Sansui SP-3500 - An AK'er Gift and Restoration Project

[Copa1934]

Not to hijack...

Nothing against the Mach I or II's, but I'm thinking these Sansui's have the edge image wise.
Personally I think the Mach's would have been served better with a good 12" woofer in that size enclosure.
A selling point, the 15" for sure-but I always had a issue with the mid bass bump the Mach I seemed to have which usually indicates a woofer in tooo small of enclosure, among other things.
Maybe why they vented the enclosure on the second model-to help smooth out the impedance-never heard one of those.
Part of this may well have been the Realistic receivers they were hooked up to, as they seemed to have a bit of a overly warm character to them
Matters of taste.
HT probably wouldn't be so much of a issue.

Thinking about putting 5b woofers (same as 8b) in Mach One enclosures. According to box calculator I used the Mach One cabinet is just about ideal volume wise, larger than the 5b/8b cabs. Might even go ahead with the same mid and tweeter, but likely modified network since the 12" will likely allow for the higher frequency range.

Can't wait to hear what differences DrBiggles experiences with the recap.

 

[AlTinkster92]

427, Your a good guy to help out a fellow AKer! By the way, back in 71 I came home from Nam and picked up a 66 GTA, red on red with power steering, A/C and absolutely loved that car. Had a ton of fun with it the last couple months at Ft Sill OK. Happy New Year!

 

[drbiggles]

I have lumber:thmbsp:to bad we didn't think of this. Well I mentioned it but didn't know what you would be doing.

Don't you want to flip them. Get some money lol?

Understood on the edge repair, will do. Flip them? I do "want" to. But I don't know if I will be "able".

Lacquer on sides too? Dang, don't look like much of a finish is on there.

And, I'll start with the bottoms and get my process down before I mess with the tops.

Everyone is finally up! I need to do some dishes and get the kitchen ready so my wife can make some fancy lemon meringue cupcakes for us to eat. Then it is to the living room for Fun with Speakers!

Biggles

 

[4-2-7]

427, Your a good guy to help out a fellow AKer! By the way, back in 71 I came home from Nam and picked up a 66 GTA, red on red with power steering, A/C and absolutely loved that car. Had a ton of fun with it the last couple months at Ft Sill OK. Happy New Year!

I should say so out of Nam and into a American muscle car.:thmbsp:

Here is mine so you can get all nostalgic lol
I can delete later so not to tread crap.

1966 GT Fairlane. 427ci, 4speed Top loader, 9" Rear 31 spline axles 350 posi.

 

[Copa1934]

No way...

Understood on the edge repair, will do. Flip them? I do "want" to. But I don't know if I will be "able".

Lacquer on sides too? Dang, don't look like much of a finish is on there.

And, I'll start with the bottoms and get my process down before I mess with the tops.

Everyone is finally up! I need to do some dishes and get the kitchen ready so my wife can make some fancy lemon meringue cupcakes for us to eat. Then it is to the living room for Fun with Speakers!

Biggles

Lemon Meringue is my favorite PIE, Cupcakes? Wow that sounds tasty.

 

[Copa1934]

427 that is a beautiful auto!

 

[4-2-7]

427 that is a beautiful auto!

Thanks:thmbsp:

 

[drbiggles]

427 that is a beautiful auto!

And a stunning Manual, to be sure!

xo, Biggles

 

[automojo]

I like your guys thinking on mods-Mach's included!
I would also look at modern woofer equivalents, as you can gain alot in lower bass distortion and extension, as well as output. The low inductance of modern woofers is a plus IMHO.
Sometimes it may be a few hits and miss's, but IMHO it will be worth the effort if you do your homework.
I can't tell how much better my modded ESS AMT3's sound with a modern, low distortion, uncolored woofer, and midbass driver. Along with a few cab mods as well, and crossover upgrades.
You might also want to look at crossover mods. Low inductance bass air coil inductors can make a audible difference, especially in the bass/midbass.
Lower ESR caps, etc.
Usually the differences are small, but along with other mods they can make a nice improvement.
A lot of these vintage speakers IMHO provide a solid basic foundation for a awesome "modern" speaker, that can really hold it's own with the newer high end offerings, with just a bit up modern up to date thinking.
12" woofers can easily outperform 15" woofers, and go deep, even if both are in ideal boxes.
Some 15" woofers go up surprisingly high as well, and some 12" are more subs-there higher ends ragged.
Specs are important when upgrading drivers-you may have to adjust your crossover points.
However, I would try to find modern drivers -if possible that fit the basic crossover points, unless of course you are starting with a empty box.

 

[drbiggles]

I like your guys thinking on mods-Mach's included!
I would also look at modern woofer equivalents, as you can gain alot in lower bass distortion and extension, as well as output. The low inductance of modern woofers is a plus IMHO.
Sometimes it may be a few hits and miss's, but IMHO it will be worth the effort if you do your homework.
I can't tell how much better my modded ESS AMT3's sound with a modern, low distortion, uncolored woofer, and midbass driver. Along with a few cab mods as well.
You might also want to look at crossover mods. Low inductance bass air coil inductors can make a audible difference, especially in the bass/midbass.
Lower ESR caps, etc.
Usually the differences are small, but along with other mods they can make a nice improvement.

I would love to do such things. The 3500's or a pair that crosses my path in the future. But that's not something I'm capable of doing at the moment. I can do what I'm told, that I can do. But anything other than that? I'm lost.

I do have a pair of JBL L26's in the garage that need woofers though ...

Biggles

 

[cubdog]

I too own a pair of 3500s. Seems as if we all do. Mine were a given to me by AK member Brainsmasher. Unfortunately they were damaged when we moved to Illinois from Denver. I may have to bring them up for a listen and determine if they are worth a restoration.

cubdog

 

[doctorolds]

You know the thread that someone had a way of softening the surround with MEK?

I think that would help woofers. The only thing is they let it dry in one position and it harden again.

What if?

Soften the goopy stuff and keep a signal to it for a long period of time. Even mounted woofers can get an application of MEK and then just play the stereo. After a while more flex would be gained at zero cost.

First off, that was very generous of you 4-2-7, to gift those Sansui's to drbiggles.

I have recently finished a set of SP-2000's and I think the woofer is very stiff. Visually, it appears to be cloth covered with some type of material to seal it. I was wondering if treating it with the sealant made for the AR and KLH woofers sold by vintage-ar on eBay might be worth trying. I have never seen or heard a pair when new, but I would assume that the surround should be more flexible. Any thoughts on this?

 

[SoundOfSound]

I'm confused:scratch2:. Since if been here all I've ever heard is people bash 'Sui speakers.:thumbsdn: But now people like them? We humans are a weird bunch. BTW, I own a pair of 1500's and like them. I must be kookoo:screwy:

I had a pair of Sansui SP-X 7900s and I liked them. I must be kookoo tootoo. ara:

The Technics SH-8500 and Sansui SP-X 7900, a winning combination. There I said it, make more room in the looney bin!

 

[sp-3500bob]

Very awsome score, I just finished re-capping and a thread for my SP-3500's a couple weeks ago and am loving them.
They can fill a room up with just a little help in the bottom end :thmbsp:

 

[onwardjames]

Biggles, I was gonna suggest recapping. Those old electrolytic caps are certainly hindering better sound at their age. Looks like it would be very easy, with such a tidy crossover layout.

I gave my sister a MINTY set of SP-2500's, and regret it to this day. My nephew wasn't content to just push in the dustcaps. He completely ripped the entire midranges out, destroyed the veneer with what seems to be a screwdriver, and generally destroyed any hope for them.

Sickens me to this day.

 

[Copa1934]

Biggles, I was gonna suggest recapping. Those old electrolytic caps are certainly hindering better sound at their age. Looks like it would be very easy, with such a tidy crossover layout.

I gave my sister a MINTY set of SP-2500's, and regret it to this day. My nephew wasn't content to just push in the dustcaps. He completely ripped the entire midranges out, destroyed the veneer with what seems to be a screwdriver, and generally destroyed any hope for them.

Sickens me to this day.

Sounds like our son, when he was a toddler. Managed to get a hold of a knife and attacked one of my Celestion DL-10 speakers. Damaged the tweeter, mid and woofer. Took me several years to get replacement drivers. There are numerous marks in the baffle that I'll never be able to correct.

 

[drbiggles]

A recap of these is going to be breeze. But for today, I need to do things to them that I can do for free. We've done our listening to them, it's time now to drag one out to the garage and disassemble the sucker. Get to strippin'!

On another note, just replied to an ad for free Tannoy speakers. 34" tall, dual woofers and look to be from the 90's. The ad was 13 minutes old, so I may have missed them. But I had to try!

Biggles

 

[onwardjames]

Free tannoys??

Jesus, I gotta get out of Ky.

 

[drbiggles]

Free tannoys??

Jesus, I gotta get out of Ky.

I know, right. The ad is still up, now 33 minutes old. I wonder how many emails this person has received so far? I left my phone number too. Said I'd leave immediately and come get them. Cross yer fangers!

Biggles

 

[drbiggles]

Very awsome score, I just finished re-capping and a thread for my SP-3500's a couple weeks ago and am loving them.
They can fill a room up with just a little help in the bottom end :thmbsp:

Sheeyuh, just noticed your thread roll by. We're killin' today.

xo, Biggles