Jensen K-80A vintage coaxials

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Hi all, I frequently look for info and ideas on the forum but have never posted.
I'm an amateur tinkerer, have rebuilt a couple of tube amps, many turntables, and fixed multiple speakers. My woodworking skills are above average, very few speaker projects on here seem too daunting. The level of skill and knowledge on this forum is well above my own though.

I recently bought a home built console stereo, that contained Heathkit amps-AA-111, AA-11 pre, Jensen K-80A 8" coaxials, and Quam 12c12x 12" extended range speakers- for $50.00! (can't help bragging about it a bit)
There is lots of info on the amps online, a bit on the Quams, but none (that I can find) on these particular Jensens.
Does anyone have any insight on these? Jensen K-80A 16ohm coaxials?
Particularly what enclosure would be most suitable for them, and how they might sound.

I'm currently living in Missoula MT.
Thanks in advance for any info,
Jeff
 

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GM

Member
Joined 2003
Greets!

Not the Jensen per se as all I 'know' about them is from here:

http://www.hifilit.com/Jensen/sheet165A-4.jpg

http://www.hifilit.com/Jensen/catalog165B-4.jpg


Jensen recommended cabs for the various frame sizes: http://www.hifilit.com/Jensen/sheet165A-6.jpg

But in the late '60s - mid '70s I used many 6"- 8" Spark-O-Matic '20' series clones in mobile audio and relatively small apt./dorm room speakers, so high Qts [weak motor], small Vas [relatively stiff compliance], making them good for open back consoles, TLs.

With a published 50-14 kHz range, it was considered 'HIFI' as defined by the then current cinema sound's ~SOTA 50-11 kHz, but obviously not going to 'cut' it by today's lofty standards. Still, if it's anything like the Spark-O-Matic [and assume somewhat more 'refined' in detail], it's probably fine if XO'd to a modern [super] tweeter above ~8 -10 kHz.

These cab alignments were all done pre T/S spec, so other than 'voiced' to personal 'taste' in room, doubt any of the factory or my DIY cabs were technically optimum by today's standards. Factor in their age and ideally you need to [re] break them in and measure each one to design by, ditto the Quams unless used in an open back [or at least 'leaky' constructed] cab like I presume the console is.

Anyway, please keep us updated just in case there's some others that are still salvageable.

GM
 
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