The Celestion Owners Thread

[Lavane]

Sorry Granite and Lavane, my only experience with Celestions is the lone Ditton 130 I posted about here a few months ago.

FWIW, while there aren't listings of the 442s or the 250s on HiFiEngine, there are some catalogs there that have a little info on the Ditton 250s. The one listed on this page (https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/celestion/ditton.shtml) shows some Ditton 250 Series II that look like what Lavane posted above (e.g., tweeter with ribbed faceplate, no mesh guard, and only the word "Ditton" on the tweeter, not the model number), and has basic specs, tweeter version, etc.

Thanks, it does look like I have the series ll's. Still, the cabinet construction
is pretty nice. Internal bracing, plenty of fiber fill and not just a cup over the midrange, but a sealed chamber from the midrange to the back of the cabinet and a decent crossover.

 

[Granite]

Thanks northpaw for the link..not specific to my Ditton 442's but definitely some bookshelf beauties..I'm sure Lavane will find it helpful..ttyl

 

[northpaw]

I too wish there was more info out there on the various models. Celestion Ditton does seem to have been a class act, and have stood the test of time well. Good luck on getting your binding posts and crossovers sorted.

 

[Lavane]

Sorry Granite and Lavane, my only experience with Celestions is the lone Ditton 130 I posted about here a few months ago.

FWIW, while there aren't listings of the 442s or the 250s on HiFiEngine, there are some catalogs there that have a little info on the Ditton 250s. The one listed on this page (https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/celestion/ditton.shtml) shows some Ditton 250 Series II that look like what Lavane posted above (e.g., tweeter with ribbed faceplate, no mesh guard, and only the word "Ditton" on the tweeter, not the model number), and has basic specs, tweeter version, etc.

It's a bin file. I can't open it. It seems more manuals lately are showing up as a bin file on hifiengine.

 

[northpaw]

It came up as a pdf for me. And when on that page, if I hover the cursor over the link for the catalog, it indicates a file name with the .pdf extension.

I suspect that either there was a problem with the download (interrupted, corrupted, etc.) or for some reason your computer is mis-assigning the .bin extension. I only work on a Mac, and in cases where I had a file download with an inappropriate extension (rare), but it had the right file size, I was able to simply manually rename the file using the appropriate extension, and then the computer recognized the file and was able to open it. You might try that, if your bin file is about 6.5 Mb, which is the size of the pdf file.

In any case, here are the 250-relevant sections from that file (in the photo, the 250 is on the right; with 300 and 240 to the left):

 

[Lavane]

Odd. I was using my Android phone. I don't have problems with other sights. I'll try another device.

 

[Granite]

Mine as well downloaded as a pdf file on my tablet. Of course it's too large to upload here as I tried..I can send it as an email attachment if needed Lavane.

 

[Lavane]

Mine as well downloaded as a pdf file on my tablet. Of course it's too large to upload here as I tried..I can send it as an email attachment if needed Lavane.

Ya, it's my phone. Odd though that anywhere else I can down pdf's with it.

 

[IMF_Pioneer]

I must admit that the British scene has certainly dropped off somewhat, now if you were into Pioneer Receivers you'd have no end of opinions coming out of everyone's backside. So........I to get somewhat frustrated within my own interest field.

I posted some progress above on my SL6 speakers and guess what ?....................no response or interest either, so don't expect any miracles round here nowadays.

Celestion has fallen into Chinese ownership so anything prior to them taking it over they seem show no interest in at all.
When Celestion was at their tail end of British ownership they tried to sell any old stock off before they changed hands. I recall Clive in spare parts telling me this and to buy up anything I could ever want as most of it was to be hitting the scrap heap. The Asians have no interest in history, only now and the future, that's just how they roll. The past is exactly that, done and dusted for them.

Just check out all the action.......................Not........ on the IMF sub-forum which used to have heaps of activity on it. Not now anymore that's for sure.

 

[Granite]

Very interesting insight there..Hey I don't know if you caught the fact that I did email Corporate about those speaker stands that were avaliable as an option..they had no clue what I was talking about. .would you have any info on dimensions or drawings as I have a buddy welder out of work and we could figure out together the original design to whip off a pair or two..anyways thanks for the response IMF_Pioneer.

 

[IMF_Pioneer]

Because you contacted Celestion (Corporate) direct, this is exactly why I responded about how Celestion no longer care about anything previously made by their original company. I only have one set of genuine SL6 series stands and nothing else in the Celestion range on hand. All my other stands are IMF orientated.

 

[ditton works]

Thought i would move this post where it belongs and where it deserves to be answered..i still don't how or where the New Thread button is..oh well..View attachment 1833486
I am at the point in my life with a the proverbial "houseful" of speakers and it is time to start the restoration process on a few pairs..I will no doubt be lugging some of these your way from the Fraser Valley to work on as my skill is very limited..I am in the process of securing a set of minty Celestion Ditton 442 speakers from a gentleman..in the process of auditioning them and moving one of the cabinets I neglected to remove the banana plug and snapped off the positive binding post right where the small hole was drilled for the bare wire to go through..I have found another Gentleman who will sell me the posts and crossovers from his cannibalized 332s. My question of the day is are the 442 and the 332 using the same components in the crossovers?.If so I thought I would practice my soldering skills and recap the crossovers and then test them one out at a time to discern any audible difference (of which I am sure will happen). I will also rotate the woofer 180 degrees to prevent sag as well as inspect the tweeters..( should I be checking the impedence with a multi meter while I am in there?) The pictures of the binding posts look the same on the 442's so I should have no problem re and re-ing them....or will I?..In any case if the next owner wants everything stock then I would have the original cross overs saved to switch back..Is this a worthwile plan in your estimate?..thanks for any advice you may have for me.

Hi, 442 and 332 crossovers are not the same. 332 shares the same tweeter Hf2001 as the 442 but that’s it..
Binding posts!! I’ve always changed mine to nice gold ones. Easy two minute fix.. as for recap!? I’ve never done 442’s, unless they sound totally duff I wouldn’t bother.. 180 degree rotation on the bass driver get my vote..
442’s are modern/newer version of the Ditton 44 (my favourite Celestion).

hope that helps?

 

[ditton works]

I too wish there was more info out there on the various models. Celestion Ditton does seem to have been a class act, and have stood the test of time well. Good luck on getting your binding posts and crossovers sorted.

I worked for Celestion in the HiFi hay day.. if I catch your question I’ll try and get back onto you.

 

[ditton works]

Better mention...

I have had every single pair of Celestion HiFi speakers from the Cx, 1964 Ditton 10 15 ohm (first Celestion HiFi speaker’s) through to A3’s. Only pair I’ve never owed are Kingston’s. I’ve heard them many times as they passed through Q/C but never owned them. Yesterday I picked up a pair of SL6 which completed my collection of SL series. I just had to have something to play with during lock down.

 

[IMF_Pioneer]

I have to say I absolutely love my SL6 system that I saved from the dismantlers. These were destined to be pulled apart and sold of for bits and the cabinets being scrapped, how people do this always frustrates me.

Must admit I've still got my eyes open for a SL12's which sound awesome with that extra bass from the larger cabinets and extra Bass driver included.

 

[ditton works]

I have to say I absolutely love my SL6 system that I saved from the dismantlers. These were destined to be pulled apart and sold of for bits and the cabinets being scrapped, how people do this always frustrates me.

Must admit I've still got my eyes open for a SL12's which sound awesome with that extra bass from the larger cabinets and extra Bass driver included.

Hi. SL6.. well I’m totally enjoying mine over the past two days. They’re not the same as the SL6s/si in any way. I honestly think they are more musical..
Yes Sl700se have more Bass better mid etc but something very nice about SL6 and that copper tweeter. Glad you saved some from destruction

ok Sl12... yes. Loved mine. Aluminium Tweeters though.. they don’t sound like Sl6..

 

[ditton works]

Hi. SL6.. well I’m totally enjoying mine over the past two days. They’re not the same as the SL6s/si in any way. I honestly think they are more musical..
Yes Sl700se have more Bass better mid etc but something very nice about SL6 and that copper tweeter. Glad you saved some from destruction

ok Sl12... yes. Loved mine. Aluminium Tweeters though.. they don’t sound like Sl6..

Also....IMF Pioneer... that’s a nice combination.. I had a pair of Bailey Transmission line. Kef B139 B110 T52 combination... huge speakers.. sounded fantastic, running through pioneer Sx-1250... great set up that was.

 

[ditton works]

A few pics from my old house...
Cx-2012
Ditton 10 15ohm
Ditton 66
Ditton 44
A3’s/ SL700Se
Radio speakers
100’s/Sl700
SL6s/7000’s
7000’s/A1’s
UL10’s..

 

[IMF_Pioneer]

that’s a nice combination..

Hi, I'm not quite sure what exact combination you are referring to, can you please elaborate ? Cheers.

 

[ditton works]

Hi, I'm not quite sure what exact combination you are referring to, can you please elaborate ? Cheers.

Hi. IMF and Pioneer.. your user name and that combination of equipment.
Had good results with Transmission Line IMF’s and Pioneer Amps’s.