Vintage Magnavox Omnidirectional Speakers

[PerryChilds]

Two Part Question here

I found these Vintage Magnavox Omnidirectional Speakers on Craig's list and had never seen this model before. I then search online for several hours and still could find them. If anyone has any info on them, that would be awesome

Pictures are attached to the post

Second question:

I am planning on refurbishing the cabinets and change the set up of the speakers.

I am leaving the 12" emersion speaker and changing out the horn. I will be replacing the horn with a 3-way 6 and half inch round. I also plan on bypassing the passive crossover and installing a active cross-over, turn the speakers into a bi-amp setup. Last, I want to replace the fiberglass, not because it is beat up or anything, but because it has an smell to it after all these years. Do you recommend using fiber again, or maybe poly, or even dynamat....

Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[swechsler]

Your pics aren't showing up.

 

[PerryChilds]

I am not sure why they aren't showing up, but here is a link to the craigs list for the speakers

http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/ele/5297853419.html

 

[swechsler]

The last picture of the woofer seems to show it protruding past the frame (possibly from hanging in that position for so long). If so, you've got a defective spider, but it may be repairable. Other threads here have mentioned different methods of fixing this.

 

[PerryChilds]

The last picture of the woofer seems to show it protruding past the frame (possibly from hanging in that position for so long). If so, you've got a defective spider, but it may be repairable. Other threads here have mentioned different methods of fixing this.

I noticed that, but the speakers sounded ok, so I just thought I was missing something. I didn't even think about the spider may have gone bad

 

[orthophonic]

I remember those, about 1971, they went with a modular compact type stereo.

 

[valvenator]

I dig the upward facing horn firing into a diffuser. I always wondered if anyone ever made such a speaker.

 

[PerryChilds]

I dig the upward facing horn firing into a diffuser. I always wondered if anyone ever made such a speaker.

There were a few companies in the 60s and 70s that made speakers like that, the best known omnidirectional speakers from that era were pioneers.
Here is an interesting article on them on omnidirectional speakers
http://www.roger-russell.com/omni/omni.htm

 

[TimF]

Is there a reason why you want to change the internal speakers and go to that level of modification? Only curious. If they sound decent, leave them be/stock, especially if everything works okay. I guess I am just one of those guys that like things to remain stock if possible, other than say a recap if needed and general cleanup/maint. of the veneer etc. Enjoy them, omnis are a lot of fun.

 

[swechsler]

I would bet that those horn tweeters don't extend too high, especially if they were part of a compact system, as mentioned above.

 

[valvenator]

There were a few companies in the 60s and 70s that made speakers like that, the best known omnidirectional speakers from that era were pioneers.
Here is an interesting article on them on omnidirectional speakers
http://www.roger-russell.com/omni/omni.htm

I have a pair of Pioneers, round, lattice grill, look like little end tables. Plugged one into a tube AM radio and it sounded fine.
Tried 'em with the stereo and no better than the AM radio. Very disappointing and lackluster on all levels. Haven't touched them since.
If the OP's sound anything like mine I can see a reason for wanting to try different drivers, crossovers etc.

 

[vrusso123]

Those should sound pretty good if working properly. Find something else to modify, some of us love the old maggie stuff, and those aren't common.