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Snell Type A Serial ' 1485, 1486

My new found speakers only have the Type A listed on the panel. Not AII or, AIII. Of course they are the two piece and the first thing I did was to pull the bottom panel to check the woofer surrounds, yes they are in need of new surrounds. I have replaced several different surrounds on other speakers, however, these appear to have a balance system in the resin around the VC cover. Does this mean that there are some extra steps needed in order to replace the surrounds correctly? Next I'm very curious as to the value of these speakers? I picked them up very, very inexpensively and the cabinets are pristine as well as the covers. I think I may have something pretty special but most everything I read is pertaining to the AII's and III's. Is it possible these are the originals or, is there some other way to identify the model?
I have a set of Audio Research M-100 mono blocks that I am planning to use for the amps. Should I anticipate trying to get a solid state amp for bi-amping the woofer section? Since I'm pretty much ion the dark on these any and all information available would be much appreciated. I think they may put my Vanderstine 2Ce's in the minor leagues if what I've read on Snell holds any water!

John
johnfish44
carlos43
11 posts
 
I recently repaired a pair Ser.#1511 & 1512. They were a right and left hand. The woofer cone is special with the added resin weight around the DC to lower its resonant frequency (by design). However, that won't affect the refoam job. The woofer is an Italian made RCF #L12P48.
You may want to think about recapping the mid and tweet sections. P. Snell used many bundled NPE caps that have now been well documented on the www as becoming problematic with age. The entire xover board is removable from behind a hidden panel located just below the mids.
fishboat
245 posts
 
I checked both of my pairs last night. The AIIs I have are #1031 & #1032. The AIII's are #12815 & #12816. I agree with Carlos' comment on the crossover caps. I plan to freshen up mine, I just haven't focused on it yet. (be careful when/if you remove the grill...it's held on my brads ~6 inches on center)

Carlos...You have the woofer model presumably from the set you fixed. Do you know the specific model numbers & mfg of the tweeters & mids used on the AII? If you have the info, the makes/models of the woof-mid-tweeters (2 of them) used on the AIII's would be very helpful. The AIII's went to a 12 inch woofer so it is different. I also know the midrange changed between the AII & AIII. I'm not sure whether the tweeter changed. Adding the second tweeter is also new between AII & AIII.

ANY of this info would be greatly appreciated.
bksnell
1 posts
 
I have the 1511's and 1512's Carlos mentioned. Carl does great work and these speakers are in great shape. I, too, have too many speakers and have chosen to use my XA1900's in the room where I now have the Type A's. Carl also installed L-pads on the tweeters and mids so you can tune them to your room and listening taste. If anyone is interested I can be reached at asachs@mindspring.com . Thanks.
montaldo
187 posts
 
I know this is an old thread, but I wondered if you ever arrived at a clear delineator between A and AII. I'm thinking of buying a pair from someone. They have separately fused woofer, mid, tweeter. I used to own AII's (miss them dearly!) and they did not have separate fuses. This makes me think this pair must be AII's, because separate fusing seems like an improvement.

If there is a clear serial number cutoff I can find out serial numbers too.
Thanks for thoughts!
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