Vintage Speaker Cabinet Build Plans

[cmarinkovich]

I would like to build some cabinets for drivers from the following console stereos.

Wards Console model GAI-2754B
12” woofer 789337d: McGregor
Horn 78c200-4 73.30: Unkown Manufacturer
Tweeter 78c148-23 7899383 McGregor


RCA Console model: VMT-50W
1464184-3 2746909 8 BY 10: RCA
Horn unmarked
tweeter 906037-6 2746909-5D: RCA


Zenith Allegro Console - Reciever Chassis model: 9756093
8” 49-1261-02 719814: Carbonneau
3” 49-1251-02 : Fostex

Anyone know the power handling capabilities of the speaker sets? I would like to build tube amplifiers to power the speaker pairs (suggestions will be greatly appreciated). If anyone has any owners or repair manuals for these consoles that would be great. I also need the dimensions of the speaker boxes from Zenith Allegro Console, which was badly water damaged. Luckily, the electronic components were all still working. Hate to separate the RCA and Wards components from their cabinets however I am moving. I plan to sell the console cabinets. Not sure what I will do with their receivers since they are not working. It seems hard to justify spending time and money recapping mediocre transistor amplifiers.

 

[Cosmos]

Ultimately, it's your call of course, but personally, I wouldn't waste my time and energy building cabinets for drivers from any console. If you're interested in building cabinets, there are many inexpensive driver options offering pretty killer performance for low dollars. Further, if you are just looking for performance on the cheap, buy some nice used speakers, like Boston Acoustics or Polks which can often be had for well under $100 a pair. Heck, if you're close, I'd give you a pair which would sound far better than your finished project..

 

[cmarinkovich]

One of the things that sparked my interest in speaker building the ability to finish the cabinet so it will be more cohesive with the room design, thereby increasing the WAF. I have heard mixed things about the vintage drivers. I like the tonality of speakers with alnico magnets. I hear the suspension systems do not compare with their modern counterparts. For what reasons would you not bother with drivers from any console? What are your thoughts on the drivers available from companies such as parts express. Maybe that option would along me to finish the speakers how I like along with the benefits of have a newer more reliable driver.

 

[KKnight]

Ultimately, it's your call of course, but personally, I wouldn't waste my time and energy building cabinets for drivers from any console. If you're interested in building cabinets, there are many inexpensive driver options offering pretty killer performance for low dollars. Further, if you are just looking for performance on the cheap, buy some nice used speakers, like Boston Acoustics or Polks which can often be had for well under $100 a pair. Heck, if you're close, I'd give you a pair which would sound far better than your finished project..

+1

 

[Cosmos]

Chad,

I agree with your desire to achieve a better, more custom styled and in tune speaker enclosure.

That said, trying to achieve a sound signature worthy of your effort with vintage inexpensive components will prove difficult if not impossible.

I cannot argue with your interest in Alnico drivers, except to say that to my knowledge there is no evidence that an advantage exists. Instead, the level of magnetic strength (gauss) in a voice coil gap is a measurable and repeatable advantage to driver performance limitations. Several JBL compression drivers were available in both. No significant differences exist except for the possible need to remagnetize Alnico to recover original magnetic strength.

Personally, I would absolutely explore Parts Express and the work of other enthusiasts such as the econowave thread on AK for design ideas, unless you have the commitment and desire to spend untold hours learning loudspeaker design parameters and spending large amounts of money experimenting. Speaker design can be a curse. Save yourself from the curse and follow others design ideas.

Dan