Vintage University full range 12"

[b brian]

I have my eye on two 12" University speakers for a Jensen Imperial cabinet
One is a University 12” Diffusicone 2-way diffaxials, and the other is a 312/200 three way.

The un-educated guess would be that the 312/200 would be a better speaker because it is a 3-way compared to a 2 way.
The 312/200 appears to be 1960's vintage

The Diffusicone 2-way is 1950's vintage.

Would anyone have any opinion on either? Would one sound better in the Jensen Imperial Bass Reflexor cabinet? They would be driven by a Magnavox 196-00 amp.

Both are within the same $ amounts +/- $20

 

[1tumbleweed]

I own a pair of 312/200s - I've had them for years - and I still think they're excellent speakers, although not on a par with my JMLab/Focals. Strictly speaking they're not an actual 3 way (nor is the Diffusicone a true 2 way), because the "mid" part is like an old style "whizzer" cone driven by the same voice coil as the woofer.

That said, the 312/200 is still an excellent performer, with the Sphericon tweeter, one of the very first doped-fabric tweeters ever used. There really isn't much difference between the Diffusicone and the 312/200 - although I think there's a difference in the baskets.

To me, the choice is easy: Go for the 312s. An excellent speaker, and fully comparable to the Altec 601-8D and the ElectroVoice 12TRXB. I have a copy of the specifications I can send if you're interested.

 

[audiozaz]

Good advice above. It really comes down to you wanting a "fullrange" or a coaxial driver. Suitability for the Jensen enclosure you mention is another issue and would ultimately require knowing driver parameters and enclosure dimensions.

That said, I had a pair of 312/200 on loan for a while, though they had issues, like one warped basket and one dead tweeter, as well as what I think were less-than-optimal cabinets and grungy L-pads, so they really did not get a fair chance over here. They should be fun drivers when in tip-top shape.

az

 

[b brian]

I have a copy of the specifications I can send if you're interested.

That would be great. The Magnavox amp that I am hoping to drive this with is apparently only 7-10 watts, so knowing the sensitivity will give me an idea of what to expect.

The 312/200 comes in a corner cabinet that I hope to later re-purpose, so the cost is the speaker +

 

[Gang-Twanger]

The old University drivers are very-sensitive. The Sphericon tweeter is very-well-regarded. The sound will be warm, smooth, and musical (The old alnico Universities are about as engaging and musical as it gets... Like a warm blanket being wrapped around you, even in a mono setup).

 

[1tumbleweed]

Here's the front page of a 4 page brochure. For some reason I can't seem to attach it to a PM. If you want a hard copy of the whole thing, send me your address and I'll mail it to you (I have several copies)

 

[Gang-Twanger]

Here's the front page of a 4 page brochure. For some reason I can't seem to attach it to a PM. If you want a hard copy of the whole thing, send me your address and I'll mail it to you (I have several copies)

The Sphericon tweeter is flat +/- 2dB all the way up to 22khz??? That's damn-impressive if it's true.

 

[Stephen J]

Of the choices you mention,you should get the best results with the 312/200.
Assuming of course it's in good working condition. . :yes:

 

[Olorin67]

I love the sound of the diffusicones, but they do need a tweeter to fill in the extreme top end. Ive had bad luck with Univeristy speakers though, all the ones Ive owned have developed voice coil rubbing over the years. Anyone know if that can be fixed? (and no ,they were never blown due to too much power)

 

[Gang-Twanger]

I love the sound of the diffusicones, but they do need a tweeter to fill in the extreme top end. Ive had bad luck with Univeristy speakers though, all the ones Ive owned have developed voice coil rubbing over the years. Anyone know if that can be fixed? (and no ,they were never blown due to too much power)

Well, I'm not sure about the Universities, but Wharfedales from that era have been known to occasionally-develop a voice-coil rub at higher volumes, and this is usually a case of an offset magnet, which can usually be fixed by simply rotating the driver 180 degrees (All that weight with gravity pulling it downward for the past 45-50 years can cause the magnet-structure to become offset... enough to cause voice-coil rub).

Hopefully that is all yours need. It's quite-possible, since full-rangers can have larger magnet-structures than woofers.

 

[b brian]

So the University 312/200 is now mine!
It is inside here

But it's going to go in here

And going to be powered by this

And the corner cabinet will be re-purposes as a sub woofer for the two channel system

 

[Gang-Twanger]

That should be a good one for that Jensen cab (Jensen made the nicest-looking cabs back in those days... That's probably a 60 year old veneer on that thing, and it looks like it was taken care of... You can't beat the look of an antique veneer like that... Cabinet/furniture-making at it's best).

Can't wait to see the finished product. Should make for a sweet mono system. Very-warm and engaging, which IMO is necessary for a good mono setup. I actually like BOTH cabs. I remember cab like that University that a guy refitted with different grillcloth, and it looked phenomenal afterwards. I'm trying to remember what type/color material he used, but I remember it originally had the same stuff that's on yours now.

 

[b brian]

So it's moved