| GLF |
I got 2 pairs of old radio shack speakers from my uncle this weekend. They all have the name Realistic on them and the model numbers are Nova-6, MC-2001. I was wondering if anyone has heard of these. Thanks.
Andrew |
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| planet10 |
| quote: | Originally posted by GLF
I got 2 pairs of old radio shack speakers from my uncle this weekend. They all have the name Realistic on them and the model numbers are Nova-6, MC-2001. I was wondering if anyone has heard of these. |
I haven't heard of these particular models, but what is in them?
dave |
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| GLF |
The ones that are named MC-2001 are two way, they have a white 8 inch woofer (from one end of driver to other) and are ported. The back of the driver says
Woofer
2030 7 ohms
45Hz-3KHz
15w nominal
30w music
Japan
Tweeter
0474 8ohms
2KHz-18KHz
7w nominal
15w music
Japan
The Nova-6 (cool name) are 2 way, sealed, 8 inch woofer, the foam surrounds of the drivers are inverted. The tweeter has its own plastic cup arround it, about 2 inches in diameter and 4 deep.
Woofer
2017 8 ohms
40Hz-3KHz
nominal 15w
music 30w
LoEff Japan
Tweeter
0735 8ohms
300Hz-18KHz (yes i typed that right)
nominal 5w
music 10w max
Japan
They both sound pretty good for free speakers, I the ST-70 could be smoothing them out a bit though.
Andrew |
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| kneadle |
| While I was searching, I came across an audiophile forum where there was a single post mentioning Nova 8. The post was a "nostalgia" type post, a guy wistfully recalling the days of the Radio Shack Nova series. Apparently, they were decent speakers. He spoke well of them. |
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| planet10 |
| quote: | Originally posted by GLF
8 inch woofer, the foam surrounds of the drivers are inverted |
Are you sure it is foam and not cloth?
Any chance of pictures? Ceramic or alnico magnets?
dave |
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| planet10 |
| quote: | Originally posted by kneadle
While I was searching, I came across an audiophile forum where there was a single post mentioning Nova 8. The post was a "nostalgia" type post, a guy wistfully recalling the days of the Radio Shack Nova series. Apparently, they were decent speakers. He spoke well of them. |
RS definitly comes out with a sleeper now & then... someone was telling for instance about some headphones OEMed by Stax :)
dave |
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| faustian bargin |
...and the RS optimus 3400 portable cd player is revered like no other, over at head-fi.org. i'm keeping my eyes peeled at ebay for that one.
sorry, i don't have anything to contribute on-topic.
:goodbad:
/andrew |
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| GLF |
I will try and get some picks up tonight. I listened to them both and I like the Nova-6, it is very laid back and has some ok bass.
Andrew |
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| GLF |
Sorry it took a while, here are some pics. I am unsure how to put them in a post so here they are.
Pics
Andrew |
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| planet10 |
Nova 6 Front. It isn't totally clear does the woof have an inverted half-roll surround?
Sealed box?
dave |
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| planet10 |
Nova 6 drivers, got a side shot of the bass driver? What is written on the back? From the basket it looks like a Coral OEM -- looks nice. Note that the tweeter is open back -- that is a good thing.
Room for some mods that will make them sound even better.
dave |
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| planet10 |
And the other one ... no pics of the back? Bass reflex and a regular half-roll surround (ie the surround sticks out)?
dave |
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| GLF |
| quote: | Originally posted by planet10
Nova 6 Front. It isn't totally clear does the woof have an inverted half-roll surround?
Sealed box?
dave |
Yes, it is inverted, I am pretty sure it is foam.
The box is sealed
| quote: | Originally posted by planet10
Nova 6 drivers, got a side shot of the bass driver? What is written on the back? From the basket it looks like a Coral OEM -- looks nice. Note that the tweeter is open back -- that is a good thing.
Room for some mods that will make them sound even better.
dave |
Can try to get pic of the side tomorrow.
The writing on the back is above in the thread.
| quote: | Originally posted by planet10
And the other one ... no pics of the back? Bass reflex and a regular half-roll surround (ie the surround sticks out)?
dave |
The foam surround sticks out. The back is plain. I will try to get pic of that up too.
Andrew |
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| GLF |
| Side view of Nova 6 driver |
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| GLF |
I couldnt get a good pic of the back plate. It says Cat No. 40-4019A. It has a switch for HF compensation. And says manufactured in Japan for radioshack a division of Tandy.
Andrew |
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| kneadle |
| What does LoEff mean? Low Efficiency? |
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| planet10 |
| quote: | Originally posted by kneadle
What does LoEff mean? Low Efficiency? |
That would be my guess.
I should have at least one driver with that basket down in the lab. I'll get a picture later. Those drivers also came with alnico magnets -- they are REALLY choice.
I wonder what ever happened to Coral?
dave |
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| Bull |
Not too bad speakers,as you got them free.Normally you get them for about £5-£10 in a car boot sale,that sort of thing.
But hopefully they work well,and don't distort.
As you don't know how good or badly the have been treated,they are are probably best for background music.
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.
Also check to make sure that the foam surround hasn't perished,you can do this pinching the foam with your fingers[gently],and if you feel stickyness,thiness,or it crumbles;you know you've got some damage.
For a cheap make[Radioshack] the magnet size is pretty large.
Hopefully you can unsrew the speakers from the ported box,and see if they are even better. |
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| planet10 |
| quote: | 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.
| quote: | | 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 |
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| 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 |
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| planet10 |
| quote: | Originally posted by GLF
What could be done to improve the sound?
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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 |
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| 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. |
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