Replacement Speaker for GE Console

[ringading]

I finished recapping the amps on a GE Tube Console and wouldn't you know it, one of the woofers is dead. I pulled it and tested it with DMM and got nada. The left side sounds great with all speakers firing and you almost can't tell the right side is dead if you aren't standing in front of it.

Picture of the dear departed are attached. Per the SAMS specs it is a 12" woofer 6-8ohms GE Part # EA95X8 or EA95X5. The console is a GE 1350A or 1354A (I thinks its Mahogany not Cherry)

It is part of a three way open baffle system as it is paired with a 5.5" 6-8ohm mid and 3.5" 3-4ohm tweeter.

Can anyone suggest a replacement? I haven't been able to find any other info on these speakers.

Thanks!

 

[johnda]

I would probably look for a 12" 8 ohm woofer from a Parts Express and get two. Replace both woofers to help the sound match. Just a suggestion. Let us know how you do, and show us some pictures.

 

[frankxbe]

Parts express has these vary similar spec. I would probably lean towards the Goldwin it's cheaper also.
Goldwood GW-212/8 12" OEM Woofer 8 Ohm
Dayton Audio DC300-8 12" Classic Wooferi



EDIT maybe too much money nice though 2 of the vintage style 25 watt (50w music power) Jensen P12R Alnico if I really liked the console (LOTS) and were keeping it. The Jensen P12R is 95 dB SPL @ 1w/1m probably more like what is in there the Dayton and Goldwind are 90dB SPL @1w/1m @ and max ~120 watts and might not work near a well as the Jensen in the G.E,

 

[ringading]

Here are some pics. Tuner and turntable work - turntable needs a little work as its set down isn't correct. Note the mid speaker nested in front of the woofer - you can see the mid in the right enclosure since I pulled that woofer.

Added a pic of the amplifier. This unit has a reverb amplifier as well. I replaced the caps on that and will probably replace the cans on the main amp as well - some hard to find values though.

This one has the little vacuum as well that is attached to a hose that runs up inside the tonearm. It works after I blew out about a pound of dust but I am not sure I will keep it.

I think I will get the Goldwood woofers. Does it make much of a difference that the replacements are made for an enclosure and this one is an open baffle?

 

[cablephil212]

Before you buy ANY replacement, make sure you contact the vender with measurements on the height of the mid. The last thing you need is to get the replacement woofer, and find out the magnet on the mid is hitting the woofer cone.

Looking at your last pic, it looks like that's a deep formed cone. The Goldwood might not work. Worth a phone call before you order.

Good Luck with the search. It might be a tough one. I hope not.

 

[frankxbe]

Yousa ^^^^^ what he said ,

I think the Goldwin going to be a little shallow for that come to think of it that
orig woofer looks pretty deep Jensen P12r might work specs are there and also woofers for open back are a different Thiel parameters than ones for enclosures might have to eliminate the mid and just run something like the Goldwin or Jensen P 12R

 

[ringading]

Good point cablephil212 I didn't think about that. I measured the depth of the current woofers and it is about 3.125". What if I added some spacers around the rim of the woofer to add some depth if I needed to? I am thinking an o-ring/gasket type of setup.

I am not sure if I want to keep this unit but don't have tons of scratch to pump into it. I would like to see if the Goldwoods could work, especially if I can offset them a bit with some gaskets.

 

[orthophonic]

I have seen those Ge woofers on Ebay from time to time

 

[cablephil212]

Well, first of all, the woofers are manufactured by (the EIA code) Magnavox. That's based on the 232 code.

As far as "shimming" out the woofer, I don't see a problem in using a 3/4" ring (or 2) of MDF to give you the clearance needed. I doubt it'll make a diff in sound either.

When you measured the original woofer depth, you put something flat across the woofer gasket, and measured down to the dustcap, right?

And also remember, those old drivers had pleated surrounds, and had very little cone travel. Give yourself some "extra" with the new woofer, since they'll have foam or rubber surrounds.

The Goldwood has a high enough Q, so it should work well in an (basically open back) enclosure like yours. The only thing that bothers me is the low 87db output.

If you really don't want to spend a lot on the replacement, try this one: http://www.parts-express.com/grs-12pf-8-12-paper-cone-foam-surround-woofer--292-412. Basically the same as the Goldwood, but cheaper.

You could always push in the dustcap for clearance.

It's up to you which driver you get. Post back, and let us know how it works out.

Good Luck. Have Fun with the project.

 

[ringading]

Thanks for all your help guys.

Yes that is exactly how I measured the clearance. I thought it would be better than trying to measure and find something to fit the height of the mid - I wanted to try and find something closer to the spec of the original woofer.

I have been peeking at Ebay for the past couple of weeks. What do you thing about these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131260864707?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

or these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231298963722?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

The second pair look pretty similar and look deep enough as well.

 

[cablephil212]

Either one would be a better choice than what has been listed, including my suggestions. Either would be a closer match to what was in your unit.

I never liked the cones that were "joined with a seam", but that's just me. A weak spot?

If you can get the Zenith drivers, that would be my pick. It looks like the magnet is bigger than the Carbonneau.

Again, it's up to you.

Good Luck if you go that way.

 

[ringading]

I went ahead and grabbed the Zenith pair.

I figured these would be closer to the original specs than anything new as they have the same pleated surrounds and they look like they should be plenty deep so I don't have to mess with shimming.

I will follow up with pics when they are snug at home in the console!

Thanks

 

[cablephil212]

Nice. I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with the choice. ALNICo's are always more efficient than any other magnet on a driver.

They should match up well with the rest of the drivers.

Have you thought about replacing the old caps in the x-over? Even RadioShack NPE's should be an improvement.

After you get everything back together, post back and let's here what you think.

Have Fun.

 

[ringading]

Success! Replaced the bad woofer and the unit is up and singing - sort of. Turntable needs a new cartridge - it is wired with one of the sonotone 3 wire ones. Need to figure out how to wire in a 4 pin cartridge in its place. Gary at VOM suggested one and said you had to solder in the holder - sounds like it might make any alignment impossible.