Hello all!
Recently aquired a 1965 Clairtone console stereo, recapped the amp and serviced the turntable. Plays very well for its age. The speakers could use an upgrade and I'm looking for ideas. First would be to remove the speakers and install newer components, however I do not want to modify anything inside the cavity, so making new speakers fit might be a challenge. I thought of building cabinets that would slide inside the existing cavity, however there are cardboard ports at the top.
This unit has external speaker outputs, so when I wanted to listen I could haul out the speakers and hook them up.
Current speaker configuration is one 10" woofer and two 3-1/2" tweeters for each channel.
Room type is living room / kitchen (open concept) with high vaulted ceilings, with listening position 45deg diagonal off the front of the unit. Not optimal, but I'm not looking for perfection, just a really nice upgrade.
Music preference is classic rock, jazz, blues, some classical.
Thank you for looking!
Recently aquired a 1965 Clairtone console stereo, recapped the amp and serviced the turntable. Plays very well for its age. The speakers could use an upgrade and I'm looking for ideas. First would be to remove the speakers and install newer components, however I do not want to modify anything inside the cavity, so making new speakers fit might be a challenge. I thought of building cabinets that would slide inside the existing cavity, however there are cardboard ports at the top.
This unit has external speaker outputs, so when I wanted to listen I could haul out the speakers and hook them up.
Current speaker configuration is one 10" woofer and two 3-1/2" tweeters for each channel.
Room type is living room / kitchen (open concept) with high vaulted ceilings, with listening position 45deg diagonal off the front of the unit. Not optimal, but I'm not looking for perfection, just a really nice upgrade.
Music preference is classic rock, jazz, blues, some classical.
Thank you for looking!
Attachments
With AlNiCo drivers I'd be wanting to keep them as original.
At the least you could replace the older electrolytic capacitors but if it were me, I'd redesign the crossover to higher standards.
At the least you could replace the older electrolytic capacitors but if it were me, I'd redesign the crossover to higher standards.
The electrolytics in the amp have been changed, but i think the speakers run full range? Not sure what the yellow device is wired up to the tweeters tho...
Totally willing to build crossovers for the speakers if it wil make a noticable difference.
Totally willing to build crossovers for the speakers if it wil make a noticable difference.
Last edited:
Can you photograph the wiring diagram, just for fun?
P.S. Since the ports are at the top of the enclosure, what's to stop you sliding in loudspeaker cabinets of the appropriate height and designed to fire through the existing bass driver apertures?
P.P.S. I would keep the speakers as they are for that period sound - and the speaker enclosure design certainly looks superior to that of the average vintage console. I wouldn't use a complex crossover, simply replace the capacitor with a modern polypropylene one. Continue to allow the drivers' frequency ranges to overlap as that's part of the vintage magic! 😎
P.S. Since the ports are at the top of the enclosure, what's to stop you sliding in loudspeaker cabinets of the appropriate height and designed to fire through the existing bass driver apertures?
P.P.S. I would keep the speakers as they are for that period sound - and the speaker enclosure design certainly looks superior to that of the average vintage console. I wouldn't use a complex crossover, simply replace the capacitor with a modern polypropylene one. Continue to allow the drivers' frequency ranges to overlap as that's part of the vintage magic! 😎
Look very closely at the two "tweeters" and I think you might find that they are different. In fact I think you might find that one is a tweeter and the other is a midrange. My Clairtone console had AlNiCo drivers that looked a heck of a lot like that and upon close inspection (of the cones, not the frames) it became obvious - woof-mid-tweet.
That's a beautiful unit, by the way. Nice find!
It would be pretty easy to reverse engineer a 3-way into those boxes. Measure inside dimensions and do some playing in WinISD with various 10" drivers. Port length and/or configuration would need to be tweaked for good bass-reflex response. Then just pick a decent mid and tweeter and design a crossover. Bob's yer uncle. I'm not sure I would do it though. If the drivers aren't blown maybe do like suggested above - re-do the crossovers.
That's a beautiful unit, by the way. Nice find!
It would be pretty easy to reverse engineer a 3-way into those boxes. Measure inside dimensions and do some playing in WinISD with various 10" drivers. Port length and/or configuration would need to be tweaked for good bass-reflex response. Then just pick a decent mid and tweeter and design a crossover. Bob's yer uncle. I'm not sure I would do it though. If the drivers aren't blown maybe do like suggested above - re-do the crossovers.
Last edited:
AllenB - sound isn't too bad. Low end bass is poor, high end treble is just ok. There is room for improvement. Listening to a Beatles LP is pretty good. Falls short with AC/DC or Rolling Stones. I have an RPi/Dac running Moode Audio, and have tried to compensate with EQ but with limited success.
Galu - Service manual can be found at clairtone.ca/T7.zip
Cogitech - Thanks! We enjoy the unit as well. Whats the best way to design crossovers for this setup?
Galu - Service manual can be found at clairtone.ca/T7.zip
Cogitech - Thanks! We enjoy the unit as well. Whats the best way to design crossovers for this setup?
I suspect the better improvements might also be the least intrusive. A little less mid, a bit of help with the room in the bass. Maybe an inductor for the woofer and a standalone subwoofer. Only guessing though without measurements.
WAG but high passing the existing woofer and adding in a small but decent subwoofer might be the best option.
How much space under the unit?
It is one of the nicer bits of furniture of this sort that I've seen. What size is the woofer?
10" or 12"?
How much space under the unit?
It is one of the nicer bits of furniture of this sort that I've seen. What size is the woofer?
10" or 12"?
Another thought i had was to experiment with crossover to improve whats already there, then build a pair of Classix II on a couple stands and stick them in a closet except when wanting to actively listen, and place them in an optimal position in front of a chair or couch?