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Speaker Help Request: Snell K/II

baco99

baco99

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hello!

I am working on a set of Snell K/II speakers that used the 4 ohm Peerless woofers (831876 model number on the back of the driver). As far as I can tell, every other variant of the K or K/II used an 8 ohm Vifa M21WG0x08 woofer.

I am looking for help in understanding what, if any, changes need to be made to my crossovers to get the Vifa woofer to work. OR, I am looking for T/S measurements of the Peerless woofer so I can find a suitable replacement.

Also note, the recessed opening for the Peerless version is 210mm, and the Vifa woofer is 215mm wide. So even if I used the Vifa woofer, I'd have to modify the cabinet. Would like to avoid this, so measurements for the Peerless would be preferred.

THANKS!
 
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baco99 said:
They are both blown.
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So then you're having trouble finding a suitable replacement? Where have you looked for a matching replacement driver as of yet? Have you contacted Tymphany for info yet?
 
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darkblue94 said:
So then you're having trouble finding a suitable replacement? Where have you looked for a matching replacement driver as of yet?
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Everywhere - eBay, Misco, Madisound, Parts Express, Meniscus, etc...

If I had the T/S specs for the Peerless driver, this would be a lot easier.
 
darkblue94 said:
Only likely place to find the T/S specs would be if Tymphany or Snell had it in their archives.
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Snell's out of business. I could try Tymphany, but since these were made by Peerless in the 1980s or 1990s, I imagine their archives won't be of much use. But worth a try.

In any case, 99% of the time AK is a better resource than OEM. So I figured I'd start here.
 
darkblue94 said:
Only likely place to find the T/S specs would be if Tymphany or Snell had it in their archives.
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FWIW, the only three OEMs I have ever had any luck with in obtaining legacy information have been KEF and Phase Technology. Pretty much any other will send you packing. Eminence has been especially unhelpful in the past.
 
When it comes to Tymphany and Peerless, only the name on the letterhead has changed. Same building, same people.
I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find information on old speaker bits, I was trying to help in whatever small way I could.
 
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Thanks - I have done both of the above suggestions.

That said, AK is still my most reliable source for info. If anyone has a set of K/II- Peerless, I'd love to see the specs.

THANKS!
 
CKDC said:
I know suggestions away from your initial intent are irritating but here I go:

Do you know about Atomic Hifi?


https://www.atomichifiandtv.com/snell-acoustics.html

They probably only have the Vifa in stock but might be worth checking with them about your issue.

Good luck!
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Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the advice. I've been down this road before tho. I'll also try Atomic Hi Fi. Thanks!



I should add, NHT is incredibly helpful at sourcing replacements and specs.
Add them to the good guys list.
 
OK, here's some information on the crossovers.
It looks like this is a pretty standard 2nd order Butterworth crossover. The specs online call it a 3rd order network, I don't see that circuit here. And the drivers are installed electrically in phase with one another.

Also, even though the Vifa tweeter is rated at 6 ohm nominal, it must behave more like a 4 ohm driver across its operating range because that's the only way I can justify these values at a crossover point of 2.7kHz. It looks like the woofer is a Linkwitz Riley with a very steep drop at the crossover point (12dB). So perhaps these exaggerated values make the system (with drivers loaded) behave like a 3rd order network.

If I were to install an 8 ohm woofer in place of the 4 ohm Peerless, I would look at doubling the inductor value and halving the capacitor controlling the slope.

if anyone with a set of 8 ohm Ks can confirm this, that would be great.

Thanks!

32058399624_76c34068c2_b.jpg
 
UPDATE!

Apparently the early version Boston Acoustics A60 drivers are a fit for this style Snell K/II. They are 4 ohm, 8" frame, designed for a compact sealed box and a high Qts. The first version of the Ks used a 4 ohm driver sourced from Boston Acoustics before switching to Vifa and then to Peerless. Although maybe not a 100% perfect match, the Boston A60-4 ohm is the closest match that won't break the bank and new replacements are being sold by Midwest Speaker.

Carry on!
 
I put the A60 woofers in, and MAN these speakers sound great. I think the sensitivity might be a little down compared to the Peerless driver, but a quick adjustment of about 2 ohm on the rear tweeter attenuator and the balance is there. These are really a very capable speaker.
 
For what it's worth, I had a second set of empty Snell K cabs sitting around (don't ask).

Picked up a few crossovers on eBay to see if there were more variations to the design depending on different years/iterations. And yes, out of the 3 pair of K crossovers I've seen and measured, all three have variations, and there are variations from each of the individuals inside a pair.

I'll post values later, but it's almost like Snell randomly picked values based on what part she they had lying around the office
 
baco99 said:
Morel! Sorry
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Interesting read, I'm recapping my Snell K ii and I'm a little surprised by the values of original caps and the lack of a cap in the woofer circuit.
Question: Were your K ii also very heavily stuffed with white poly stuffing rolled up into a tube and then u-shaped?
Thanks baco!!!
 
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