I've just inherited a pair of 1970's Henry Kloss Advent Loudspeakers.
They're in original condition, but with the cabinet veneer & covers missing.
Also the crossovers (iron core inductors, sandcast resistors and electrolytic caps) appear original.
I've done a battery test on all drivers and they're all live.
As I need to downsize I'll be making them available to a collector.
Should I just clean them up and offer them as is, or should I freshen them up with walnut veneer, and poly caps?
Looking for your ideas.
Cheers C
They're in original condition, but with the cabinet veneer & covers missing.
Also the crossovers (iron core inductors, sandcast resistors and electrolytic caps) appear original.
I've done a battery test on all drivers and they're all live.
As I need to downsize I'll be making them available to a collector.
Should I just clean them up and offer them as is, or should I freshen them up with walnut veneer, and poly caps?
Looking for your ideas.
Cheers C
Attachments
Those drivers do not appear to be anything special. The 3" paper cone tweeter is especially obsolete. I wouldn't spend any money on these if not keeping. My 3"+10" KLH23 cost $99 new. If the woofer is 8", I wouldn't pay over $20 each, if 10" not over $50. Walnut veneer requires clamps and press parts; I couldn't see buying that tooling for a one-off repair. Contact paper may suit this price point adequately.
There's an EBay seller who is offering a pair currently for US$654.
Also, in 2014, these speakers were listed as one of the top 10 most influential speakers of the past 50 years.
Isn't there a vintage value?
Also, in 2014, these speakers were listed as one of the top 10 most influential speakers of the past 50 years.
Isn't there a vintage value?
I dont know about the value, but if you going to sell better offer them as is.
Unless you are sure you can do veneering in a same quality as original, at repayable cost.
Amateur restauration job will just screw their collectable value
Unless you are sure you can do veneering in a same quality as original, at repayable cost.
Amateur restauration job will just screw their collectable value
There are legions of eBay sellers out there asking ridiculous prices for dubious merchandise. It's more productive to track what eBay items actually sell for than what sellers are asking.
Hi Cliff! I've been waiting to see your next project. 😎
The Advent Loudspeaker (later called the Larger Advent, after introduction of The Smaller Advent Loudspeaker) rivaled the sound of the then top-line Acoustic Research AR-3a.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_Corporation
Apparently, the Advent Loudspeaker was offered in both wood veneer and vinyl-covered "utility" cabinet versions, which were acoustically identical.
Accordingly, I wouldn't go to the lengths of applying a real wood veneer. Better options would be either to clean up the enclosures and sell them 'naked', or to apply a vinyl wrap.
Yours have the original 'fried egg' tweeters with the square magnets, later to be replaced by a prettier version (see attachments).
Give the tweeters a careful visual check. Moderator planet10 told me that when they blew they would spew ferro-fluid all over the back of the cone in the area of the voice coil.
Regarding the capacitors, to return the speakers as close as possible to the way they sounded when new, I would recommend replacing the aged electrolytics with fresh electrolytics - not poly caps.
EDIT: I now read that the enclosures were available 'unfinished'. That will be what you have if there is no trace of wood or vinyl veneer covering.
The Advent Loudspeaker (later called the Larger Advent, after introduction of The Smaller Advent Loudspeaker) rivaled the sound of the then top-line Acoustic Research AR-3a.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_Corporation
Apparently, the Advent Loudspeaker was offered in both wood veneer and vinyl-covered "utility" cabinet versions, which were acoustically identical.
Accordingly, I wouldn't go to the lengths of applying a real wood veneer. Better options would be either to clean up the enclosures and sell them 'naked', or to apply a vinyl wrap.
Yours have the original 'fried egg' tweeters with the square magnets, later to be replaced by a prettier version (see attachments).
Give the tweeters a careful visual check. Moderator planet10 told me that when they blew they would spew ferro-fluid all over the back of the cone in the area of the voice coil.
Regarding the capacitors, to return the speakers as close as possible to the way they sounded when new, I would recommend replacing the aged electrolytics with fresh electrolytics - not poly caps.
EDIT: I now read that the enclosures were available 'unfinished'. That will be what you have if there is no trace of wood or vinyl veneer covering.
Attachments
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Yes, if selling to a collector, I agree.
I would say that US $100 may be a more realistic asking price than the US $654 ebay price Cliff quoted earlier.
I would think around $300 if they work ok. But only sell locally due to shipping damage and cost.
Great speakers. I have some speakers from Henry Kloss as well but a later product. Nice to see your vintage speakers
Original Large Advents, which the OP has, did not have ferro-fluid. The New Large Advent tweeter in the third pic would indeed spew the fluid, as mine did. They were replaced under warranty back then.
I have worked on many of these over the years.
As you seem to be in Australia, I cannot give a close value. Here they would be worth US$100-150 working.
These appear to have had a good job of surround replacement. A good sign.
We cannot see the cabinets, but I'd say clean and oil them if they are veneer, if vinyl, clean and use something like Armor-All(car dash stuff).
If they sound good, clean them and enjoy them for a little while, whilst you sell them.
If they sound a little wonky or distort at higher levels, change the caps.
Leave them electrolytics, same values, voltage capability can be higher(they were designed and tuned with electros, and unless you can measure esr and add appropriate resistance), you should not use polys. Just a few bucks, makes a big difference when needed.
Good luck, enjoy for a bit. They are big by modern standards, but can do things narrow boxes cannot.
As you seem to be in Australia, I cannot give a close value. Here they would be worth US$100-150 working.
These appear to have had a good job of surround replacement. A good sign.
We cannot see the cabinets, but I'd say clean and oil them if they are veneer, if vinyl, clean and use something like Armor-All(car dash stuff).
If they sound good, clean them and enjoy them for a little while, whilst you sell them.
If they sound a little wonky or distort at higher levels, change the caps.
Leave them electrolytics, same values, voltage capability can be higher(they were designed and tuned with electros, and unless you can measure esr and add appropriate resistance), you should not use polys. Just a few bucks, makes a big difference when needed.
Good luck, enjoy for a bit. They are big by modern standards, but can do things narrow boxes cannot.
I used to buy and sell a lot of vintage audio gear here in Oz, but I've never seen a pair of these, nor had anyone ask about them.
To be honest, I'm not really sure they're worth much at all in Australia.
That said, I'd try to sell them as is and not touch them.
To be honest, I'm not really sure they're worth much at all in Australia.
That said, I'd try to sell them as is and not touch them.
Yes, and if you do change them, put the originals in a bag and give them to the buyer. I always do this and people obsessed with originality are happier with the original failed parts too in my experience.
Thanks Galu and all contributors.
I don't know how I do it.
I was fascinated with Loudspeakers back in the seventies and had a pair of JBL 4301's & Electrovoice Sentry 100's, but then became a family man.
Moving forward 50 years and I thought I wanted to explore Loudspeakers again.
I've become a magnet.
People are rolling up and giving me their unwanted Loudspeakers and other components.
Most driven by partners who are obsessed with decor.
My latest acquisition, these Advents.
These ones are naked (no veneer).
I'll clean them up and listen to them and then decide.
If I do, vinyl wrap would set me back $27.
Would you recommend Walnut?
If I did replace them, which brand/model electrolytics would you recommend?
The baffle board is black so I can freshen that up with matt spray paint.
I also have velcro squares which I can staple to the six wooden blocks which sit on the baffle board to make the face look more presentable.
I'm keeping the same driver screws but have polished their heads on a metal polishing buffing wheel.
Everything else I'll keep original as possible, as advised.
PS: How do you overcome partner issues. All the Loudspeakers stacked everywhere have become overwhelming for her.
Right partner. My late wife had an upright and a baby grand in the living room with surfboards, guitars, other keyboards, books, records, magazines and my fairly hefty hifi, because it was a living room not a photoshoot location for a glossy magazine.
1. Why not go funky with an orange vinyl to match those orange tweeters? 😀
2. The original electrolytics won't have been anything special, so a base level for replacements would be the likes of ALCAPS.
3. I have a large man shed, heated in the winter. A few speakers of no value are languishing in the loft - time I had a clear out!
The "Utility" cabinets that you have came in a walnut vinyl wrap. There was a walnut veneered version available at a greater cost. Those also had a solid wood bullnose that surrounded the grill. Even though I purchased both the original and New LA when they were current, I never heard of a raw cabinet being offered in the U.S.
IMO, they were one of the best examples of the '70s "New England" sound which leaned toward neutral, as opposed to the "West Coast" rock & roll party school of design.