2. speakers
  3. 181036-74636

Revox Agora B Interesting find in the used market.

I was browsing the fakebook marketplace locally and came across a chap selling his Revox Agora B active speaker system. I never heard of Revox / Studer speakers before they interested me for the looks at first as I’m into vintage gear as well.

I read up on these speakers and it was a wow moment, these larger stand mount size speakers have so much tech in them for the mid 80’s (1985 vintage). Each speaker has 3 X 100 class A/B amps in them. the two bass drivers in each are asymmetrically aligned and use feedback (i.e.servo control), the bass drivers one facing front one on top firing down into the cabinet with ports on the top and front baffle. The tweeters are titanium and open to radiate to the front, top, sides and back (180deg) like an open baffle, the midrange driver carries almost the whole pianos range.

So, I bought them, after a 30 min listen. I was shocked at how detailed and fast these speakers were. They separate instruments like no other speaker I’ve ever heard, including my Spendor D9.2’s in my main listing room. supper interesting and rare I’ll be setting these up in my office computer space. little over kill maybe. but an interesting find for a vintage speaker. these have been fully restored, recapped etc, yes, all 6 amps were done. no not going to replace the main speakers but such an interesting design i had to buy them, I paid $1000 USD basically maybe the best deal in vintage audio I’ve had in a while.

Revox Agora B on thevintageknob.org

Anyone else had Revox / Studer Speakers?

 

 

128x128glennewdick
david_sd
3 posts
 

A buddy of mine gave me a pair of Studor Revox AGORA B speakers. One of them doesn’t work. The other sounds fantastic.

 

I live in Nashville, TN and can’t find anyone who will work on these speakers.

Anyone here know of someone who would attempt to resurrect this non-working Studor Revox AGORA B?

 

 

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick OP
1,666 posts
 

David_sd:

I had mine repaired/recapped they are not difficult to work on and all the parts are available or have replacements. the amps come out easily and the diagrams are readily available, i have a set for the Mk1 if you need them i can scan them.

My thinking is most don't know what they are and hesitate, but in reality they are just amps and drivers nothing out of the ordinary or unobtainium as they say. also parts are still available from Studer i'm told. I also have the complete parts list. 

I'd keep looking for reputable tech close by and take them to them and get them updated and repaired very worth while.  if your going to have one looked at may as well get them to recap both of them while they are in there. 

May i ask when you say one doesn't work what exactly is not working? could be something simple like a fuse, switch. one of the power connection on one of mine was loose and had a bad solder joint. 

david_sd
3 posts
 

Thanks Glennewdick!  The first time I plugged the speaker in and turned it on, there was a spark I could see in the thru the rear grill of the speaker cabinet.

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick OP
1,666 posts
 

after the spark did it still work, or did you unplug it and not try it again? reason i ask is that’s what happened to mine and it was the power socket solder joints, but that said it also could be a component like a capacitor, transistor etc. they are not hard to work on.

In my time with mine i can’t find much to complain about them. when running correctly and after a recap these speakers sound really good, if I was honest I prefer them to my McIntosh MC275Mk6 and Spendor D9.2’s ( $20,000+)combo. I find them to be musical, engaging, dynamic, excellent sound staging and some of the best bass (detailed, fast and deep) I’ve heard. If I was critical the ultimate detail level is slightly lower them the Spendor’s and they are a little light in the lower midrange area. really minor stuff considering you can buy these for a grand and for that kind of money they are steel. still cannot believe the bass these put out.

one note in my research i found that Studer/Revox used the same drivers in many other of their hi end studio monitors,  like the Studer A723 uses the same midrange driver and the sell for upwards of $8000 on the used market. the agors's seem to run under the radar. So work repairing for sure. 

erik_squires
16,056 posts
 

40 years  later we are still arguing over active vs. passives.  😂

More to discover