaker is an Xa, though, since it appears smaller than the matching pair of cabinets and it only has one control on the back, meaning it probably does not have the whizzer mid driver. Maybe it is one of the XI model speakers? It would be a shame to disrupt the intact pair of XII's just to salvage one of the Phillips mids. With a little patience, they can be found for purchase separately to complete your friend's Highboys.

Take the grilles off (carefully), show us more.

 

[Leben]

Sorry to drudge up an old thread however I recently picked up a pair of Rect XII and a single Xa for a friend of mine who needed a single whizzer cone for his restoration of his Highboy III. I think I paid $50.00 for them.
I was pleasantly surprised how nice sounding the XII are... Should I find either the XII or Highboy III on the used locally, I'd grab them.

I agree with your assessment. I owned a pair of XIIs and found them to be every bit as good as the Highboys in a smaller sized room. I've been acquiring quite a few speakers this year so I decided to let someone else enjoy them. Good buy!