Hand-me-down Speaker Repair Questions

[kfc_is_delicous]

I inherited a pair of ADS L-500 speakers and a pair of B&O Beovox CX-100 speakers.

ADS L-500: both speakers just need new connectors in the back (these should work: Dayton Audio BPA-38G HD Binding Post Pair)

Beovox CX-100: one sounds fine, but the other sounds distorted, probably just needs new foam/rubber around the drivers.

Both need repairs, so my question is if either of them are worth repairing and keeping, or should I sell them as is and get something new with my money, or should I repair them and then sell them. I'm fine with keeping one pair and not both (leaning towards keeping the ADS set).

Any suggestions on what they're worth (after repairs and working fine)?

Thanks guys!

 

[bikdav]

If you like a challenge, try repairing them. Because of their age, you may have to do a restore/modification instead of completely restoring them to original. Restoring many speakers completely to original is nearly impossible anyways.

 

[kfc_is_delicous]

I'm more interested at this point just to get them in working order. Any idea on what they're worth or how they should sound when working correctly?

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm more interested at this point just to get them in working order. Any idea on what they're worth or how they should sound when working correctly?

The ADS are quite old. The tweeters are old Peerless units pre ferro fluid. The tweeters are quite frail and easily blown. Be careful how loud you play them.

I have never liked the sound of B & O speakers. The drivers are an odd size and you will have to modify a surround that is close and adapt it.

You will likely have a bigger problem finding the dust caps. These will need cutting out to center the voice coil with shims while you replace the foam and wait for the glue to cure.

 

[kfc_is_delicous]

I'm pretty sure the ADS's aren't blown out, although the bass is on the weak side. But I think that's just the nature of the speakers. Just curious as what are currently available comparable drivers to the original Peerless ones?

I've done very little speaker repair, and I don't really understand what you're saying about the B&Os. Any more info on that would be great. Is that kind of repair worth taking to a repair shop? If so, how much should that cost to get done? Worth it?

Thanks!

Side question: What's the possessive form of speaker brands/models? Is it ADSs, ADS's, or just ADS? Is it ADS L-500's, ADS L-500s, or just ADS L-500?

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm pretty sure the ADS's aren't blown out, although the bass is on the weak side. But I think that's just the nature of the speakers. Just curious as what are currently available comparable drivers to the original Peerless ones?

I've done very little speaker repair, and I don't really understand what you're saying about the B&Os. Any more info on that would be great. Is that kind of repair worth taking to a repair shop? If so, how much should that cost to get done? Worth it?

Thanks!

Side question: What's the possessive form of speaker brands/models? Is it ADSs, ADS's, or just ADS? Is it ADS L-500's, ADS L-500s, or just ADS L-500?

You need to leave the ADS speaker alone, if it is working. Modern tweeters are very different from the ones of that era.

I doubt you will find a shop to repair the B & O speakers. You will have to do it yourself and be very creative. I have found there are no stock parts. There is no foam surround of the correct size for those speakers made.

It is issues like these that make audio restoration interesting.

 

[kfc_is_delicous]

Couple more questions since you obviously know your stuff.

Why are modern tweeters so different from the ones in the ADSs?

What kind of sound signature/characteristics should the ADS and B&O speakers have if fully healthy?

Currently I'm using a very simple/cheap Dayton DTA-1 amp to power/test them. How much would an amp upgrade effect the SQ of these speakers?

 

[TLS Guy]

Couple more questions since you obviously know your stuff.

Why are modern tweeters so different from the ones in the ADSs?

What kind of sound signature/characteristics should the ADS and B&O speakers have if fully healthy?

Currently I'm using a very simple/cheap Dayton DTA-1 amp to power/test them. How much would an amp upgrade effect the SQ of these speakers?

I doubt another amp will change what you are hearing.

I remember the ADS speakers being fairly well voiced for their day. Like a lot of speakers then, they do not take a lot of power. High power was not common place back then.

Modern tweeters have different voice coil manufacture techniques, especially the addition of ferro fluid to the voice coil gap. This lowers Q and changes the tweeters significantly.

In any case you can not swap drivers, without a total speaker redeign especially the crossover.

I remember the B & Os as being pretty thin and very bass shy.

If you want to do it, it is probably worthwhile to research and have a go at repairing the drivers.

Speaker technology has changed a lot since those speakers and very few speakers from that era can cut it today.