I recently picked up a pair of Linn Sara Isobarik speakers and while the woofers seem to be working fine (I haven't taken them apart and have no means of testing them), there is no sound coming from the tweeters.
I'm torn between just re-selling the speakers or trying to replace the tweeters. There are replacement tweeters from Hiquphon (the OWI), but these are costly. Does anyone know of any other possible, more affordable replacements for the Sara tweeters? This version of the Sara's has the 4mm socket cable connectors in the rear, so I think they were made post-1985 (just before the Sara 9's).
I haven't touched the speakers yet as I've read that these can be very difficult speakers to work on (and I want to make sure I don't do anything rash). If there are reasonable replacement tweeters available, I may keep them for myself (assuming I can manage to get the old ones out without wrecking things). Otherwise I would probably lean toward reselling them to someone who has a better idea what they're doing with this kind of Isobarik design.
Any suggestions or recommendations would be most welcome.
I'm torn between just re-selling the speakers or trying to replace the tweeters. There are replacement tweeters from Hiquphon (the OWI), but these are costly. Does anyone know of any other possible, more affordable replacements for the Sara tweeters? This version of the Sara's has the 4mm socket cable connectors in the rear, so I think they were made post-1985 (just before the Sara 9's).
I haven't touched the speakers yet as I've read that these can be very difficult speakers to work on (and I want to make sure I don't do anything rash). If there are reasonable replacement tweeters available, I may keep them for myself (assuming I can manage to get the old ones out without wrecking things). Otherwise I would probably lean toward reselling them to someone who has a better idea what they're doing with this kind of Isobarik design.
Any suggestions or recommendations would be most welcome.
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I don't think it's hard to unscrew the tweeters and test them with a 1.5V battery. Listen for some noise. Or use a multimeter for 6 ohm continuity.
HIQUPHON dome tweeter OWI, OWII, OWIII, OW3, OW4
I would prefer this 94mm SEAS 19TFF replacement as better matched on level around 87dB:
H0737-08 19TFF 1
HIQUPHON dome tweeter OWI, OWII, OWIII, OW3, OW4
I would prefer this 94mm SEAS 19TFF replacement as better matched on level around 87dB:
H0737-08 19TFF 1
These are sealed units (silicone or something along those lines, I believe). From what I've read you have to put a bolt in one of the tweeter screw holes (though I'm not sure exactly how) and pull out the tweeter with a hammer until the seal breaks. I don't want to do that unless I know I'm likely going to keep them as there seems to be some risk of damaging the cabinet or sealed area in that process.
Thanks for the suggestions, however, from both you and Zuhl. I'll definitely check them out to see if they are affordable alternatives.
Linn Sara history
Whether the above tells the entire story of the 11 year history of this design is debatable, but note the two candidates listed for tweeters. Having owned a couple of pairs of Linn speakers a while back, I'd opt for a Scanspeak over the Hiquophon
Note also that the XO could require reworking.
Hmm....
the Linn Sara x/o wan't designed by a genius, far from it.
Replicating the tweeter x/o with a resistor is very stupid.
rgds, sreten.
the Linn Sara x/o wan't designed by a genius, far from it.
Replicating the tweeter x/o with a resistor is very stupid.
rgds, sreten.
Looking at the serial numbers I'm thinking these might be Sara 9's (serial numbers 020831 and 020832). This would mean that they have a slightly different crossover than the earlier Sara's (and might be a little easier to drive).
In keeping with many older speakers, the cabinets on these have a recessed front baffle. Would this be a deliberate design feature, or would the speakers benefit from having the baffle brought flush with the side edges (perhaps by trimming back the side edges)? If I decide to keep them I'm wondering whether it might be worth modifying the cabinet in this way, or would be I be better off leaving them as they are?
In keeping with many older speakers, the cabinets on these have a recessed front baffle. Would this be a deliberate design feature, or would the speakers benefit from having the baffle brought flush with the side edges (perhaps by trimming back the side edges)? If I decide to keep them I'm wondering whether it might be worth modifying the cabinet in this way, or would be I be better off leaving them as they are?
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