2. vintage
  3. 167002-130565

Sansui SP-2500 - Keep Original, or Modify?

In-looking (locally) for a Heresy-sized, high efficiency floor speaker (little kids == no towers, stands), I've come-across a 99% mint condition pair of SP-2500s, and for a song. Admittedly I am not one to keep things 'original', if quality is being sacrificed. I was thinking of rebuilding the mid/high section with new mid drivers, and a ribbon tweeter (and removing the HF 'lens'). Some crossover work, as well, of course. 

Does anyone own SP-2500's, and have you modified them in a way that is to your liking? Or would a guy be better keeping these, as-is?

Thanks!
brian_stabinger
brian_stabinger OP
19 posts
 
Thanks for all the input. y'all. It is eye-opening to see such an array of opinions.
Reason for not getting Heresey's, Model 5's, etc., is kids and money. I'm still several years away from having "nice stuff", again. So $3k for something that I might wake-up to having been markered all over? Nope. $300? That I can live with.
I would keep the low-end; it would just be the mid/high array that gets a (modest) update.
And yes, this would be a hobby/project speaker, of sorts.
 
fiesta75
1,379 posts
 
After understanding your situation, I will change my no vote to a yes. Before I got into Altec, JBL and ESS, a friends Dad had some Sansui 2500's and I thought they sounded good compared to what I was use too. Those lattice grills will help protect the drivers from prying fingers, especially if the $$ is right. The only alternative I can think of are some pro JBL's with metal grills and black cabinets, but the wife would certainly frown on this.
rjp69jr
1 posts
 

I have four SP 2500 speakers. I got them with a Sansui QR6500 4-channel Receiver and a Teac 2340 4-channel open reel deck while I was in Vietnam in 1972. The receiver gave out a while ago, but I still use the speakers in the living room. I added a center channel speaker and use them for listening to music.

The speakers still sound fairly good; I do not try to push them too hard.

They worked very well with the Sansui receiver; the midranges are angled so their sound fields cross and seem to give a wider soundstage. They sounded very good in the 1970's playing vinyl records, they still do pretty well with CDs.

I would recommend keeping them, but don't try changing out drivers and crossovers (new caps for the crossovers is a good idea.

I hope you enjoy them.

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