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University 312/200 diffaxial not much bass

vinyl fiend

vinyl fiend

Active Member
I recently told myself that I don't need any more speakers, unless I come across a set of University's. Well, lo and behold, yesterday was my lucky day. So I hook these bad boys up. I think, so far, they are great for classical/bachelor pad music. The bass is there if you stand next to them, but doeas not project much. The mids and highs are pleasant. Couple of questions:

1) they don't sound the same. The speaker with the University badge sounds crisper in the highs.
The speaker with the brilliance badge is more mid-range, almost muddy, but the highs are there. Just not super crisp. I checked a couple of recordings to be sure and it is definitely the speakers that are different. (or possibly, the Marantz 2230. I haven't checked that yet)

2) The cabinets are about 5 cubic feet. The port is round. There almost no bass coming out of the port.

Take a look at the pics! Let me know what you speaker freaks would do with this wonderful set of vintage University 312 series 200 diffaxials! :music:
 

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I'm using some in Aristocrat corner cabinets.
Bass doesn't go super low, but does well from around 50-60 hz.

I love these speakers with acoustical instruments and vocals.
 
I have a similar earlier pair (just 312 25W, not the 200series 35W) and I felt the same. I rebuilt the crossovers with zero Bass improvement. I use them in a separate system (pair of Heath EA-3s) and they are wonderful for classical. If you want University big Bass, 315s in a "Master" cabinet design and an N3 crossover.... Holy cow! Boom-Boom!
 
botrytis said:
How stiff is the cloth surround? if it is stiff, you will need to deal with that.

I didn't think of this, good point.... My earlier models were very pliant without dope.

I had once added (hung from the ceiling) some Cobreflex horns (T60driver) above mine and hid a cheapo parts express powered sub behind my stack. They were powered by a Scott 299c (center went to sub) and it was really really nice... Even with the 45-60hz roll off, I think you will be pleased with these, just give them some time...
Click to expand...
 
I haven't removed the grillcloth, so I don't know the condition of the surrounds. I was jammin' some Ry Cooder today and they were sounding really nice. "Boomer's Story" has that fat early 70's analog bass up in the mix. The U.'s translated it nicely. Should I concern myself with the brilliance knobs? (L-pads?). One speaker sounds different from the other. Any upgrades that you guys know of?
 
Remove the plastic housing and replace the capacitors. I need to do it too.
Clean the L-Pads? while you're at it. It made a difference with mine.
 
Westy56 said:
Remove the plastic housing and replace the capacitors. I need to do it too.
Clean the L-Pads? while you're at it. It made a difference with mine.
Click to expand...

x2 on the cap re & re,first thing I did when I picked up my University 6303 diffaxial's.I put in a pair of matched value solens.I also keep my presents/brilliance controls near top of their setting.Sound great on my Scott lk-150

hunter
 
See these posts
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=670996
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=669749
Just got these a couple weeks ago and recapped em.
I like the bass simply because of the size of the cabs and the weird 312(without guts) passive unit that is also attached to these speakers.
Just did a audition with Cream, Moby, T-Bone Walker and RL Burnside.
I like em. They are warm and not tiring at all.
Hard to find a lot of listening notes on these. Esp. the ones I have.
 
Is the BASS any different on one speaker than it is on the other? Also, the 312/315's are true two-way coaxials, right? Have you confirmed that both tweeter units are working?

I need to get a pair of Uni's at some point. They are a member of the "breath of life" club. Nothing like it.

I learned something about bass today, or at least about old low-mounted cone-woofers. The closer you are to them, the higher off the floor they need to be. I need to move my speakers back a bit.

Regarding bass and that "brilliance/presence" control, try dialing it back a bit, as this should increase the woofer volume (Right? ... I was never quite sure about this in FR drivers, but it couldn't hurt to try it).
 
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hey gang tw I get better bass by dialing up my pr/br controls .Of course it brighten up the top end as well but provides a fuller over all sound .My 6303's are in large ported tannoy cabinets tho which obviously helps in the bass department.Also as I mentioned im using my HHscott lk-150 which provide superior punch in the bass department.Im wondering what the OP is driving his speakers with amp wise?

hunter
 
Gang-Twanger said:
Is the BASS any different on one speaker than it is on the other? Also, the 312/315's are true two-way coaxials, right? Have you confirmed that both tweeter units are working?

I need to get a pair of Uni's at some point. They are a member of the "breath of life" club. Nothing like it.

I learned something about bass today, or at least about old low-mounted cone-woofers. The closer you are to them, the higher off the floor they need to be. I need to move my speakers back a bit.

Regarding bass and that "brilliance/presence" control, try dialing it back a bit, as this should increase the woofer volume (Right? ... I was never quite sure about this in FR drivers, but it couldn't hurt to try it).
Click to expand...

This is how high I had them when I owned this pair!
 

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I'm driving them with a 2230 right now, until I get my CR-2020 going. The bass is there, but at low volumes you just don't get it a lot. I think they need a larger slotted port, and more foam inside. Right now, I think the ports are 3" and are short going into the cab. Anyone know the frequency responses of different port sizes? I don't think I'm getting 50hz, especially at low volumes.
 
Westy56 said:
Remove the plastic housing and replace the capacitors. I need to do it too.
Clean the L-Pads? while you're at it. It made a difference with mine.
Click to expand...

Any idea what Ohmite pot/l-pad would be a good replacement?
I have one that's good(uncleaned) and one that has a dead spot at the high end of its rotation.( the one I took apart and cleaned)
 
Jayrosc said:
This is how high I had them when I owned this pair!
Click to expand...

Yup. Absolutely. That really hit home the other night (or yesterday... Hell, I don't know). First off, you can turn up the volume more, but also, it's about being more in line with the woofer dispersion. I had totally forgotten how much bass and how low my speakers can go, simply because of placement and L-pad settings (the mid and tweeter pots).
 
vinyl fiend said:
Hey Jayrosc, nice stands. I'll buy those too!
Click to expand...

Man oh man. You SHOULD already have them! I gave the Restore everything as a package: The two cabinets, the two extra speakers and these stands. Told them to sell the whole set up for a hundred bucks. Did you back there yet?
 
Westy56 said:
Remove the plastic housing and replace the capacitors. I need to do it too.
Clean the L-Pads? while you're at it. It made a difference with mine.
Click to expand...
Can I dredge up this thread? I have a pair built into cabs. They sound somewhat meh - given I have better speakers around I'm listening to - nevertheless, how did you get the plastic shroud off to recap them. I'm willing to throw a few bucks and minutes at them out of curiosity if I can improve their sound.
 
Idler50 said:
Can I dredge up this thread? I have a pair built into cabs. They sound somewhat meh - given I have better speakers around I'm listening to - nevertheless, how did you get the plastic shroud off to recap them. I'm willing to throw a few bucks and minutes at them out of curiosity if I can improve their sound.
Click to expand...

Man, I don't even remember if I ever got them open. I did deoxit the pots.
For whatever reason, I think there is a screw in the middle of "the plastic shroud". I think the 312 sticker covers it.

I love the midrange of the 312.
 
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