Linear Suspension? What did I buy?

[iliekmuffinz]

I impulsively bought a pair of speakers from Goodwill today for $10. I have no way to test them out for a couple of weeks, but I was assured they work, but told nothing about the quality. Also, I should note that I know just about nothing about speakers. But, I do know how to research and I couldn't find anything at all about these things.

The grille logo says "Linear Suspension." On the back is a logo that says "Maximus." Also, there is a model number: "22-2B"

If any of this helps, other specs provided are:
Frequency response: 50Hz to 17,000Hz
impedance: 8 ohms
speaker diameter: 8 inches; 2 inch coaxial mounted high frequency radiator
crossover frequency: 8,000 hz

I'm just really curious what I bought since I can't find ANYTHING on the internet about them. I'm guessing they're just a generically crappy brand that hasn't stood the test of time, but as long as they work until I can afford a better pair, I'll be happy. Has anyone even heard of these?

 

[KEW]

If any of this helps, other specs provided are:
Frequency response: 50Hz to 17,000Hz
impedance: 8 ohms
speaker diameter: 8 inches; 2 inch coaxial mounted high frequency radiator
crossover frequency: 8,000 hz

Don't know the speaker, but using an 8" driver up to a crossover of 8KHz and a 2" driver for only the top octave doesn't seem like a good plan. I would expect a tweeter which doesn't go below 8KHz to be smaller (or is it a horn?) and would not expect a 8" driver to play up to 8KHz!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I impulsively bought a pair of speakers from Goodwill today for $10. I have no way to test them out for a couple of weeks, but I was assured they work, but told nothing about the quality. Also, I should note that I know just about nothing about speakers. But, I do know how to research and I couldn't find anything at all about these things.

The grille logo says "Linear Suspension." On the back is a logo that says "Maximus." Also, there is a model number: "22-2B"

If any of this helps, other specs provided are:
Frequency response: 50Hz to 17,000Hz
impedance: 8 ohms
speaker diameter: 8 inches; 2 inch coaxial mounted high frequency radiator
crossover frequency: 8,000 hz

I'm just really curious what I bought since I can't find ANYTHING on the internet about them. I'm guessing they're just a generically crappy brand that hasn't stood the test of time, but as long as they work until I can afford a better pair, I'll be happy. Has anyone even heard of these?

Don't know what you bought but for $10, I would not worry. It is a throw away product if you don't like them

 

[iliekmuffinz]

I just took the grille off one of them and it doesn't even have 2 inch driver. And I can't tell the difference between a regular tweeter and a horn, so... I'm lost with that.

As long as they make noise, they'll work for now. Thanks for the help.

 

[KEW]

I just took the grille off one of them and it doesn't even have 2 inch driver. And I can't tell the difference between a regular tweeter and a horn, so... I'm lost with that.

It says it is co-axial which means the tweeter will be nested in and in front of the 8" driver. Look there.

Forget the horn, I don't think anyone has done a coaxial with a horn. I didn't think about that when I asked.

 

[iliekmuffinz]

Well, what I mean is that in the case, there is one large speaker and then a smaller hole above it. Unless there's supposed to be a random hole, I'm pretty sure something's missing.

 

[KEW]

Well, what I mean is that in the case, there is one large speaker and then a smaller hole above it. Unless there's supposed to be a random hole, I'm pretty sure something's missing.

If the spec is correct, the tweeter's center must be in-line with the woofer center.

Either the hole is a port for increasing the low frequency output of the speaker or, if there is indeed a tweeter missing from the hole, it is not co-axial.

This is what a coaxial tweeter+midwoofer coaxial speaker looks like:

 

[dalumberjack]

pictures are a must!

 

[iliekmuffinz]

Hmm.. Not quite what it looks like. I'll post a picture in a moment, if I can.

 

[iliekmuffinz]

I hate to do this, but I just need one more post and I can put a picture up.

 

[iliekmuffinz]

Definitely looks like something is missing. And taking a closer look, the speaker that's there doesn't look very good.

 

[KEW]

That doesn't look very pretty.
It looks like someone may have swapped the drivers. See how the recess that the woofer is mounted in is circular, but has been relieved a bit where the top left and top right corners of the driver frame sit? It looks like on the top left one the mdf is lighter (as in more recent) than for the rest of the recess. You'll have to verify that by looking at the real thing.
Either this was a very cheap speaker to start with or someone has stripped it!
It is hard to tell what is in the center, but find some music with a triangle and see how full or loud it sound compared to mid range music.
As far as the missing element, that could be where a tube for the port is mounted or where a tweeter was (if not coaxial).

 

[KEW]

I thought of how to be certain about whether the speaker is coaxial. Look into the hole with a flashlight. Find the crossover. If there is no crossover or if there are only two wires (a positive and a negative) going from the crossover to the driver, it is not a coaxial speaker.

 

[zieglj01]

The woofer seems to have been changed and the origional tweeter
seems to have been taken out - that looks like a 2" cone tweeter
hole - since the specs state a crossover.

 

[iliekmuffinz]

I only see two wires (positive and negative).

And if it helps, the hole in the other one is completely square. I'm convinced someone did a lot of altering on these guys.

 

[KEW]

I found one link talking about an agreement between Maximus and Curtis Mathis to provide commercial audio-video systems.

If the original speakers were good quality, I could see some kid in an empty conference room swapping out drivers during a night shift and replacing them with the cheapest thing they could find.

Let us know if they sound as bad as they look!

 

[iliekmuffinz]

That's a very depressing, but funny scenario.

I'll be getting a stereo in a couple of days so I can check out how they sound and let you know. Even if they make some noise I'll be happy. I'm giving these as a Christmas present to my boyfriend along with a stereo and record player. Hopefully the nice quality of those will make up for the (most likely) awful speakers. Thanks for your help.

 

[zieglj01]

It looks like it may be an old RadioShack full range whizzer cone speaker,
that was put in there.