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Substitute for Sony SS-M3 midbass for a clone?

PaperBoy007

PaperBoy007

Hanging out at the 49th
Subscriber
As some of you may know from the Sony SS-M 3,7,9 speaker owner role (roll) call thread I recently bought a nice pair of Sony SS-M3 speakers and really think they are keepers. So much so that I want to build a clone of an orphan I already had. I have posted in the orphan speaker bingo to see if there is a single out there that would like to join mine to make a pair. I haven't had any replies so I have been gathering parts to try and make a clone using my meager woodworking skills so my orphan has a twin.

So far, I have a tweeter that has some damage, but I think even I can get working again with a little soldering work. If not, similar 4 ohm Peerless tweets are plentiful out there and I don't think finding a similar pair would be much work. I also purchased SS-M3 crossovers for the midbass and for the tweeter from the auction site, so that's sorted. What I don't have is the midbass driver, which is basically a 6-1/2" driver with a butyl rubber surround and RMS max of 120 watts. The fact that 70s Rockfan built clones of the SS-M7s, which look beautiful by the way, and that RedSquare is working on a pair of SS-M3 clones, got me thinking I could tackle a similar project.

So, I've been looking for a suitable pair of 6.5" drivers. I've been driving myself nuts looking at the offerings from Parts Express and Madisound -- especially Peerless brand as they manufactured the originals for Sony. Also looked at Daytons. Some seem close, for not too much money. I haven't even started building the partner to my orphan. I wish I could just buy one 6.5" midbass, but believe it would be best to buy two so they are identical and keep the midbass from my orphan as back up. I've also been looking at the used market on eBay for 6.5" rubber surround midbass drivers from other quality speakers from other manufactures that may just work, but I'm just not sure what might be best. I know there have to be better components out there, but still want to keep the clone (and it's orphaned twin) as close to original as I can.

I use my current pair of SS-M3 with a Sony 2-channel STR-GX10ES for my audio setup with other ES gear including a PS-X555ES turntable and I am really enjoying them. I'd like to incorporate a second set into a HT set up I think.

What are your suggestions for 6.5" midbass, preferably with black cones and the rubber surrounds like the originals. Getting something with inverted dust caps is probably asking for the moon. Anyway, coming close to the specs that will work well with the OEM crossovers of the originals is my first choice. A reasonable cost upgrade driver that works with the crossovers would be second. Any other brands of speakers where the parts like used 6.5" drivers aren't unobtainable would be considered as well.

I look forward to hearing from those who know a lot more than I do about such things.

My-Sony-SS-M3-Orphan.jpg

The orphan, needs a refresh to the veneer or new veneer when I get the clone finished.

Mid-Bass-part-number.jpg

The part number for the driver for which I need a copy or two similar substitutes
 
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Without knowing the T/S parameters of the woofer, it'll be a crap-shoot finding something suitable. Your best bet might be to search with Search Tempest or HIFI Shark, and find a beater pair of SS-M3's.

I guess the next best thing might be a new Peerless woofer. Or, go cheap 'n cheerful, and try a Newark/MCM woofer. The only other suggestion that I can make, is get a true custom woofer through Misco. You can buy off the shelf, or Misco can custom manufacture what you need.

Luck!
 
Thanks for the suggestions :)

Here's what I sent to Parts Express and they wanted more info.

Driver:
- Mineral-filled polypropylene woofer and midrange cones for optimized stiffness, extremely low distortion, extremely linear response.
- Butyl rubber woofer and midrange surrounds for high compliance and high internal damping.
- Computer-optimized theile/smallparameters for deep bass extension and superb bass transient response.
- Extended woofer voice coil with increased overhang for high power handling, lower distortion during demanding musical peaks.
- Aluminum voice coil formers in the woofer has a large diameter, uses high-temperature wire for high power handling.
- Pro-flux demodulation rings in the woofer cancel harmonic distortion that arises from inductive coupling between voice coil and magnetic field.

System Components 2 speakers

Amplification Type passive

Crossover Channel Qty 2-way

Max (RMS) Output Power 120 Watt

-3dB Frequency Response 70 Hz

Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm

Sensitivity 85 dB

Crossover Frequency 2000Hz
 
Thanks for your help. I have my eye on a few possible substitutes on the auction site. There is a Dayton Audio driver that might work within the parameters I need, as well. Meanwhile, I'll see what else people might suggest. Parts Express said they needed things like outer dimensions of the hole, as well as the inner diameter to allow the driver to fit and I have sent those. It seems like most of the new Peerless drivers in the 6.5" range have six mounting holes instead of four. That would be fine for the clone, but not willing to drill new holes in the OEM orphan. Of course I could match up holes and drill them in the new driver frame, but I'd like to avoid that.
 
I think I would build a pair of clones and leave the original alone. /QUOTE]
Click to expand...

If I do anything to the one original, it will be to change the mid-bass so it matches with the clone. Building two clones still gives me a single orphan. Looking to save on some cost and work. If I ever run across an original mid-bass to put in the clone, I will just put the OEM mid-bass I took out back in and use the parts one I locate, if that ever happens, in to the clone. Not going to do anything to the OEM that is not reversible.
 
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Pete B said:
The woofer that you're looking for is a Peerless 831937 probably from their very old CC line.
This looks similar but your should try to get the T&S parameters from the old one and match
them as best as you can:
https://www.parts-express.com/peerl...MI-t_BpOvw5AIVz8DACh23xQKnEAQYASABEgK51vD_BwE
Is the box sealed?
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response
The new Peerless you linked to is close, but really looking at vintage because the frames are usually round (so looks original) and have the four holes that my Sony has. Of course that doesn't guarantee the bolts will line up.

Also missed the part about, "Is this box sealed? Answer is yes, sealed, not ported.
 
Thought I'd not leave this hanging. Instead of building a clone, I bought a pair for two-channel listening and then another pair. Now I use them in a home theater with the original orphan as my center channel. Using a Yamaha RX-V861 for the amp. And, then I bought a pair of the SS-M7s to replace the M3s in my two channel system with my STR-GX10ES. I'm a happy camper. Maybe I'll go Sony on the home theater amp someday to stay all ES, but who knows.
 
It does sound really nice. I bought the mic that originally came with the Yamaha, but my late uncle must have misplaced. It made set up a breeze. Just plug it in and let the amp do the work at setting the speakers for the room. Seems to work much better than my old Sony ES pre/pro TA-E1000ESD and three separate power amps. Takes up a lot less room too. Here's the new-to-me AV amp w/ my orphan M3 Center speaker and one of my new-to-me Sony SS-M7s that I use for two-channel music listening thru my STR-GX10ES amp. Loving life. Hopefully I can stop spending money for awhile now and just enjoy what I have. The other four M3s are in the corners of the room.

Yamaha RX-V861.jpg
 
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