2. misc-audio
  3. 123225-40

Is it all worth it?

So this week I re-foamed a pair of Boston Acoustics a40 series ii speakers I bought 30 years ago for not very much at all by audiophile standards. Put them in my 12x12 sunroom running of my main system which has very good source and amplification and these things are blowing me away. You could find a pair online or at your local thrift shop for around $50. Why bother spending the big bucks?   Really makes one think.
128x128mapman
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
21,921 posts
 
The sunroom they are in is12x12 has Windows on three sides and a tile floor and cathedral ceiling and is very lively. I've found that less in there (smaller speakers) works best.    The Bostons also seem to have good dispersion and fill the room with sound nicely.   Room size and acoustics largely dictate how much speaker is needed to fill it.   Plus I am running about 8K of amplification into them so they are well fed.    That's probably mostly why they sound similar but better than I remember in regards to detail soundstage and imaging. 
uncledemp
717 posts
 
Mapman,

i agree with you. I don't have very expensive gear, maybe 8-10k retail in my system. But I enjoy a pair of Silverline Minuets in my bedroom, or Ohm Walsh 2 just fine.

Glad you are enjoying your speakers!

Regards,

gary

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,363 posts
 
Mapman, I can relate to your impressions...  Due to age, 'changing fortunes', and the price of 'high end' components becoming stratospheric and subtle to the point of near mania, I walked away from it for a time.  I'd look at impressive and/or elegant displays of other's collections with the regard that I hold for other societal 'bling'....exotic cars, exotic  'trophy wives', esoteric golf clubs made of unobtainium (I don't play, BTB), and other 'high maintenance' objects of desire.  And Yes, It Is All About The Music.  What we listen to, what makes your neurons fire, the memories and thoughts and emotions that stir.  Loud, soft, fast, slow, the drive of the kick drum, the nuance of a piano well stirred....

How we 'get there' or have done so isn't as important as the arrival. 

I have a polyglot of equipment that does what it do well enough for Me. *S*  Others may sniff, but I don't need nor desire an attachment to mere devices, other than my DIY project.  I look at it the way some relate to their garden....something to grow and make bloom for my personal satisfaction.  They're not perfect.  They may never be 'perfect', but I've found more involvement in the pursuit of 'growing' them then I've ever had previously in the 'audio hobby' realm....

Which, truthfully, does go to show ya' that we all have our of levels of 'mania'. *L*  I've been doing the improbable for so long with so little that now I'm trying to do the impossible with nothing.  And that has it's own reward.  Flawed as they are, I can stop you in your tracks.
When I can get a jaw to drop, stop talking, and make someone Really Listen...
I'll know I've accomplished my goal, vague as it may seem..

To each, his or her own...  Be happy.  Enjoy where you are.  It's all very transitory anyway, so get into the transit of it all. ;)
pops
2,272 posts
 
+1 avsjerry - well said!  

Congrats Mapman on rediscovering a jewel!  It happens and I believe in it.

mapman's avatar
mapman OP
21,921 posts
 

I'm wondering how many others have found using good quality speakers from the past in good working order with their current system yields results on par if not necessarily equivalent with newer speakers but for so much less.

I suspect many here have systems that are are miles ahead of what they may have had years ago and that is something many older speakers can benefit from.

I also have my original OHM Ls I bought in 1978 that I refurbed myself and still have running.  Those too sound far and beyond what they ever did in the past.   If I really put more attention into the fine tuning, I'd say these speakers that tareted the clasic Advent sound but in a smaller package sold for $400 a pair in 1978 and is OHMs all time best seller could compete with modern designs like Harbeth of comparable dimensions that must cost thousands of dollars.   You can get those fully and professionally refurbed via OHM still.   I am still using original high end drivers and crossover in mine but did a major upgrade to the bass driver using a high quality Morell 8" woofer that cost as much as the whole speaker originally.

More to discover