Vintage 1977-78 Vandersteen 2, II HELP

R

RetroSquad

Audiophyte
HI all - Well I am an old guy and have been collecting speakers since a teen. As with many others on these forums I have run into my share of GOLDEN finds at thrift stores and on Craigslist. Unfortunately, this post is in reference to a much less than GOLDEN (more like tin) find. Picked up a VERY early pair of Vandersteen 2 the other day. So early that the back connection plate says "Model II" not "Model 2" and only one set of binding post so these can not be Bi-Amped. Anyway, before I learned all this I figured I would need to re-foam the woofers and passives - fairly simple and done deal. Once opened I realized that one of the woofers was totally missing and one of the passive was also missing. Now the dilemma is finding replacements that will work with these early Model II. I am sure I can get replacements from Vandersteen but the passives are 180 a pair and the woofers would be more resulting in a restoration cost that is more than they are worth. Looking for mid priced retrofit for both of the original speakers or an exact replacement for the missing woofer and passive. I am hoping to go with original replacement parts and keep it all original BUT - if and appropriate retro fit can be done at a reasonable cost (considering their value) I am good with that as well. ANY THOUGHTS - PLEASE HELP!
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Retrofitting speakers is always a tough to next to impossible proposition.

You would need to get the Thiel/Small parameters of the woofers from Vandersteen, or invest in the equipment to measure the good one.

The passive is a much harder proposition as there are not a lot to choose from, again you would need to have the Thiel/Small parameters of the passive ABR unit.

For you project to work the replacement units must be a very close match indeed in terms of T/S parameters. Usually you are forced to obtain original units. If not available the unit is usually scrap and worthless. What ever you paid for those units was too much. They should have paid you to remove them!
 

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