DonT Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 I cannot open the original thread I started for some reason. Anyway I bought the speakers that I first posted about and no they are not AR. Just wanted to let people here to know what they are. XAM 2E 3 way speakers. I got them for $3.66 for the pair. They are 14" deep 15" wide and 29" tall and the veneer is real nice. I know these are not great speakers but I am thinking with some AR or KLH drivers and sealing the cabinets they could sound real nice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 Not sure I fully understand the multiple port slots on the backside, but those are beautiful cabinets with very nice proportions. And by the serious looks of these robust drivers, I think you should work with what you've got. Maybe this thread can be moved to the "other" forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 48 minutes ago, DonT said: they are XAM 2E 3 way speakers. Ha! Told ya so ? I agree with ra.ra. See how they sound and you may be happy with them. -Kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 Yea they only have 2 caps in each so I might replace them and give them a listen. I got them so cheap it really doesn't matter. I still might spend the cash on some better drivers. For some reason I think they would sound great with KLH in them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 I would agree that a cap replacement is simple, inexpensive, and might make a significant improvement. Not sure if the two controls are accessible for inspection, but this might be a worthwhile exercise as well. The cabinets look really great, but as you've already mentioned in your initial post, there's a real temptation to possibly re-construct these as acoustic suspension speakers. This, of course, would require sealing all drivers to baffle board; sealing b-board to cabinet box; closing off rear port openings; and sealing rear panel to box. A bit of work, to be sure, but that's where a lot of the mad-scientist fun might be found. I've seen plenty of three-ways that use cone mid drivers that require a separate chamber, but have never seen this chamber with its own vented port. This chamber needs to be sealed from the main chamber, including where the wires penetrate. BTW, it appears that the stuffing is all probably fine - - the cellulose and fiberglass both appear to have maintained their original loft and are both effective fill materials. 6 hours ago, DonT said: I still might spend the cash on some better drivers. Without having tested these speakers to establish a base line for evaluation, exactly how would you define "better"? Far be it for me to dampen enthusiasm for experimentation, but when I see vintage drivers in good shape with massive alnico magnets, I let out a sharp wolf whistle and say "Ooh-la-la". I'd love to see the front side of those drivers, but that would require some extensive disassembly, and it's hard to see how to remove that tweeter for further inspection - - it might require removal of grille cloth. For less that $4 invested, you've already got a nice little bargain project, and my suggestion is to try to achieve a big bang for small bucks, which often leads to smug satisfaction. BTW, how do the speakers sound "as-is"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted November 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 1 hour ago, ra.ra said: I would agree that a cap replacement is simple, inexpensive, and might make a significant improvement. Not sure if the two controls are accessible for inspection, but this might be a worthwhile exercise as well. The cabinets look really great, but as you've already mentioned in your initial post, there's a real temptation to possibly re-construct these as acoustic suspension speakers. This, of course, would require sealing all drivers to baffle board; sealing b-board to cabinet box; closing off rear port openings; and sealing rear panel to box. A bit of work, to be sure, but that's where a lot of the mad-scientist fun might be found. I've seen plenty of three-ways that use cone mid drivers that require a separate chamber, but have never seen this chamber with its own vented port. This chamber needs to be sealed from the main chamber, including where the wires penetrate. BTW, it appears that the stuffing is all probably fine - - the cellulose and fiberglass both appear to have maintained their original loft and are both effective fill materials. Without having tested these speakers to establish a base line for evaluation, exactly how would you define "better"? Far be it for me to dampen enthusiasm for experimentation, but when I see vintage drivers in good shape with massive alnico magnets, I let out a sharp wolf whistle and say "Ooh-la-la". I'd love to see the front side of those drivers, but that would require some extensive disassembly, and it's hard to see how to remove that tweeter for further inspection - - it might require removal of grille cloth. For less that $4 invested, you've already got a nice little bargain project, and my suggestion is to try to achieve a big bang for small bucks, which often leads to smug satisfaction. BTW, how do the speakers sound "as-is"? They work fine right now and I can say the sound "Okay" So the only thing I can think of to make them sound better is a recap. Also I am comparing them to my KLH model Fives so that is not really fare ether lol. But you are correct about the large Alnico magnets, I got excited as well. Also you are correct about the removal of the mid and tweeter. After looking real hard the front grill cloth would need to be removed. I know this much I am not going to trash these, I like them to much ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted November 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 I pulled a woofer in one. Looks nice and has a cloth surround. Definitely not a acoustic suspension speaker. It has a very short in and out movement. The cone (Not including the surround) measured 7 1/2" and it measures 10 3/8" total Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 Definitely re-cap, then judge. OTOH, you bought some beautiful cabinets for <2 bucks each. You could have some fun with these. A few years ago I bought some decent-looking Japanese speakers at the Sal. They did not sound very good so I tore everything out, reinforced the cabinets and built some DIY speakers designed by Johnny Richards. Here's the thread with some photos: http://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/speaker-project-gallery/44147-rompicollo-8-2-way/page2?225010-Rompicollo-8-quot-2-way/page2= The drivers were Parts Express "buyouts." I don't remember what they cost but they were cheap. I can't design speakers and crossovers so I depended on Johnny's design. He was well known on PE Tech Talk for designing nice speakers around buyout drivers. I used a linen grille and some custom "JKH" badges that look like "KLH". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, JKent said: I used a linen grille and some custom "JKH" badges Great little project - - with grille on, they look like a hybrid of KLH and early Advent. 12 hours ago, DonT said: Definitely not a acoustic suspension speaker. It has a very short in and out movement. Well, it sounds like you're getting somewhere - - I wouldn't know how to assess a particular woofer for its applicability regarding cone excursion, nor would I know how to calculate optimal cabinet volume. For that build-up of white residue on driver backsides, you may want to first clean 'em up with a vacuum, and then wipe down with a rag moistened with household white vinegar. Looking forward to following your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted November 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2018 9 hours ago, JKent said: Definitely re-cap, then judge. OTOH, you bought some beautiful cabinets for <2 bucks each. You could have some fun with these. A few years ago I bought some decent-looking Japanese speakers at the Sal. They did not sound very good so I tore everything out, reinforced the cabinets and built some DIY speakers designed by Johnny Richards. Here's the thread with some photos: http://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/speaker-project-gallery/44147-rompicollo-8-2-way/page2?225010-Rompicollo-8-quot-2-way/page2= The drivers were Parts Express "buyouts." I don't remember what they cost but they were cheap. I can't design speakers and crossovers so I depended on Johnny's design. He was well known on PE Tech Talk for designing nice speakers around buyout drivers. I used a linen grille and some custom "JKH" badges that look like "KLH". Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonT Posted November 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 I was looking at these today and they just didn't look 29 inches tall. Every time I looked at them they just seamed shorter. So i remeasured again and guess what they are only 20" tall lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 So what did you decide to do with them? The drivers look pretty substantial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidR Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 It's probably easier and a better avenue to buy a pair of AR speakers if that's what you are wanting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genek Posted June 18, 2019 Report Share Posted June 18, 2019 XAM was the audio "house brand" of the EJ Korvette department store chain. Korvette was a NY-based company that operated in the Northeastern states, and was an early challenger of "fair trade" anti-discounting laws. The speakers were really nothing to write home about, but some of the electronics were made by Harman Kardon and Roland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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