Utah Imperials

[wyceeric]

Hey folks, not mine but thought someone may be interested. Don't know if this is a good price...

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/1174470314.html

Looks interesting, though.

 

[electronjohn]

Those look like they'd be nice to have...and the price seems fair to me.

 

[cwall99]

So, through the miracle of Facebook, a college classmate and I have started chatting about the vintage speakers she has (Utah Imperials). The precise model number is HS12BX. She said that her late brother got them on Okinawa.

Anyhow, she said that "The last sounds I heard emanate from them sounded like one was trying to make contact with aliens." Which I presumed meant that the foam surrounds had rotted out. She checked this out and said that was indeed the case.

So I told her I'd try and find someone in the SE Michigan area who might be able to re-foam them. I understand that re-foaming is not supposed to be all that difficult to do, but I'm the kinda guy who knows that the best tool in his tool box is his checkbook. I'm useless when it comes to this kind of work.

Can anyone point me to someone who's a good re-foamer in the area? The closer the person is to Flint, the better.

Thanks.

 

[cwall99]

Check the SMAC forum, pretty sure there is at least one old thread looking for and suggesting local "Re-Foamers" Andyman was one of them.

BTW, I have had several speakers that the foam rotted. They never sounded like anything was seriously wrong, they just lost bass response??

BTW, is your hi school friend as hot as Ann Delisi?

hahahahaha, that's funny. Ummm, she's more like your crazy aunt. I can't get me enough of Ann DeLisi, though. I love her new show on DET. :thmbsp:

Thanks for the Andyman tip. I believe I've corresponded with him before.

 

[kaliph11]

you would do well to check the archives here.

Your friend told you about a Utah speaker that is not one of the more well known from the Imperial line. Most of those you will see are HS 1's that have a 12" Jensen woofer. Nice, but not great.

If you wait, these come up alot in Detroit, Flint and Ann Arbor on Craigslist.

 

[Boss351Guy]

I know this is a bit late, but I just joined AudioKarma. I removed all the drivers from my Utah Imperials back in 1998 and sent them out to Orange County Speaker in California. They re-foamed them and installed new voice coils etc. They are still in business and have expanded and are an even more diverse company these days than they were at that time. I purchased two more Utahs last year on Ebay. I have a total of six stacked up against the wall at the end of my hallway. Megadeth sounds so good on those babies. Enjoy.

 

[qsaudio]

Hey wyce, GR here, I was around for the very first broadcast at the old building, clearest non compression FM station around.