Budget system / Realistic Nova-10's

[truz05]

I just picked up this Pioneer VSX D510 receiver off ebay cheap. Now i'm inclined to put together some type of speaker system.

The only things I have to work with are these Realistic/Radioshack Nova-10's. They're 50w max @ 8ohms. Walnut cabinets with 8" woofers, 2" or 2 1/2" cone tweeters, and 8" passive radiators. Since the receiver is 100w x 5, I was considering replacing the components with something more hefty.

I couldnt find many options for woofers or tweeters that would suit me. Parts Express is the only place I know of, and they didnt have many cone tweeters to work with, and the woofer selection was lacking. The cabinet is 1.5 cubic ft.

For rear speakers, I was thinking of getting a Dayton BR-1 2-way speaker kit.

I spent all of my money on my car, so my budget is minimal. Somewhere around 150 for both front and rears.

Any input would be most appreciated. Thanks

[jocko_nc]

I have a pair that I rescue from the Goodwill. See pic. I knew these back in the day and was thrilled to find them. I don't know that I would do anything with them with regards to a surround system...

They are old-school throughout and really do sound quite nice. They will not sound much like the BR-1's, however. Being old school, those woofers use a cloth surround versus the ever-popular rotting foam. They should last forever. Same with the tweeter. From my listening, the tweeter does a much better job than one would expect. It is slightly more than a paper cone, that little dome helps out a lot. The Nova-10's are an excellent effort from Radio Shack that illustrates they actually used to be in the business. I would keep them and enjoy them for what they are. They have a nice, warm vintage sound.

Save your money and get (5) BR-1's for a surround system. Add a Titanic subwoofer later. That would be a very respectable purchased system for cheap.

jocko

[truz05]

first post and you gave me basically all the information I need. this forum is money. thanks so much

how do I go about enjoying these Nova-10's? Would they work with the receiver I have for a while? until I can get the BR-1's and put them together?

[Buckapound]

You might consider upgrading the capacitors in the crossovers. Some of those old speakers used electrolytics, and even for cheap, you can do better. Plus those old caps don't age so gracefully. Open it up, check the values, and pop in some new ones. Parts Express sells reasonably priced polypropylene caps. There's also lots of cheap, decent film caps on eBay.

--Buckapound

[Spasticteapot]

Originally posted by Buckapound
You might consider upgrading the capacitors in the crossovers. Some of those old speakers used electrolytics, and even for cheap, you can do better. Plus those old caps don't age so gracefully. Open it up, check the values, and pop in some new ones. Parts Express sells reasonably priced polypropylene caps. There's also lots of cheap, decent film caps on eBay.

--Buckapound

Electrolytic caps are a nasty problem - they'll have dried up long ago.

Apexjr carries some very inexpensive film capacitors that would make excellent replacements.

[truz05]

so if I replace the caps, then would I be able to run these speakers off the 100w each? or would that be too much for them?

[Spasticteapot]

Originally posted by truz05
so if I replace the caps, then would I be able to run these speakers off the 100w each? or would that be too much for them?

100w is the maximum power. Remember, doubling the power only increases the volume a tiny bit - doubling the volume requires ten times the power.

Don't turn the volume knob up all the way, and you should be fine.

[jocko_nc]

They'll be louder than you expect at way less than the rated power.

I wouldn't expect to be able to peel the paint off the wall with them. That is not really the point. There is other equipment for that purpose. These, you may find, have a really warm midrange presence that was common years ago but has gone away. You may find it very refreshing. You may find it sucks. Vocals, guitars, and kick drums. Those kind of sounds will have more impact than with much of the newer speakers. Their dynamic range is limited, however. Old rock-and-roll ought to sound fat.

Oh yea. Do the caps.

jocko

[truz05]

jocko did you happen to pick up the rear speakers that I think came with them? they're Realistic so I cant imagine where else they would have come from







these look absolutely worthless. they're kind of funny. vented in the back so they're basically free-airs?

if these dont help me, then what would be a set of small rear speakers that would match the sound of these Nova-10's?

[jocko_nc]

Man, I have never seen those. I don't recall anything being specifically sold with the Nova-10's that were part of a quad or surround. Those may just be generic speakers. From my recollection... Granted, Radio Shack products were going through huge transformation about then... The Nova-10's were out well after the big quadraphonic craze. Someone else may know better. I was pretty young then. ???.

Another pair of Nova-10's would sound similar. Again, however, I really see these as working in two-channel as a vintage pair. Four speakers in two-channel is just loud and confusing, IMO. If you want Home Theatre, there may be better options out there.

I have a pair of old Pioneer 3-way 12.00's that sound real similar to the Nova 10's. The hail from the same era. If you happened across a "good" make from the same era, Pioneer, Sansui, Technics you might have a decent match. There has to be thousands of old Pioneers. You could pick up another Nova 10. Beware of other "Nova's", they are likely much crappier than those. Radio Shack products were all over the place back then. Nova 10's were pretty good.

Funny, the Pioneer look is what RS copied. These "beauties" have actual formed wood lattice with metal retainers. Talk about retro. CS-88's, I think. My daughter uses them in her bedroom. Ha!. They sound pretty good.

Take a listen and decide if you like' em.

jocko