Tracking down elusive SP-300 drivers

[tropicalian]

I just picked up a pair of massive Sansui SP-300 locally. A little rough shape, but it looks like one of the woofers had the dust cover cut open (!?!?). Haven't hooked it up to a multimeter yet, or to an amp. Pushing in gently on the cone feels scratchy, so I'm assuming it was over-extended or has voice coil rub. I'm intrigued by the efficiency specs of these speakers, having fallen down the rabbithole with a set of Khorns recently.

Does anyone have a recommendation for either refurbing the unique 12" W300 LF driver, or sourcing a spare? They appear to be unobtanium. I'm assuming the other W300 works fine.

 

[Sansuiman]

All I can recommend is being on constant lookout for spares and ready to jump when they do show up. EBay, and bartertown on here (must be a subscriber to access it) are the two most likely spots they'll crop up. I searched on a nearly daily basis for months until I picked up spare drivers via bartertown here a few months back.

I have two pair of SP-300 and was concerned about keeping them all functional with original parts. Ultimately with shipping, I paid more than I did for either pair of speakers. But then I bought both pairs at what were exceptional deals at thr time.

The mid and tweeter horns seem prone to age related failure of going open circuit, and not necessarily due to being overpowered. There was a thread here on adapting other mids and tweeters a while back, though that renders them non-original and willl change the way the sound.

I don't believe reconing is a viable option for the woofers. One might find parts that physically fit, but will not be factory correct, leading to a change in sound. It can be a tough road to keep these old speakers going, as spares can take a long time (and some considerable cost) to turn up. Patience is key.

You might find some other 12" woofers that sound acceptable to use until an original shows up, otherwise they can be mothballed until you find proper spares. Do be aware of the apparently somewhat common failure of the mid and tweeter drivers as well.

The SP-300's sound great, but are a bit temperamental at 50+ years old. They might not be the best choice of speaker for one who wants solid long-term reliability.

 

[bluesky]

eBay. (USA, England, Germany, France, etc.)

Yahoo Japan an option to but shipping is expensive.

 

[archibael]

I am very sympathetic. One: because I lucked out with all the original drivers lighting up on my SP-300 purchase but Two: I did not exercise enough care in my SP-70 buy and now have lovely cabinets with Radio Shack parts inside for my trouble-- and the SP-70 drivers are even harder to come by, if that's possible.

I'll keep an eye out and try to remember this thread.

 

[HTRDoug]

If I couldn’t fix the 300 woofers I think I would try some SP-200 woofers in there, they are usually available and look to have the same mounting as the 300 woofers. They wouldn’t be “original” but would be all Sansui at least. If the cabinets are presentable then they could be enjoyed. You could use them and find out if the mid and tweets are ok.

 

[tropicalian]

Great advice from all, as usual.

I have an ebay watch up, and will start testing the drivers. I paid pocket change for them, and I am heavily speaker laden these days. Maybe I will part them out, organ donor style. Also credit to Sansuiman, I subscribed to AK (long overdue).