University Sound Phoenix Speakers

[Delta1793]

My Dad purchased these in 1965. They're University Sound Phoenix Speakers (15" 3 way triaxial?) He always told me they were kind of a knock off of the Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater. Needless to say I can't find any info on these. They work and still sound very nice for a speaker that's almost 60 years old. My father worked at most of the major studios in Hollywood for 35 years. He told me that a sound engineer once offered him a set of JBL studio monitors and a couple grand in cash (don't know how true that is). I have no interest in selling them as they actually work and they have sentimental value. But I am curious if they're worth anything because of the stories I've heard.

 

[alteclipsch]

That looks like the HF206 tweeter in the middle there. A very sweet one.

 

[grindstone]

Thanks for posting those. Cone & whizzer looks so different from the "normal" 315/312/6201 contemporary stuff offered both before & after that. Those indeed seem special but anybody's guess if someone still upright can supply some history. Maybe it was some pro monitor truly intended to compete as you mentioned.

 

[Delta1793]

Thanks for posting those. Cone & whizzer looks so different from the "normal" 315/312/6201 contemporary stuff offered both before & after that. Those indeed seem special but anybody's guess if someone still upright can supply some history. Maybe it was some pro monitor truly intended to compete as you mentioned.

Thank you for seeing what I see in these! I've searched every corner of the internet and the 315's, 6201's, EV-Wolverines, etc, just don't seem to be in the same family so to speak. My dad took great care of these and they still sound as warm as they did 25 years ago when I last played them. I remember making the house come down with those things but it wasn't like standing in front of a PA system. He had them hooked up to and old solid state Harmon Kardon from around the same era. My dad is in assisted living now and I'm trying to clear a spot for these at my house. It would be nice to have some real history on these pieces.

 

[Delta1793]

That looks like the HF206 tweeter in the middle there. A very sweet one.

Is the HF206 something you would find in config like this? Or would it be stand alone? Or both?

 

[Delta1793]

Electrovoice,University,Altec Lansing were consolidated under Telex corporation. Altec Lansing was the flagship brand and best of the three by far to be honest. I have seen University triaxial sell on eBay over the years for $250 to $800 depending on the condition. Their is a small market for these speakers and they are getting harder and harder to find in mint condition. I had a pair in mint condition in the 1980's when I was a kid and I cooked the voice coils with about 30 watts of power from a sansui 9090 so be careful what you power them with. They are cool speakers American made and part of our country's history I can only imagine all the good music your dad enjoyed played through these speakers.

For sure Altec was king of the 3! My old man always said they were Altec knock offs. But for a studio (like Warner Bros studios) sound engineer to offer him a couple grand plus JBL studio monitors in the 90's I figured these have to be something special. My old man was always a pretty straight shooter so I don't think he'd make that up. Who knows. All I can say is that they seem to be rare "hens teeth" cause all the speakers you mentioned don't seem to be in the same family. Cousins maybe, but not immediate. Lol. Like you said, I need to be careful not to smoke these due to the low wattage rating...

 

[alteclipsch]

Is the HF206 something you would find in config like this? Or would it be stand alone? Or both?

I can't be 100% sure on that, but University did use the hf206 in one of their 12" Coax, so I know it was done on some models.

 

[Delta1793]

I can't be 100% sure on that, but University did use the hf206 in one of their 12" Coax, so I know it was done on some models.

That's great information! Thank you. You're suspicion is probably correct