Old Radio Shack Speakers

[planet10]

Originally posted by Bull
Although 15w rms for an 8 inch woofer is weak, and 45hz-3khz for a 8 inch driver is a poor frequency range,when normally 8 inches go up to 8 khz.

Power ratings are kinda meaningless in most hifi situations. My favorite drivers have a 3 W rating. As to the frequency range, i suspect that the only XO is a single cap on the tweeter (guess=5-6 uF) and the midbass is specifically designed to roll off naturaly where the T comes in. Replacing the bipolar elco with a better cap is an obvious mod.

Also check to make sure that the foam surround

I'm actually quite surprised that you say the surround is foam. All the inverted half-roll surrounds i have seen are treated cloth (or plastic in some new drivers).

dave

[GLF]

Planet 10- They might be treated cloth, I dont know for sure, they feel to spongy to be cloth, but that could just be the coating.

What could be done to improve the sound?

Andrew

[planet10]

Originally posted by GLF
What could be done to improve the sound?

I'm running out the door, but the quick answer is ductseal, puzzlecoat, wire, cap & bracing.

a little more radical is routing off the front lip on the speaker and abandoning (or redoing) the grills

dave

[Bender]

I have those exact speakers (Nova-6). Funny, I got them a few years ago at a pawn shop (US $30), I just went and lifted up every pair of cabinets they had and just bought the heaviest set. My intention was to replace the drivers with MCMs, but they ended up sounding really good stock. I have since refinished the cabinets and re-done the grilles (yuk). Very beautiful wood veneer. Amazing what radio shack has put out in the past...

I am far from what anyone here would call a "critical listener", but I find the speakers to be very musical. Good find.