I’m looking for advice where to start with upgrading speakers in a mid century record player my wife inherited from her grandparents. All the current electronics are dead.
Since neither of us are into records, our plan is to gut the center part and turn it into storage leaving room in the back to install a digital amp and either a chrome cast or similar so we can stream music rather than playing records.
My questions is where two start with replacing the speakers? Do I look for a kit that would be appropriate for the volume of the “boxes”? Do I try to find replacement speakers similar to what is currently there and use the existing crossover?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Since neither of us are into records, our plan is to gut the center part and turn it into storage leaving room in the back to install a digital amp and either a chrome cast or similar so we can stream music rather than playing records.
My questions is where two start with replacing the speakers? Do I look for a kit that would be appropriate for the volume of the “boxes”? Do I try to find replacement speakers similar to what is currently there and use the existing crossover?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
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Consider sale or donate it to anybody interested in repairing/restoration and keep it in its original state, previous to dismantle it.
The dimensions of the sections with the speakers are 17.5in tall, 10.5in wide and 14.75in deep. I’ll work on a drawing when I can.
I plan on putting the finished piece in our living room. It will be an rather open space as the kitchen living room and dining room are really one larger area. I’ve put an X on the image below to indicate where we would likely place it when done.
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Is it stereo?
Pictures would be great. Depending on the brand and the original quality the existing speakers might be OK with a little work
Pictures would be great. Depending on the brand and the original quality the existing speakers might be OK with a little work
I believe it is stereo. The brand was Zenith. It was likely purchased in the 60s according to my wife.
I understand the objection to dismantling it. The piece has sentimental value to my wife. She remembers listening to it at her grandparents house as a child. As I mentioned in my original post, neither of us our big into records and she asked me if I could remodel it meet our needs.
Perhaps a moderatot can help.
Provided all four drivers are working (do you know how to test them?) I would suggest keeping them (and the crossovers) and simply replacing the electronics.
That way you will get close to that original, nostalgic sound.
Edit: I meant moderator - I think they are all grown ups!
Provided all four drivers are working (do you know how to test them?) I would suggest keeping them (and the crossovers) and simply replacing the electronics.
That way you will get close to that original, nostalgic sound.
Edit: I meant moderator - I think they are all grown ups!
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Maybe keep the existing drivers (perhaps with crossover improvements) and put a low profile sub under it and power with a 2.1 Class D amp. Then sell the original electronics (assuming it is tube) to someone who appreciates the fire bottles to finance the modifications.
Wow Tim! I missed the horns!
I would love to hear how that speaker system sounds! Worth renovating.
I would love to hear how that speaker system sounds! Worth renovating.
Those look like some nice drivers. As I suggested in the other thread I would tinker a bit with the crossover and add a sub.
I would start by getting a nice little 2.1 Class D amp with Bluetooth replace any caps in the crossover with new ones of the closest standard value (e.g. replace 5uf with 4.7uf). If you can get film caps rather than the non-polarized electrolytics I suggest doing so.
Once you have done that play your favorite music through them and try to zero in on what if anything about the sound you want to improve. Report back on your findings and the good folks here will no doubt have good suggestions on how to proceed.
I would start by getting a nice little 2.1 Class D amp with Bluetooth replace any caps in the crossover with new ones of the closest standard value (e.g. replace 5uf with 4.7uf). If you can get film caps rather than the non-polarized electrolytics I suggest doing so.
Once you have done that play your favorite music through them and try to zero in on what if anything about the sound you want to improve. Report back on your findings and the good folks here will no doubt have good suggestions on how to proceed.
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Post a couple pictures, specially some showing the actual speakers (from inside or if removed from the back), also focus on any labels they may have, glued or seal stamped.
Some how my pictures ended up in a duplicate thread. I’ve added the only pictures I have at the moment below.
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Thank you for the advice! I'll have to test the speakers to see if they still work.
I hadn't thought about adding a subwoofer. Do you have one you would recommend? Also are there any 2.1 class d amps you recommend? My initial plan was to use a couple Sanwu amps I had on hand.
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