Ideas for Speakers

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Ideas for Speakers

June 26, 2019, 04:56:52 pm

When I installed the MCD I had to remove the three speakers that were mounted on the front cap shelf pointing down toward the dash (photo). Two were for the radio and one for the CB which I threw awhile back. I'm looking for ideas to replace the two radio speakers. I was thinking of something like those little Bose speaks that hang from the ceiling on the 320s but cheaper. I could hang them where the old ones were or maybe attach them to the front of the valence (arrows).

Anyhow, I haven't been able to find much on eBay or Amazon. I'm thinking you guys will have the perfect solution. Thanks.
jor

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #1 – June 26, 2019, 06:48:07 pm

I found a Bose sound system at a thrift store for $25 for everything including all the little double cubes. You could do a search for Craigslist or Marketplace.

The best possible is a set of two or four Monsoon planar flat speakers. They used these in their high end audiophile speakers as well as in the MM-1000 and MM-2000 computer speaker systems. The woofer is just OK but the flat planars are incredible. Crossover at 500 Hz and away you go.

You have to make sure to use a crossover so you don't ruin them with the low frequency.

Not just saying this as I've run a big band for years using Altec 511b horns/808-8A drivers for the high end. I use the flat panels as monitors and also the tweeters in where I've junked the JBL titanium tweeters in our home living room speakers.

PIERCE

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #2 – June 26, 2019, 07:11:01 pm

As I have sat in a few recording studios in my time, I feel comfortable commenting: If your system can crossover at 500, that will put some 'balance' in the system, rather than the norm of 800. BTW, a el cheapo set of speakers will work FINE as long as you feed them power; and lots of it! The pic of me at the best recording studio in the U.S.A had modified JBL/Altec spkrs. with 150 watts for each monitor. Yes, it could be cranked!

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #3 – June 26, 2019, 07:31:31 pm

Well, I hope you guys figure it out, have cycled a number of good to excellent quality speakers through the coach but no joy. Thinking about trying an omnidirectional config, Sigfried Linkwitz' LX Mini design. Would tuck behind the pilot and nav's seat pretty well. Active system, no crossover makes it possible to tune to the coach interior.

LXmini Challenge

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #4 – June 26, 2019, 07:40:34 pm

We have a Bose Sound Link Mini . Great sound, portable, long battery life or just plug it in. aux input for non-BT devices. Very versatile, worth a look.
Amazon.com: Bose soundlink Mini II Limited Edition Bluetooth Speaker: Gateway

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #5 – June 26, 2019, 08:22:20 pm

Quote from: mike leary – June 26, 2019, 07:11:01 pm

As I have sat in a few recording studios in my time, I feel comfortable commenting: If your system can crossover at 500, that will put some 'balance' in the system, rather than the norm of 800. BTW, a el cheapo set of speakers will work FINE as long as you feed them power; and lots of it! The pic of me at the best recording studio in the U.S.A had modified JBL/Altec spkrs. with 150 watts for each monitor. Yes, it could be cranked!

Yes, Altec A7-500s (AKA Voice of the Theater) were and are still used behind many movie screens. Not a great bottom end but super efficient and don't need a big amp to give a great clean sound.

The Altec horn is still used a lot and many argue over the driver 808 vs 802 etc. Like you, I like crossing over at 500 Hz rather than 800. Bi-amping also makes a difference.

I've always used an older Sony 23-F condenser mic as it gives vocalists a nice transparency. Some just can't get away from the Shure 58 but I've always though it sounds like they were singing into a pillow. Marshall (MXL) builds a lot of good mics in China now.

OK, for the RV and office (as well as most everywhere) I like listening to CDs ripped to FLAC or ALAC and processed in a MacBook Pro using Hear from Prosoft Computer Audio Enhancher - Hear - Prosoft Engineering, Inc. . Hear can make a set of cheap speakers sound good but it takes a while to get it down. Nice to have something to bring back a bit of the highs to older ears. I hate iTunes and usually use the free VLC as it plays just about any audio codec or any kind of video. Just a super application. Lots of great live albums were recorded using a MacBook Pro.

Every couple of months I get to use the great sound system at the Miner's Foundry in Nevada City. The owner spent over $300,000 on it and loaded to to the foundry on a permanent basis.

Mac users, download and try the free VLC application for your audio or video needs: Official Download of VLC media player for Mac OS X - VideoLAN

Pierce

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #6 – June 26, 2019, 09:21:53 pm

Marantz made a tube-powered adjustable cross-over. WOW! Oddly enough, in studios, the German mics did not always get it. What I found in the rock recordings, was the Shure SM 57 was the best. I did many artists with 'the cheap little mic that nailed it!'

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #7 – June 26, 2019, 11:12:11 pm

I rebuilt my UV-damaged, buzzing OEM speakers. They now sound good. See:

Bose 5.25" Speaker Foam Surround Repair Kit / Bose 5-1/4 inch Woofer Refoam...

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #8 – June 27, 2019, 12:27:28 am

I do something similar to what Roger does. I use a rather old Klipsch i-grove SXT (no longer made) for the old 30 pin Ipod classic. The folded horn ported design gives amazingly good bass for such a small thing. And I use it when we are parked as well. It has enough volume and as I wear hearing aids, I don't crank stuff to ear splitting level any more. So the little Klipsch does fine. I tend to not listen to radio as it's just non-stop commercials (Yuk) So the dash unit is rarely even turned on.

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #9 – June 27, 2019, 01:12:53 am

Quote from: mike leary – June 26, 2019, 09:21:53 pm

Marantz made a tube-powered adjustable cross-over. WOW! Oddly enough, in studios, the German mics did not always get it. What I found in the rock recordings, was the Shure SM 57 was the best. I did many artists with 'the cheap little mic that nailed it!'

One of my favorite guitar players, Gabor Sabao (inspiration for Carlos Santana), said he bought a cheap $15 guitar and $15 sears amp, turned it up till it distorted, became a world famous jazz guitarist with that sound. Had the joy of hearing him live in the early '60s with Chico Hamilton in a Palo Alto jazz club. Strikes me as funny what we (I included) will spend on equipment to duplicate that distorted sound.

It has been approx 60 years, I still love and cannot get enough of that sound.

I still have the FT stereo upgrade ahead of me. I'll watch this thread for tips. I appreciate the speaker tips as I need to upgrade the stock FT (designed for limousine), woofer under the sofa and the stock cube and front round stock speakers

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #10 – June 27, 2019, 12:52:03 pm

Well, boys (Pierce, Mike, Chuck) I am not trying to build a state of the art recording studio; just need a couple of cheap speakers for my radio!

Roger & BigDog: I've got a Bose Soundlink which I use when I'm working outside and sometimes in the coach but I do want to mount a couple of permanent speakers for the radio. The wires are already in place.

Tim: I put a screwdriver through one of mine and I can't use the stock mounting holes anyway.

Anyhow, I think I'll just pick up a couple of cheapies and mount them on the underside of the shelf. Thanks to all.
jor

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #11 – June 27, 2019, 01:06:52 pm

Jor,

Go to a car audio store or Fry's Electronics if you have one. You can A/B the speakers and find one in your price range that sounds good. Amazon is a good place for reviews. Online supplier: Replacement Speakers - Woofers - Midranges - Tweeters - Parts

Pierce

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #12 – June 27, 2019, 01:10:37 pm

jor,
Try part express. I have had great luck with them over the years. Their tech dept. is very good. Prices are fair and they have great sales. www.parts-express.com/‎

Good luck,
John

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #13 – June 27, 2019, 01:43:47 pm

Quote from: Jack Lewis – June 27, 2019, 01:12:53 am

One of my favorite guitar players, Gabor Sabao (inspiration for Carlos Santana), said he bought a cheap $15 guitar and $15 sears amp, turned it up till it distorted, became a world famous jazz guitarist with that sound. Had the joy of hearing him live in the early '60s with Chico Hamilton in a Palo Alto jazz club. Strikes me as funny what we (I included) will spend on equipment to duplicate that distorted sound.

Gabor is one of my favorites, too. I would think this album has been transferred to CD; "Forest Flower" blows me away listening to the interplay between Gabor & Charles Lloyd!

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #14 – June 27, 2019, 04:38:50 pm

Now for a different approach:
I installed double throw, double pole switches for the OEM installed Blaupunt speakers, which are decent speakers but not AUDIOPHILE. These switches allow me to use the front and rear OEM speakers for TV or for the AM/FM/CD player I installed to replace the OEM AM/FM/cassette.

To accommodate my audiophile needs, knowing that studio quality is not possible in our motorhomes, particularly with speakers installed in shelves with no boxes, speaker connects were installed on the upper passenger side and upper driver side. These connects allow plugging in two KEF LS50 book shelf speakers while turning off the OEM speakers. In addition to this is a 10" subwoofer under the couch powered by a separate amp driven from the AM/FM/CD head unit. The LS50 speakers are set on custom built speaker stands just sitting on the dash, so must be stowed before travelling. The subwoofer is visible through a hole in the couch base.

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #15 – June 28, 2019, 01:35:18 am

I miss my straight to disk records, (Lincoln Majorca) dual 1219 turntable shire xp 75 cartridge and my fisher 500tx amp, Fisher Xp 9c speakers. Long ago. Played LOUD clearly

Tempted to put apple speakers in our coach to replace the Bose lifestyle self amped set on the dash.

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Ideas for Speakers

June 26, 2019, 04:56:52 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #1 – June 26, 2019, 06:48:07 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #2 – June 26, 2019, 07:11:01 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #3 – June 26, 2019, 07:31:31 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #4 – June 26, 2019, 07:40:34 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #5 – June 26, 2019, 08:22:20 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #6 – June 26, 2019, 09:21:53 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #7 – June 26, 2019, 11:12:11 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #8 – June 27, 2019, 12:27:28 am

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #9 – June 27, 2019, 01:12:53 am

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #10 – June 27, 2019, 12:52:03 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #11 – June 27, 2019, 01:06:52 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #12 – June 27, 2019, 01:10:37 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #13 – June 27, 2019, 01:43:47 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #14 – June 27, 2019, 04:38:50 pm

Re: Ideas for Speakers

Reply #15 – June 28, 2019, 01:35:18 am

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