Timewindow 1a speakers

[tucsonman]

I picked up these DCM Timewindow 1a speakers with original boxes on Saturday. Never owned any DCM speakers and don't really know much about them other than what I've read.
I'm looking forward to giving them a listen once I find the some banana plugs . As you can see the foam isolation wrap is long gone, Any suggestions on getting them recovered?

 

[Buck Rogers]

The Fabric we use is "Lycra Spandex".

Acoustically transparent, Visually dense comes in tons of colors and stretches to the moon.

It's also Very tough, Must have used a mile of it over the years.

Found at any good fabrics store.

We liked Black and Smoke gray in various shades.

 

[tucsonman]

Thanks for the suggestion!!

 

[tgmartin]

Hey, @Buck Rogers, did you just use the rails and tack the spandex under them, maybe doubled over? Or did you pull the rails, make "socks", sewing a tube together then stretch it over the top "end cap" and down the length? Something else? Sorry to butt in but I thought it would be germane. I've got a pair of what I think is an earlier version and the foam was trash when I got them.

 

[Uncle Groovy]

I have a set of DCM QED's that I refoamed with 1/4 open cell speaker foam from the Foam Factory. Very close to the original.
Sorry no link but I'm not so computer savvy

 

[trinhsman]

Yes to The Speaker Factory. When I did mine many years ago I was able to by exact size replacements for mine.

 

[rickb119]

Hey, Buck Rogers, did you just use the rails and tack the spandex under them, maybe doubled over? Or did you pull the rails, make "socks", sewing a tube together then stretch it over the top "end cap" and down the length? Something else? Sorry to butt in but I thought it would be germane. I've got a pair of what I think is an earlier version and the foam was trash when I got them.

FYI. To get someone's attention, you need to put a @ before their screen name I.e. @tgmartin

 

[tucsonman]

Yes to The Speaker Factory. When I did mine many years ago I was able to by exact size replacements for mine.

Are the speaker factory and foam factory the same company? Thanks

 

[trinhsman]

Are the speaker factory and foam factory the same company? Thanks

Not sure

 

[Blue Shadow]

I just don’t know what to make of this pair of speakers.

The octagonal Philips woofers were only used in early TWs and I don’t think they made it to the 1a because they probably had DCM woofers.

Is there a serial number stamped into the top of the bottom plate on the back?

Interesting pair.

 

[peterp1]

I just don’t know what to make of this pair of speakers.

The octagonal Philips woofers were only used in early TWs and I don’t think they made it to the 1a because they probably had DCM woofers.

Is there a serial number stamped into the top of the bottom plate on the back?

Interesting pair.

The box has "B Stock - Phillips woofers and tweeters" (and SN 1084 & 1085) written on it by hand with a red marker -- maybe these went back to the factory later (maybe under warranty) and were fitted with different drivers?

 

[tucsonman]

I just don’t know what to make of this pair of speakers.

The octagonal Philips woofers were only used in early TWs and I don’t think they made it to the 1a because they probably had DCM woofers.

Is there a serial number stamped into the top of the bottom plate on the back?

Interesting pair.

The plate is missing on both speakers the only clue is the top of the box that clearly states Phillips woofer and tweeters and probably the serial numbers both written on the box

 

[Blue Shadow]

I think these may be fitted with different boxes. But the dual ports make me need to review the info on the TW and 1a.

No serial number stamped into bottom plate?

 

[tucsonman]

The box has "B Stock - Phillips woofers and tweeters" (and SN 1084 & 1085) written on it by hand with a red marker -- maybe these went back to the factory later (maybe under warranty) and were fitted with different drivers?

That could explain why you have these speakers inside Timewindow 1a boxes. I know the person I picked them up from acquired them from the original owner and some high end gear that he was selling to down size.

 

[tucsonman]

I think these may be fitted with different boxes. But the dual ports make me need to review the info on the TW and 1a.

No serial number stamped into bottom plate?

Unfortunately no serial number anywhere on the speakers themselves, It could be a possibility the plates come off when removing the foam if they were attached together. Interesting

 

[Blue Shadow]

Circle shows where early TWs had the serial number stamped in the wood. I do not know when this started. It stopped when the number was put on a sticker showing the model and other info on the top of the speaker back between the slats that hold the foam.
The strips that hold the foam grille cloth were plastic on the long run of TWs from around 10000-50000. I don’t know what was used on early TWs which is what I think you have.
The TW 1a, which I did not like as much as the TW, seems to have continuation serial numbers as 50002 was a serial number on the web image search. I don’t think there would have been early TW 1a speakers with your serial numbers.

Here is a refresh of a pair of TWs similar to yours, octagon woofers and such.

B

Thread 'DCM Time Window Overhaul'

Mar 8, 2018

So I picked up these early DCM Time Windows a couple of months ago. In pretty good shape for probably mid 1970's, but I always seem to need to have a project to work on. All of the drivers work, the walnut tops need to be refinished and even though my research indicate these are a pita to get into to work on them, I decided to go for it. Hopefully this thread will be useful to others to keep these vintage speakers working.



Not knowing how the walnut end caps were attached, I decided to use a piece of scrap wood ( it was cherry, but I am sure it doesn't matter) and a hammer to tap on the...

• bfstrysik
• Replies: 73
• Forum: Speakers

• 

There are other TW restore threads and I have a few pictures from @GD70 ‘s restore of his early pair. Maybe he will drop in and point us to his thread as I didn’t find it in a quick search. It shows the serial numbers and his use of Velcro to hold new grille material.

Be interesting seeing more of these speakers and reading how you like them and what you are comparing them to. Worthy of a restoration, too.

One big difference between early TW and TW1a is the top of the TW is a walnut veneer, lightly colored vs the darker walnut of many speakers we know. The 1a used a multi-section oak top which could be painted black for some speakers. This multisection is seen along the edge of the base and top plates in both early TW and 1a but the top of the TW was one piece veneer. The later TW had dark brown paint on the edge and inward facing surfaces.

 

[sanford12]

Had a pair and they kicked my KEF Q950's out the door. First time I listened to them knew the KEFs were gone.

 

[tucsonman]

View attachment 3828760
Circle shows where early TWs had the serial number stamped in the wood. I do not know when this started. It stopped when the number was put on a sticker showing the model and other info on the top of the speaker back between the slats that hold the foam.
The strips that hold the foam grille cloth were plastic on the long run of TWs from around 10000-50000. I don’t know what was used on early TWs which is what I think you have.
The TW 1a, which I did not like as much as the TW, seems to have continuation serial numbers as 50002 was a serial number on the web image search. I don’t think there would have been early TW 1a speakers with your serial numbers.

Here is a refresh of a pair of TWs similar to yours, octagon woofers and such.

B

Thread 'DCM Time Window Overhaul'

Mar 8, 2018

So I picked up these early DCM Time Windows a couple of months ago. In pretty good shape for probably mid 1970's, but I always seem to need to have a project to work on. All of the drivers work, the walnut tops need to be refinished and even though my research indicate these are a pita to get into to work on them, I decided to go for it. Hopefully this thread will be useful to others to keep these vintage speakers working.



Not knowing how the walnut end caps were attached, I decided to use a piece of scrap wood ( it was cherry, but I am sure it doesn't matter) and a hammer to tap on the...

• bfstrysik
• Replies: 73
• Forum: Speakers

• 

There are other TW restore threads and I have a few pictures from @GD70 ‘s restore of his early pair. Maybe he will drop in and point us to his thread as I didn’t find it in a quick search. It shows the serial numbers and his use of Velcro to hold new grille material.

Be interesting seeing more of these speakers and reading how you like them and what you are comparing them to. Worthy of a restoration, too.

One big difference between early TW and TW1a is the top of the TW is a walnut veneer, lightly colored vs the darker walnut of many speakers we know. The 1a used a multi-section oak top which could be painted black for some speakers. This multisection is seen along the edge of the base and top plates in both early TW and 1a but the top of the TW was one piece veneer. The later TW had dark brown paint on the edge and inward facing surfaces.

Great information!! I'm out of town and will have a listen this weekend and will report back. Much appreciated

 

[tucsonman]

All I can say is WOW ! Sat down with these over the weekend after giving my ears a break from the Yamaha 1000m speakers for a week. Source: Yamaha M60/C60 combo. I threw every genre of music in my library at them and came up spades every time via cds and vinyl. Musical with nice tight lows coming from the dual ports. Midrange & tweeters came through loud and clean, I could tell they hadn't been played in awhile; It took a few rotations to wake them up.
Remarkable speakers from a long ago time yet still producing a fantastic listening experience and soundstage here in 2026, Keepers for sure. I ordered the precut foam insulation and knowing replacement drivers are harder to find, I picked up a single 1a off marketplace for $50. Attached are a few close up photos of the drivers. I noted the dual ports on my pair are lateral to each other? Other images I have seen show one port higher on one side. I'm a big fan of Timewindow 1a/ 1's now, It's a pleasure to be included in the owners club.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Thanks for the suggestion!!

Also known generically as elastic double-knit polyester.