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RTR 280DR speakers (couple questions)

M

markmark

Active Member
Hello again all...
I've just picked up a pair of RTR 280DR speakers. (I think). These beasts sound fantastic and I want to get them looking better.

1. The id label on the back of one speaker looks to be a decal. (280DR). The decal is missing on the other speaker and the id label says 180D. Is this normal?

2. The base/bottom piece is particle board and turning to dust. Any suggestions about replacements? Thicker, wider base or taller posts maybe?

3. Looks like insulation packed between the down firing woofer and the base. Reason for this?

4. There are big screws attaching the tri-fold grills to the cabinets. Was this normal or a no velcro diy repair?

Thanks,
Mark
 

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Looks like the sticker just came off and that's what was underneath it. Most likely those cabinets were used for a couple of different models and the sticker was added on to differentiate them. Seems like the 180D had a single woofer and tweeter per cabinet but I could be wrong.

As far as the bottom particle board piece, can you post more pictures of the bottom? Is that a piece that could just be broken away and a new one installed in place of it? Maybe there's a picture out there on the 'net that shows what they look like with the stock bases....or someone will chime in. Velcro was what was/is used on holding down the "dual fold" grills on mine Model II F's.

Should sound pretty darn good with those phenolic dome tweeters and probably a simple crossover network to recap if they're anything like the big RtR's I have. Nice find.
 
Only way is to take both of the grill cloths off and check driver configuaration, I know the 180's had less drivers and didn't have the piezo tweeter like in the 280's.

That foam insulation on the bottom woofer is normal and was part of the design, I thought the same thing when I had mine, thinking maybe someone had added it for some reason.

My grills were also nailed on so I assume that is stock.

I'm sure you could fashion something up easily for the bases using some cheap wood.
 
I plan on using velcro for the grills. And better wood on the bottom.
What's the reason for the insulation on the down firing woofer? (I'll add more pics soon)
 
I have a pair of RTR 280DR currently on loan to the kids--they were just too large for the modest cape we moved into a decade ago.

Mine have a piezo tweeter on the top front. Grills held on by small brads which held well enough, but might fatigue with time, so large nails or screws would be prior owners fix-up. The fiberglass over the slot loaded woofer at the bottom is standard and may be to keep crud away and/or filter out any higher freqs.

Bought mine in 1974. IIRC, the ad copy spoke of the bottom woofer as "slot coupled to the floor and driven through a reverse phase bridge" for maximum coupling to the room.

Enjoy 'em!

Cheers, Jim
 
The 180d's had one front firing 10" mid/woofer and one bottom 10" woofer each. The 280dr's had four total. Three mid/woofs and one woofer. The bottom 10 is designed for a lower frequency range than the other 10's. It seems to have a slightly softer spider. The insulation disc on the bottom applys a slight preload to the woofer. Enjoy!!
 
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