Snell Model A II

[Super Noob]

Need another set of speakers like I need a hole in my head - but whatever.

If I don't keep, my buddy is ready to take them. Have been setting for awhile - didn't even test the lower bass modules as the seller says they are not right. Maybe a refoam or recone - either way, I will get them going.

Tell me what you think. Was hoping they would be A III, but no dice.

Crossover looks like someone has been in there....

 

[930turbo]

If you choose to get them you need a muscular amp to drive them 86 dB sensitivity . 4 ohms , quite hard to drive . Great midrange , fantastic bass , nice highs . Drove mine w/ Phase Linear Mod 700C , but it sounded best w/ a pair ARC D79B’s w/ ARC EC21 electronic tube crossover network .

 

[Super Noob]

930... I’ve got them. Have a few amps and a pile of receivers.

CA-2010
Citation 16A
AU-717

We will see... maybe thin the receiver herd and get some separates. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[trinhsman]

If you got them cheap enough, new woofers from Atomic HiFi.

 

[Super Noob]

If you got them cheap enough, new woofers from Atomic HiFi.

Price was right.... need to disassemble and check out the drivers.

Maybe I will be lucky enough that they will just need a refoam. More to come.

 

[Super Noob]

The woofer foam is gone... woofers look very similar and old / original. Thinking the white cone one is original and other look like a 30+ old replacement.

The crossover in the woofer cabinet looks to be 16 uF Calrad non-polars (50v).

Plenty of chambers and reinforcement. Not a big fan of 35+ year old electolytics. Thinking about replacements. Your suggestions?

Pull the tops apart... sweet mother of god, there are over 20 electros up there on the upper crossover. Looks like a combination of 16 uF and some 4 uF. I could do these too... but might get expensive. For now I think I will focus on new foam. This network might be a bit more complex for the possibility of bi-amp option for these speakers.

 

[swechsler]

Would there be a reason for them using multiple small caps in parallel instead of a single large one?

 

[spark1]

I think you will find small crossover differences from speaker to speaker in the older Snells, produced when they were still tuning their crossovers so that each one sounded the same as their reference model. This was certainly the case with my Snell Js. Paralleling the caps allows for small variations.

EDIT: While there are disagreements, as always, it is my opinion that if you plan to recap Snell speakers, replace electrolytics with electrolytics and films with films..with the intent of maintaining similar net resistance.

As for "how did I do"...the A series are impressive. But as noted above, you will need an amp not just capable of handling a 4 ohm load, but very good at doing so. And their relatively low sensitivity demands an amp capable of serious power output.

 

[mcgjohn]

congrats. The big Snells are nice, but need a TON of power. I had the AIIs, then sold them for the AIII's then sent the AIIIs back to get the i upgrade.

the last two pairs I drove with a a quad set of JC-1s, plenty of juice and they really came to life with all that power. Especially on any big orchestral works, big rock and roll, or big band orchestras....that is where they really showed their stuff.

If I recall correctly, the woofer was specially sourced by Snell. the mechanical properties are important in that foam surround, so would investigate that a bit before slapping any old surround on those woofers.

all those lytic caps in the cross over may want to replace or at least bypass with some film caps.

 

[spark1]

Yes the proper surrounds are indeed important for optimal performance of those woofers.

EDIT

Minimally, I would use good, higher compliance "Boston-style" surrounds if you can find them to fit...rcobb@tampabay.rr.com is an excellent supplier, and may be able to help.

Alternatively Audio Note can provide true replacements, but at a steep price. Also, try the Snell users site for recommendations.

 

[Super Noob]

Some progress.

Followed the same process as original... bipolar crossover lytics multiple in series. The bass crossovers had 5 x 16uF in parallel... I went with 3 x 15uF + 2 x 17uF. Replaced broken fuse holder on one.

More work to follow next weekend.

 

[ivandezande]

Some progress.

Followed the same process as original... bipolar crossover lytics multiple in series. The bass crossovers had 5 x 16uF in parallel... I went with 3 x 15uF + 2 x 17uF. Replaced broken fuse holder on one.

More work to follow next weekend.

I just got a pair this weekend and wondering if you finished the restore and if you have any tips or hints.

 

[crispycircuit]

Beautiful... Thx for the pics

 

[Super Noob]

Issac… I recapped the internal crossover, refoamed, and recapped accompanying active snell crossover. Pretty straight forward. They are big speakers as you know. Ran them both ways with internal crossover and bi-amped with active crossover. Sounded good both ways. They like lots of clean power.

Best of luck my friend.

 

[ivandezande]

Issac… I recapped the internal crossover, refoamed, and recapped accompanying active snell crossover. Pretty straight forward. They are big speakers as you know. Ran them both ways with internal crossover and bi-amped with active crossover. Sounded good both ways. They like lots of clean power.

Best of luck my friend.

Cool, thanks!
I refoamed the woofers and listening now.
Don’t have the EQ which is a bummer but oh well. Debating about recapping, getting to the upper one looks like a huge PIA.

 

[ivandezande]

Cool, thanks!
I refoamed the woofers and listening now.
Don’t have the EQ which is a bummer but oh well. Debating about recapping, getting to the upper one looks like a huge PIA.

Did it. Miscounted so had to use a film or two.