I actually had the A-40’s in my basement workshop for years. When I upgraded my old system, I replaced the A-40’s with the Bookshelf Totems (they are about 5 year old models) I had. The improvement was huge, and this is just a second system I listen to more for background music. So nostalgia is nice but in most cases, it does not sound as good, and could cost you as much if not more then newer used or new speakers depending on what you can spend. Just one opinion here. |
I don't think you'll be disappointed with the music and soundtracks.But dialogue might need some help. Think about a center channel, or at least plan to accommodate one if need be. I'm right there with ya loving the sound of older equipment from my teenage years:-)
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Snell Type A's are your best choice! I have a pair I got from the original owner in Connecticut. They came from Audiocom in Old Greenwich - a store I once worked at! I paid $400 + $400 shipping to Florida. Four large boxes shipped USPS. All arrived safely! They are still in storage here. I assume I will have to replace the woofer surrounds. |
The Snell Type A's are competitive with any of today's over-priced four and five- figure speakers! |
What is your budget for speakers?
There are new speakers available that have the look your after.
A pair of Wharfedale Lintons with matching stands cost $1500.
I own a pair of Tannoy Sterlings which are beautiful, course they retail at $6000. |
I figure $1200-$1500 is about as far as I'll go with purchase, repairs, and shipping.
I think for me it's about the speakers I aspired to own as a kid. Growing up in Massachusetts (and eventually being the Ad and PR Manager for Acoustic Research in the 1980s) it's about the local speakers. BA, Snell, ADS, Allison, etc. There are a pair of "restored" Snell C speakers on the North Shore for sale right now.
It's a waiting game and I need to be ready when the right speakers become available...
G |
If the price is right - and they are nearby - the Snell C's could be the way to go! |
"...I think for me it's about the speakers I aspired to own as a kid..."
With few exceptions, the past should be left behind. |
I appreciate your approach. Good luck in your quest. |
Come on Russ! Have you no romance?
LOL |
There is a person in the Facebook Group “Audio Traders” who has a pair of the original Snell Type A speakers for sale. The 2 woofers need refoaming |
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Romance is a wonderful state with no borders. *S*
A certain pragmatism courting a old flame is still something to keep in mind.... ;)
...oh, Enjoy! 👍 |
When I was in my twenties I lusted for a pair of Klipschorns. When I was in my fifties I bought a pair to use the bass horns as part of a DIY fully horn loaded system I was putting together. Needless to say I listened to the Khorns full range to see if they still thrilled me. They didn't. Perhaps the dream speakers of our youth really are best left as memories.
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I have no desire to revisit the past. I am eons away better off now. |
When I was early 30s there was a younger woman that both my BF at the time and I lusted after. Among her ample physical assets were her liquid blue eyes. Some 10 years later I hooked up with her
Some fantasies are better left in the mind
OLD SPEAKERS
Several of the speakers you mentioned are both big and heavy. Shipping is very costly, and if they are not properly boxed and palleted, you can be in for a rude awakening
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ALL good things to think about. Shipping costs, driver and crossover repair can all add up to less value than is anticipated. I've shifted into neutral... |
@tweak1
" ........are both big and heavy........if they are not properly boxed and palleted, you can be in for a rude awakening"
I assume this description matched your later hook up also? I did the same thing once, yes, big mistake. |
I would go for a larger snell rather than a large boston acoustics they will sound better and you will need to make sure about the surrounds and possibly caps but remember the snell speakers will have complex crossovers and you may need to use them as is to avoid problems. The drivers and the cabinets in the snells are better as well as the ease of drive for your amplifier they are a higher quality speaker.
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I would suggest listening to whats out there now. Depending on the type of sound you like, you might find a new speaker to fall in love with. IMHO its a pain to find parts, and drivers for speakers not being made or supported any longer. Been there, done that. |
Yeah. I agree. I’ve been looking online for all of the possibilities and it looks like more work than I want to do for an unknown result. |
Enjoy the Journey. (pun intended... old band, music from the past get it ???)
There are so many great sounding speakers from the past that are so cheap that you can easily afford to try a lot and find the ones that meet both your room and your ears.
I've been able to learn in my own environment about how things sound for the last 5 years for less than the price of a power cord.
Taken a while but I'm finally on the path of what I really want out of a stereo. Now it's just tweaks to get the most out of what I have.
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Started out with my Fishers I got them for $99 a pair and had a Electrophonic all in one am fm..8tr...had speakers but I hooked up the Fishers...that was 1969...I was 17...first stereo I bought on my own...cost me like 219 plus the Fishers...lol |
