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Zenith Portable Phonograph Speaker

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PhillipMag

New Member
I am currently the proud owner of a Zenith Model #KPS-80... Love it. It is one of those portables that has a three channel tube amp. The speaker cone for the base unit, which is the low-frequency speaker, has crumbled. I’ve done the usual quickie repairs with glue and paper towels, but it makes the surround too stiff and the sound suffers. I would hope to replace the speaker instead of fixing it. It calls for a 8”, 4 ohm speaker that I’m guessing to be the garden variety alnico speaker. My question is: I can find a vintage 8 ohm speaker easily, but I need a 4 ohm. Would it be a OK to use an 8 ohm???
 
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Some console speakers may be 4 ohm. Check it with a meter if the existing one isn't totally dead. DC resistance of a 4 ohm impedance speaker is usually around 3 ohms, resistance of an 8 ohm speaker is 6-7 typically.

If it is 4 ohm and you can't find one, an 8 will work but you'll probably see less power output from the amp. It may or may not be audible.
 
Thanks, gadge75. It checks out at a little over 3 ohms. I’m going to hold out and try to find a vintage 4 ohm speaker. Although, the player currently is sounds pretty well. I hate to admit this but last night, during a margarita-fueled repair session, I hot glued a home-made fabric surround to the speaker. I don’t know how, but it works OK. As Dean Martin said, “Never underestimate the healing powers of a well-made cocktail”. I am going to continue my search for a vintage 4 ohm. If anyone out there has one, please let me know. Or if anyone thinks that a current production speaker would work. Thanks guys for your help.......
 
Did you search for an 8" 4R speaker? doesn't seem it would be too hard to find...
Are there any numbers on the old speaker? they can identify the make, and you may find a close replacement...
 
I've used coffee filters and rubber cement to patch paper cones before. The original speaker in my 1929 Atwater-Kent has such a repair. That one uses leather for the surround, which I should actually go treat with some neatsfoot oil.
 
knockbill, Thank you for your input. It’s a Zenith speaker model #13975. You’re right, there are a lot of newer speakers to be found, but they all seem to have larger magnets that I was afraid wouldn’t fit in the tight spot where it has to go. And, I guess, I was trying to find a similar speaker from the same period. You may be onto something, though. I should just try a newer one, I suppose.

If I go the route of purchasing a new speaker, is there anything i should look for other than size and ohms when buying for a older, tube system?

gadget73, I wish I had used rubber cement. I originally used Elmers glue (as per the YouTube video I watched) which dried hard as a rock. It would have been fine anywhere but the surround. Ugh!
 
I have a NOS Zenith 10" replacement speaker in the original box, I got from a buddy that bought out a 1970s Zenith distributors warehouse... So, stuff is still out there,, too bad this one is too big for your phono...
Your number is a Zenith part number, but they probably didn't make the speaker...

Look for other numbers on it, and check EIA codes, you may get lucky... I'm assuming its just a regular Alnico magnet speaker, a pic may help ID it closer...
 
I finally discovered that Jensen produces two vintage lines of speakers from their past. One is a AlNiCo speaker and the other is a ceramic magnet speaker. Ordered the AlNiCo and it arrived today, fit perfectly and I’m listening to it now. Really nice to have working. Thank you guys for your help!
 
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