Hi All.
I have a pair of open back rear Vintage full range speakers by Realistic.
Don't know the model number but they're stamped 7 A 9 on the inside.
Symptom: No sound from one of the Drivers.
Visual examination, can't find any break in the wires from the terminal into the cone paper.
Tested speaker cable terminals with multi meter, no signal.
Tapping on the paper cone, it appears to move freely in and out.
I'm thinking I'll need to remove the paper cone to view the internal wiring.
The paper cone is unusual to me as it appears to be integral with the surround.
There doesn't appear to be a separate foam surround.
How would I go about pulling this apart without cutting the cone?
The cabinets have fixed woven covers, so any work on the cones would be hidden. Cutting the existing foam and then converting to conventional foam surround would need to be done to left and right speakers to end up with similar sound characteristics.
Is this a right off?
Cheers
Cliff
I have a pair of open back rear Vintage full range speakers by Realistic.
Don't know the model number but they're stamped 7 A 9 on the inside.
Symptom: No sound from one of the Drivers.
Visual examination, can't find any break in the wires from the terminal into the cone paper.
Tested speaker cable terminals with multi meter, no signal.
Tapping on the paper cone, it appears to move freely in and out.
I'm thinking I'll need to remove the paper cone to view the internal wiring.
The paper cone is unusual to me as it appears to be integral with the surround.
There doesn't appear to be a separate foam surround.
How would I go about pulling this apart without cutting the cone?
The cabinets have fixed woven covers, so any work on the cones would be hidden. Cutting the existing foam and then converting to conventional foam surround would need to be done to left and right speakers to end up with similar sound characteristics.
Is this a right off?
Cheers
Cliff
Attachments
It would be a shame to right these off.
Very good looking retro rear speakers ideal for rears on a basic surround system.
Cost me AUD$5
I've knocked up a pair of speaker wires fitted with RCA at one end so they'll compliment the Realistic Minimus 5 Speakers which have RCA outs on the back designed to feed rear speakers.
By the way, I recapped the Minimus 5's, fitted banana terminals and removed the dust caps from the tweeters.
The Minimus 5's aren't high end by any means but after the make over they are definitely worth listening to.
The open back speakers included individual volume controls so you can adjust the sound, front vs rear.
Very good looking retro rear speakers ideal for rears on a basic surround system.
Cost me AUD$5
I've knocked up a pair of speaker wires fitted with RCA at one end so they'll compliment the Realistic Minimus 5 Speakers which have RCA outs on the back designed to feed rear speakers.
By the way, I recapped the Minimus 5's, fitted banana terminals and removed the dust caps from the tweeters.
The Minimus 5's aren't high end by any means but after the make over they are definitely worth listening to.
The open back speakers included individual volume controls so you can adjust the sound, front vs rear.
Attachments
Last edited:
Moved to Fullrange section.
I've got one of these Realistic PA speakers, Cliff. There is a volume control on the side of the open back wall mounting baffle.
The driver has a pleated paper surround. You can't view the 'internal wiring' or voice coil wihout destroying the driver.
The driver is nothing special. The system is intended mainly for voice reproduction. I would look for a cheap 8 inch replacement.
The driver has a pleated paper surround. You can't view the 'internal wiring' or voice coil wihout destroying the driver.
The driver is nothing special. The system is intended mainly for voice reproduction. I would look for a cheap 8 inch replacement.
Thanks G.
That simplifies things.
Rather than going to the trouble of identifying the issue and then doing a bodge with non standard surround (to both speakers), getting my hands on 8" speakers should be straight forward.
What I like about these speakers is the cabinets.
To my eyes, cool design.
The volume controls aren't performing very well even after lubrication and a brush with steel wool.
An understatement is to say that "the volume control isn't particularly linear".
Any recommendations?
That simplifies things.
Rather than going to the trouble of identifying the issue and then doing a bodge with non standard surround (to both speakers), getting my hands on 8" speakers should be straight forward.
What I like about these speakers is the cabinets.
To my eyes, cool design.
The volume controls aren't performing very well even after lubrication and a brush with steel wool.
An understatement is to say that "the volume control isn't particularly linear".
Any recommendations?
Yes, these tiny volume controls are not great - replace them with an 8 ohm variable L-Pad controls like this:
8 Ohm L-Pad Attenuator -15 Watts - Willys-Hifi Ltd
The drivers have a pleated paper surround like the majority of non Hi-Fi speakers you find in radios etc. Guitar speakers are also made this way.
There is no point in using a driver with a foam or rubber surround in this tiny Realistic open back cabinet as it is not capable of producing any low bass anyway. A foam or rubber surround would be overkill, so find a pair of pleated paper replacements. The mounting hole arrangement of the 8" drivers is pretty standard, but ensure the replacements match in that regard as the fixing bolts are captive in the Realistic baffles.
8 Ohm L-Pad Attenuator -15 Watts - Willys-Hifi Ltd
The drivers have a pleated paper surround like the majority of non Hi-Fi speakers you find in radios etc. Guitar speakers are also made this way.
There is no point in using a driver with a foam or rubber surround in this tiny Realistic open back cabinet as it is not capable of producing any low bass anyway. A foam or rubber surround would be overkill, so find a pair of pleated paper replacements. The mounting hole arrangement of the 8" drivers is pretty standard, but ensure the replacements match in that regard as the fixing bolts are captive in the Realistic baffles.
Attachments
P.S. You can find out about your Realistic purchases in the Radio Shack Catalog Archive:
Radio Shack Catalog Archive (1939-2011)
For example, see page 58 of the 1981 catalogue where your Realistic speakers are illustrated as '8" Speaker & Baffle With Volume Control' for use with a PA system or as a space-saving extension. Item No. 40-219, price $14.95.
Radio Shack Catalog Archive (1939-2011)
For example, see page 58 of the 1981 catalogue where your Realistic speakers are illustrated as '8" Speaker & Baffle With Volume Control' for use with a PA system or as a space-saving extension. Item No. 40-219, price $14.95.
If you have to buy new, it might be hard finding a replacement 8" full range driver that doesn't have a foam surround these days. If so, and the price is low, it would work fine.
I suggest a low cost, unbranded replacement from a general electrical supplier such as the one I found here:
https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/fc682637/speaker-2-way-full-range-40w-8/dp/LSL200WTC
I suggest a low cost, unbranded replacement from a general electrical supplier such as the one I found here:
https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/fc682637/speaker-2-way-full-range-40w-8/dp/LSL200WTC
Fantastic resource G.
I'll consider these options and decide which way to go.
I was hoping to bundle these with the Minimus pair, but now I'll keep them as a separate pair, maybe for easy listening such as background music and the news. I'll also keep an eye out for used drivers which might suit.
I don't know why I bought one of those Realistic paging speakers.
Perhaps, like you, I liked the look of it and very likely it was the last one left in the store and therefore heavily discounted!
I never used the wall mounting baffle (although I still have it) but the 8" driver replaced a dud in a cheap guitar amplifier where it sits in the garage unused and probably suffering from voice coil corrosion like yours!
I blew a lot of money buying things from Tandy (as Radio Shack was called here in the UK). I've still got lots of the Realistic stuff you'll see in those catalogues - computer speakers, sound mixer, reverb unit, powered speaker etc. However, only my Realistic L-Pad controls are in daily use on one of my sets of speakers.
Perhaps, like you, I liked the look of it and very likely it was the last one left in the store and therefore heavily discounted!
I never used the wall mounting baffle (although I still have it) but the 8" driver replaced a dud in a cheap guitar amplifier where it sits in the garage unused and probably suffering from voice coil corrosion like yours!
I blew a lot of money buying things from Tandy (as Radio Shack was called here in the UK). I've still got lots of the Realistic stuff you'll see in those catalogues - computer speakers, sound mixer, reverb unit, powered speaker etc. However, only my Realistic L-Pad controls are in daily use on one of my sets of speakers.