Where are you ? You did a effing good thing so far. Everybody is missing you. You did the finest job a man can do. Meaning forward your experience to the next generation literally preventing them from starting at zero again. I hope youre fine man.
@@AlexMit-yj7rp Would be nice to see him again but perhaps he has got as far as he needs to now with his audio gear and is happy with what he now has and is no longer buying?
I own a par of these - they’re superb! They don’t like high volumes (they clip), but driven by my Audiolab 8000a, and either a 1969 Thorens TD165 or 1984 Marantz CD54 CD player, I’m really pleased with them! The only speakers I’d replace them with are the Rogers JR149s, which I heard on demo once, and was blown away by!
Hi kelvin I really enjoyed all your videos, but haven’t seen you for over 3 months since this one? I really hope your ok and return very soon with some more excellent hi-fi videos for me to enjoy! Best wishes from Paul 😊 Ps. How about a vintage turntable feature, that would be really good! 😊👍
Hi Kelvin, thanks for the review. I think you got it spot on with the materials and how they influence the sound. I also agree that often you can look at a speaker and kind of imagine how it will sound like. No 100% guarantee obvious, but it is a good indicator. And Oh, the modern speakers... I do not like them. I think I know what is going on though: Obsession with a frequency curve that is straight as an arrow. The internal volume (physical size, not SPL) has to be as small as possible. And the base has to go very deep. The result is a speaker that has a bad efficiency. To overcome that on paper, they make them 4 Ohm or less so when they, incorrectly, specify the efficiency based on voltage, rather than power, you gain a few dB. But the speaker becomes a bitch to drive and sounds awful.
This is building into a wonderful set of comparative speaker reviews. Your opinion of the Quad LS speakers prompted me to replace mine. You were right and my new ones have been much better.
Another great video Kelvin. As someone who spends half there life recapping / rebuilding and upgrading crossovers its definitely not a case of whacking in a load of poly caps like many people do just because the values are the same. You can make or break a speaker depending on the components used. Look forward to you meeting with Ben. Cheers. Matt
I've had a few pairs of LS2a in for repair and your right about the tweeter. The metal dome is not as good. I upgraded the last pair I had and the difference was pretty amazing. That polypropylene woofer is a decent unit. ruclips.net/video/Hx_7OuXg2PE/видео.html&feature=shares
I speak for myself and probably many others. We are not happy 😂. It's been three months since this latest review and we want more. I don't always agree with you but that doesn't mean I don't want to watch and listen to your comments on the good, the bad and the ugly. We are suffering withdrawal symptoms and it's not good. MORE PLEASE!!!
A friend of mine just acquired a pair of Rogers LS6 in a trade and he loves them. I always had a fondness for the original Rogers LS7 (not the later LS7T) . Those traditional British speaker makers sure knew how to get the all important midrange right.
Ben here. I have done the same treatment to a pair of LS6 as the LS2, and I they turned out very well IMO. They were my workshop reference speakers for about a year, and had I not sold them, they would have been the ones I gave to Kelvin to review.
Nice review Kelvin. I recently revamped my Linn Index MK1 speakers by replacing the awful tweeter with the same Mission/Vifa tweeters and replacing the crossover with a pair of old JPW mini monitor ones that I had lying around. 90% better sound. The stock Index sounded dire. How Linn could get away selling a speaker like that I'll never know. Apparently the Index MK2 is a lot better.
Another great video Kelvin! I am still laughing about "Nothing Burger" I haven't heard that in YEARS. I have to start using that one again! I wonder if speaker technology hit a wall at some point. I still want to get my old Kef 104.2's from 1985 redone. They were warm and detailed. They use the Kef B110 as the mid range drivers. Nice to see you Kelvin!
Have to agree with you on metal dome tweeters. I've never heard one I liked the sound of. They're tiring to listen to, and I much prefer silk domes. Thanks, as always, for another entertaining and informative video Kelvin!
Hello there, Kelvin! Been a while since your last video, you must have a big stash of videos due for releasing any time now! Just re watched your Leak amp and LS7 speakers videos, i still use them in my set up. What about comparing tuners with each other? My best tuner is a Leak Delta tuner from the 70's, fantastic reception, blows away more modern ones from JVC and Arcam.
Awesome. I'm listening to this through my 1989 Mission 761 speakers (also re-cap'd) and right at the start I was like "hang on, I recognise those tweeters!" I love 'em. When looking for information on my 761's I frequently found the tweeters described as "ferrofluid cooled 19 mm dome tweeters". I think they were made by Vifa. I'm looking forward to videos you might make with Ben, Kelvin. Somebody else you might be interested to chat to is Andrew at Anapeach, who restores vintage speakers for a living. He restored my Mission 761's, giving them a full re-wiring and new components in the crossovers. He also re-foams woofers, and does cabinet restoration. He's also a lovely guy, very nice to deal with.
Hey buddy, I am so glad to see you back on RUclips. I Got a bit worried about you there for a while. I started listening to your RUclips broadcast a few years back and ended up purchasing a Sansui 711 based on your recommendation. Wrote you about that. Anyway, I have since purchased another Sansui; Eight Deluxe, again based on your recommendations. Lol. But all that is really not important. What is Truly amazing to me is how invested I am in listening to not only your evaluations, but you in general, even though I have never met you personally. I am sure that I as well as many others also felt a since of loss while you were off of RUclips recently. I listen to a lot different folks on RUclips🎉, but for some reason I feel a since of kindred or “friendship” toward you that I find most unexpected. Maybe it is because of the shared interest in vintage audio equipment. However, I am truly glad you are well and back on RUclips. We all enjoy and appreciate your analysis on the various audio equipment, etc., but I for one just want to express my appreciation not only for your analysis, but for you in general. Anyway, hope you don’t find this comment too nutty. But keep up the good work and great channel.
I mirror your feelings which you put so eloquently. He really does feel like a friend as his chats are so casual and genuine, it's rare these days for someone to be genuine, perhaps only those closest to us. Good to have you here :)
Thanks S. Nice to hear. I tried to keep it real In fact, it was listening to, and reading all a load of nonsense that made me start his channel cheers K
Hi Kelvin, I enjoy your videos and hearing your experienced opinion on new speakers compared to the vintage stuff. I got into Hifi when I inherited an old Marantz PM7000 & set of Heybrook HB1’s (Not spectacular but a nice combo). I am now 3 years into my Hifi journey with my first purchase comprising of the Cambridge Audio CXA 81 and Wharfedale Evo 4.2. The Wharfedales are a really beautiful speaker to look at and I think the combination with the CA amp is a great pairing, working together to create an enjoyable, wide soundscape. The 4.2’s are a 3 way speaker featuring a ribbon tweeter and dome midrange. I would enjoy hearing your opinion on them should you ever get the chance to trial them. Highs sound good to me. Midrange is outstanding. I really get the "in the room feel" from instruments, vocals, synths etc. Lower Mid/Upper Bass region can be a little weak sounding on some tracks. Bass is full bodied but lacks in definition and can be perceived a slow sounding on uptempo tracks. On certain songs they really amaze me, sounds seem to float around the room, lifelike vocals you can almost touch. They have a smooth, non fatiguing character but on certain songs they can lack in speed and I feel like I would enjoy a touch more brightness. I tried the Marantz amp with the 4.2’s and the sound was very narrow, dark, overly warm and not good at all. The Heybrooks sounded a little too clinical for my tastes on the CA amp. All the best, keep up the great work. Us enthusiasts really enjoy your input.
Polk had a wonderful tweeter in the early 90s. Very detailed, but never annoying. It was a soft dome tweeter, basically sprinkled with an extremely thin coating of stainless steel and two other rare metals. I can't remember the process (something like electroplating), but it was a brilliant idea to get the the best of different frequencies reproduction (where each material shines) by using several materials. The dome is soft to touch, but looks like chrome. I have a set of Polk LS70s and the midrange is a bit too low in tone, because one of the 8" woofers doubles as midrange, but the tweeter is amazing. The super thin metal coating seems to be enough to accurately hit those sharper sounds, but doesn't have enough mass to ring on (which can cause annoyance in metal dome tweeters.) I'm talking about buttery smooth roll off, with yet still extended and very detailed treble.
Hi Kelvin, I just re subbed to your channel. You dropped off for awhile and I was growing concerned that something bad had happened to you. I'm happy to see you back at it.
Love these vintage BBC inspired speakers. Used to have LS4a's, with the aluminium dome tweeter. Not really bad but nothing special. They were replaced by Royd Apex which I think also used the same soft dome (Scanspeak?) tweeter as the LS2.
I also have a pair from the '80s.. overall fantastic, but the low frequencies are a little 'pushed' with the ported cavity.. but for the size.. they are great. Many seem to like the ported-cavity bass sound
Wow! Hoooray! You have been absent so long! I am happy you are back! I really was worried...Are you well? Healthy? I wish you the best and hope to see you on a regularly basis again!
ALL CAPS JOE HERE AGAIN. LOVEE YOUR VIDEOS. THANKS FOR THE AUDIOPHILE POINTS OF VIEW. THEY WANTED TO USED METAL DOME TWEETERS BECAUSE THE PLASTIC ONES SOUNDED SOOOO GOOD PEOPLE WOULD PUMP THEM UP AND BLOW THEM AND THEY LEARNED THE METAL DOMES COULD DISDIPATE HEAT AND NOT BLOW. BUT SOUNDED HORRIBLE. SO HOW DO YOU FIX THE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC DOMEBTWEETERS BLOWING. YOU ADD MORE. YOU MAKE A SPEAKER WITH 2 OR 4 PLASTIC DOME TWEEYERS AND NO ONE WILL BLOW THEM THAT'S THE RIGHT FIX. NOT MAKING THEM METAL
Hi, love these vintage equipment reviews. Keep them coming. What brand and model is that tweeter? Also when you cover recapping speakers, presumably you'll recommend doing this as an upgrade but can you also cover when old caps might need replacing because they're... well.. old and degraded. And also cover the aging of electrolytic vs film/ceramic caps? Thanks
I think the tweeters are Vifa D19TD05-08. I got that model number off the Willys HiFi web site, while looking at a photo that looks just like these. I've got some that are similar (or the same) in my Mission 761's (from 1989) and their spec sheet describe the tweeters as 19mm ferrofluid cooled dome tweeters. If you read the Willys Hi-Fi page for the model number I quoted you'll see the description matches my Mission's, and that they mention they were used by plenty of brands in that era.
I experimented for several years with midrange drivers; mostly. Taking out the original midrange or mid/bass drivers of certain speakers and screwing in more expensive modern drivers. The original drivers (mostly 1990s speakers) always sounded strained in comparison. Of course the new drivers I was putting in were probably more costly, than what they'd give you in your usual $200 bookshelf speaker from the 1990s. So more expensive drivers were giving me cleaner sound. The modern drivers were marvels of purity and cleanness, but there were some older, not as clean sounding drivers, that just sounded a bit more genuine. Like vintage tube amps are not particularly pure sounding, but you like the timbre anyway, because it's smooth and nothing is offensive about it. I do think driver technology has definitely improved, if you go a little higher up the price scale, but speakers from the 1980s like the KEF Reference 101 and the Ohm Walsh 2 still can provide a deeply enjoyable listen, even if their drivers are not the last word in sonic purity. They're good enough in that way; unless you are either spoiled in that aspect, or think purity of sound is the most important thing. It seems like clarity is the main goal with modern speakers. With the older speakers, accuacy and right amount of warmth were bigger concerns.
I wouldn't say cookers or fridges have improved or microwave.. before I bought my new microwave the Toshiba that was 35 years old, then I bought a Samsung just lasted a year and a half and at the moment I'm on a Panasonic that's about a year old we'll see about that one!! I've got a fridge that's 30 years old I don't think you'll get a modern fridge lasting that old
Hi Kelvin. Hope you're well. The speaker has rather a large baffle for its size which could affect its imaging properties. Second of all I honestly think that speaker manufacturers have become obsessed by killing waves within their loudspeaker enclosures. Dead means exactly that, however I believe a certain amount of reverberation helps a box to sound alive. The old, huge Tannoys were nothing more than dense 6 sided boxes, ported and filled with rock wool and fitted with one of their famous dual concentric 12 or 15 inch drivers, and they sounded amazing, as do the Audionote J's and the older KEF's: it's as if they could breathe. The bigger speakers by companies like Focal, Monitor Audio and Elac sound constricted, without flow, and unnatural in comparison. Just walk into the control room of a good recording studio and because it's a near acoustically dead space, your voice becomes very flat and without emotion and that is because they have non parallel walls and ceiling to cut down on "standing waves" and also acoustically absorbent materials to deaden reverberation within the room. It's a great place to monitor music but paradoxically it doesn't make a great listening room as that requires the space to be more "live" and natural and I personally believe the same applies to loudspeakers. One can measure this, that and the third and probably come up with the optimum enclosure, but that differs greatly from the optimal one. Keep well, my friend. 🙏👍👍
Hi Kelvin, really enjoy your video's but not seen anything from you in a while now so hope you are ok. I've recently got 13 Audiolab 8000 series separates left to me after an old relative passed away and would really like to know your opinion of them. I have set up 4 of the units that I'm using as my main system, the 8000CDM, 8000DAC, 8000S, 8000PX & Monitor Audio 703 PCM floor standers and think it all sounds pretty damn good!
Much love to Kelvin for the video and to the wider Stereo Review X community! _Kelvin Will you be recording a video of when you go see Ben in Brighton_ ? I feel it could make for great content for this community we have here, only a casual thing, camera setup at the both of you having a casual chat, ya know your usual magic
Ciao Kelvin, i’ve learned ti tap the speakeraggio cone by you to figure out about the kind of sound they do, it’s interesting to find how it is near the tap to the sound played by them.
Good morning Mr Kelvin, was the LS2 model designed by Andy Whittle? I was at Rogers invited by Mr O'Brien in those years and met Whittle. He was a journalist for the Italian audio magazine Suono and I was always among the first to test the new Rogers models arriving in Italy. I don't remember the LS2,
Love your videos, Kelvin. I have the Monitor Audio MA4 which is similar, and you can certainly guess what style, and quality of sound to expect based on the drivers and age of speaker. I'd love to know what you think about using two pairs of speakers at the same time for a fuller frequency range. I use the MA4 and a large Pioneer set of speakers which, to me, sounds as live as the real thing, whatever type of music is played.
Hi 👋 How about a conversation about tubes and solid state amplification? Tubes have become popular again especially with the availability of lower priced amplifiers from Chinese sellers. Great content!
Your video is very interesting. it would be great if you could make a post about bowers&wilkins 606 s2. How they look in the context of the good old vintage (rogers ls, kef, monitor sound, bowers wilkins dm4, etc.
Really enjoying your channel. Are you Ok? havent seen a recent posting. I asked a few questions on previous postings, but am sure you dont have time to answer questions since this is your hobby. Your older posts about sansui show low prices - working, tested vintage stuff is getting up there. Just spent 350 on a Sansui 4000 from 1970, and am curious how it will compete with my ' 77 Sx 750 pioneer. Thanks for your opinions and education.
Hi Kelvin Long time ago you reviewed B&W DM4, a wonderful vintage speaker that I also have. Not so long ago I also got my hands on B&W DM2a including stands (priced £143), an even better speaker - Have you considered reviewing that one? Keep on with these fine videos 🙂 BR Jørgen (DK)
Kelvin there is nothing wrong Metal Dome tweeters. Providing they are not partnered to very bright sounding equipment they are highly listenable. Do reveal a little more detail from the high end. Got many sets of B&W speakers with the metal dome tweeters and honestly worlds apart from the earlier soft dome tweeters. Really good match to the bass/mid drivers drivers used. So the dm 560,570 and 580 all provide a pleasing sound. Not for everyone I agree but to write off metal dome is just ridiculous.
I luv this Channel! Any thoughts please on Castle Sterling speakers, like are good or not. I recently picked up a pair, I know nothing about them. Probably pretty uncommon to find these in Canada is all.
Great review Kelvin, delving into the world of recapping, love this world 20+ year old Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors lose their rated capacity often by quite a bit ie 20%+ In a crossover this in accuracy will lead to the crossover point changing over time I've recapped a pair of 1993 Rogers LS8a's, replaced the woofer(s) iron core inductors with open core of same value and resistance (these are huge as a result), kept the tweater air cored inductors but replaced the Electrolytic caps with film capacitors (much faster) The difference is day and night, the Rogers sound is still there, but everything came alive LS8a's with dual woofers both sealed now has snappy deep base, mids are more defined instruments are in their own places and female voices are silky the Aluminnum tweater I dont mind, silk dome has a nicer spread out symbol sounds but less initial 'ting' I have also just started the recap of my Denon 1500R amp which too is making a big difference to the above, will now do all the smaller caps, the speakers are keeping up with these changes and blown away at the things I never heard before You have got me thinking about possibly repacing the tweater with something else, some food for thought Anywho your video's are inpiring me to tinker with older gear and bringing them back to sonic bliss
Hi thank you for the very kind and valuable sharing the results of your cheap gems hunting I can speak only for myself but I am much more intrigued by finding the once called Best Buys than watching the next review of the multi thousand speakers of the day I grew up in the 80s reading avidly Hifi Choice and What Hifi I have just one doubt about drivers lifetime Would a driver material degrade with time? Plastics have this kind of issue I guess paper cones much less And metal even less of course Thanks again and kind regards Gino
My guess would be the more rigid cone materials simply won’t degrade the foam can degrade for sure and speakers can go off centre and start rubbing against the magnet that happens
@@stereoreviewx hi thank you for the very kind and valuable advice I love your videos about old British speakers My first speakers were the Mission 70 of which i liked the dynamic and the clarity I think that they had the same Vifa 19mm tweeter Thanks a lot again Kind regards gino
Were the modifications replacing the caps with identical caps, better caps of the same values or making changes in the values? I have a pair of LS2s and don't know how they might compare with your modded pair.
i enjoy your videos and i am not saying your wrong but that elac speaker you talked about alot of people like and they probably dont go back far as you do i am currious why do you think people like the elacs and other budget modern speakers thanks for putting out videos i very much enjoy them thanks
Hi Kevin top job what ur doing😊 I am new to vintage Hi Fi and need help, I have recently bought a Sony ps1350 turntable with moving magnet. Can u tell me what’s the best vintage amp I can get I want to spend £150-£300. Thanks again for the work u do
I think speaker design went wrong when they stopped using the things that worked paper driver's silk tweeters and using other materials that do deliver just create new markets the ribbon tweeter is classic very detailed but bright I think it's all about making money my spendor bc1 ain't got nothing to worry about
Where are you ? You did a effing good thing so far. Everybody is missing you.
You did the finest job a man can do. Meaning forward your experience to the next generation
literally preventing them from starting at zero again.
I hope youre fine man.
Makes my day here in northern Michigan a little warmer to see a new review from London's very own Kelvin @Stereo review x. Cool, thanks for sharing 👍
Hey Jon from London.🤗
Welcome back to THE honest reviewer
Filter welcome to the fold
C'mon Kelvin, please don't go quiet on us again...
Yes, we miss your videos!
And he has...........
Miss you a lot Kelvin
@@AlexMit-yj7rp Would be nice to see him again but perhaps he has got as far as he needs to now with his audio gear and is happy with what he now has and is no longer buying?
Hope you are still around ...In our age one day the one is here next day not anymore...Hope you are fine and well....
I loved your passionate review style Kelvin. My Sansui's 317 and 331 are still going strong.
Thank you Kelvin, looking forward to the next one! 🎉
He’s refreshing and uplifting to watch is our Mr K. Explains it simply and has likability ….which goes a long way in life in my opinion. ❤
Come back Kelvin, you have an unique channel and style.
I own a par of these - they’re superb! They don’t like high volumes (they clip), but driven by my Audiolab 8000a, and either a 1969 Thorens TD165 or 1984 Marantz CD54 CD player, I’m really pleased with them! The only speakers I’d replace them with are the Rogers JR149s, which I heard on demo once, and was blown away by!
It is a pleasure hearing you talking...
Hi kelvin
I really enjoyed all your videos, but haven’t seen you for over 3 months since this one?
I really hope your ok and return very soon with some more excellent hi-fi videos for me to enjoy! Best wishes from Paul 😊
Ps. How about a vintage turntable feature, that would be really good! 😊👍
Hi Kelvin, thanks for the review. I think you got it spot on with the materials and how they influence the sound. I also agree that often you can look at a speaker and kind of imagine how it will sound like. No 100% guarantee obvious, but it is a good indicator. And Oh, the modern speakers... I do not like them. I think I know what is going on though: Obsession with a frequency curve that is straight as an arrow. The internal volume (physical size, not SPL) has to be as small as possible. And the base has to go very deep. The result is a speaker that has a bad efficiency. To overcome that on paper, they make them 4 Ohm or less so when they, incorrectly, specify the efficiency based on voltage, rather than power, you gain a few dB. But the speaker becomes a bitch to drive and sounds awful.
👍 thanks Kevin, good review. I agree that the metal tweeters spoiled the ls series. Good to see you back, you’re on a roll.
South of France enjoying this video.just found a pair going second hand just down the road
Viva la StereoReviewX!
🙋♂️GREETINGS,THANKS KELVIN, FOR SHARING THIS WITH US, and I love ❤️ your Lava lamp running 💯😎💚💚💚
Happy to see you again.Thanks Kelvin
Good to see you again! I'm taking in the next episode :)
This is building into a wonderful set of comparative speaker reviews. Your opinion of the Quad LS speakers prompted me to replace mine. You were right and my new ones have been much better.
Baffled by the world
of speakers!!
"Baffled" I see what you did there.
Baddum tshh!
Very much looking forward to your field trip @freakingaudio Kelvin.
Agree with you regarding new speakers. Most are rubbish!
I bought the LS7’s about 2 yrs ago after your review - love them - in my main system
Another great video Kelvin. As someone who spends half there life recapping / rebuilding and upgrading crossovers its definitely not a case of whacking in a load of poly caps like many people do just because the values are the same. You can make or break a speaker depending on the components used. Look forward to you meeting with Ben.
Cheers. Matt
I've had a few pairs of LS2a in for repair and your right about the tweeter. The metal dome is not as good. I upgraded the last pair I had and the difference was pretty amazing. That polypropylene woofer is a decent unit. ruclips.net/video/Hx_7OuXg2PE/видео.html&feature=shares
Hi
I am looking for a speaker with ls3/5a sound yust a bit larger sounding . Can you help ?
Thank you
Reinhart
@@reinhartfrais8549 Look at the Roger's LS3/6 , Export Monitor and Studio 1. The Spendor BC1 is probably your best bet
I speak for myself and probably many others. We are not happy 😂. It's been three months since this latest review and we want more. I don't always agree with you but that doesn't mean I don't want to watch and listen to your comments on the good, the bad and the ugly. We are suffering withdrawal symptoms and it's not good. MORE PLEASE!!!
I hope Kelvin is well?
A friend of mine just acquired a pair of Rogers LS6 in a trade and he loves them. I always had a fondness for the original Rogers LS7 (not the later LS7T) . Those traditional British speaker makers sure knew how to get the all important midrange right.
Ben here. I have done the same treatment to a pair of LS6 as the LS2, and I they turned out very well IMO. They were my workshop reference speakers for about a year, and had I not sold them, they would have been the ones I gave to Kelvin to review.
Excellent review (as usual) 👍
So glad you are back!
Nice review Kelvin. I recently revamped my Linn Index MK1 speakers by replacing the awful tweeter with the same Mission/Vifa tweeters and replacing the crossover with a pair of old JPW mini monitor ones that I had lying around. 90% better sound. The stock Index sounded dire. How Linn could get away selling a speaker like that I'll never know. Apparently the Index MK2 is a lot better.
Nice review mate. I had the LS7's for years. Very nice speakers. Huge magnets inside. Shame I don't have the space to keep everything.
Great episode as always!
Another great video Kelvin! I am still laughing about "Nothing Burger" I haven't heard that in YEARS. I have to start using that one again! I wonder if speaker technology hit a wall at some point. I still want to get my old Kef 104.2's from 1985 redone. They were warm and detailed. They use the Kef B110 as the mid range drivers. Nice to see you Kelvin!
Have to agree with you on metal dome tweeters. I've never heard one I liked the sound of. They're tiring to listen to, and I much prefer silk domes.
Thanks, as always, for another entertaining and informative video Kelvin!
Yes Kelvin, your public awaits. I like old school reviews and miss yours!!
Brilliant review
Where are you man! hope you are well
Hello there, Kelvin! Been a while since your last video, you must have a big stash of videos due for releasing any time now! Just re watched your Leak amp and LS7 speakers videos, i still use them in my set up. What about comparing tuners with each other? My best tuner is a Leak Delta tuner from the 70's, fantastic reception, blows away more modern ones from JVC and Arcam.
Awesome. I'm listening to this through my 1989 Mission 761 speakers (also re-cap'd) and right at the start I was like "hang on, I recognise those tweeters!"
I love 'em. When looking for information on my 761's I frequently found the tweeters described as "ferrofluid cooled 19 mm dome tweeters". I think they were made by Vifa.
I'm looking forward to videos you might make with Ben, Kelvin. Somebody else you might be interested to chat to is Andrew at Anapeach, who restores vintage speakers for a living. He restored my Mission 761's, giving them a full re-wiring and new components in the crossovers. He also re-foams woofers, and does cabinet restoration. He's also a lovely guy, very nice to deal with.
Interesting, thanks
Hey buddy, I am so glad to see you back on RUclips. I Got a bit worried about you there for a while. I started listening to your RUclips broadcast a few years back and ended up purchasing a Sansui 711 based on your recommendation. Wrote you about that. Anyway, I have since purchased another Sansui; Eight Deluxe, again based on your recommendations. Lol. But all that is really not important.
What is Truly amazing to me is how invested I am in listening to not only your evaluations, but you in general, even though I have never met you personally. I am sure that I as well as many others also felt a since of loss while you were off of RUclips recently.
I listen to a lot different folks on RUclips🎉, but for some reason I feel a since of kindred or “friendship” toward you that I find most unexpected. Maybe it is because of the shared interest in vintage audio equipment. However, I am truly glad you are well and back on RUclips. We all enjoy and appreciate your analysis on the various audio equipment, etc., but I for one just want to express my appreciation not only for your analysis, but for you in general.
Anyway, hope you don’t find this comment too nutty. But keep up the good work and great channel.
I mirror your feelings which you put so eloquently. He really does feel like a friend as his chats are so casual and genuine, it's rare these days for someone to be genuine, perhaps only those closest to us. Good to have you here :)
Thanks S. Nice to hear. I tried to keep it real
In fact, it was listening to, and reading all a load of nonsense that made me start his channel cheers K
Another fantastic video Kevin. Thank you Kevin 🙂.
Hi Kelvin,
I enjoy your videos and hearing your experienced opinion on new speakers compared to the vintage stuff. I got into Hifi when I inherited an old Marantz PM7000 & set of Heybrook HB1’s (Not spectacular but a nice combo). I am now 3 years into my Hifi journey with my first purchase comprising of the Cambridge Audio CXA 81 and Wharfedale Evo 4.2. The Wharfedales are a really beautiful speaker to look at and I think the combination with the CA amp is a great pairing, working together to create an enjoyable, wide soundscape. The 4.2’s are a 3 way speaker featuring a ribbon tweeter and dome midrange. I would enjoy hearing your opinion on them should you ever get the chance to trial them.
Highs sound good to me.
Midrange is outstanding. I really get the "in the room feel" from instruments, vocals, synths etc.
Lower Mid/Upper Bass region can be a little weak sounding on some tracks.
Bass is full bodied but lacks in definition and can be perceived a slow sounding on uptempo tracks.
On certain songs they really amaze me, sounds seem to float around the room, lifelike vocals you can almost touch. They have a smooth, non fatiguing character but on certain songs they can lack in speed and I feel like I would enjoy a touch more brightness.
I tried the Marantz amp with the 4.2’s and the sound was very narrow, dark, overly warm and not good at all. The Heybrooks sounded a little too clinical for my tastes on the CA amp.
All the best, keep up the great work. Us enthusiasts really enjoy your input.
Thanks Kelvin! I hope you do this more often!
Polk had a wonderful tweeter in the early 90s. Very detailed, but never annoying. It was a soft dome tweeter, basically sprinkled with an extremely thin coating of stainless steel and two other rare metals. I can't remember the process (something like electroplating), but it was a brilliant idea to get the the best of different frequencies reproduction (where each material shines) by using several materials. The dome is soft to touch, but looks like chrome. I have a set of Polk LS70s and the midrange is a bit too low in tone, because one of the 8" woofers doubles as midrange, but the tweeter is amazing. The super thin metal coating seems to be enough to accurately hit those sharper sounds, but doesn't have enough mass to ring on (which can cause annoyance in metal dome tweeters.) I'm talking about buttery smooth roll off, with yet still extended and very detailed treble.
👍👍👍 Thank you for this new review !!!
No problem 👍
Kelvin you are missed. I hope you're well. I continue watching your videos, we hope to see you again very soon.
Hi Kelvin, I just re subbed to your channel. You dropped off for awhile and I was growing concerned that something bad had happened to you. I'm happy to see you back at it.
Haven’t got time for youtube recently, liked and saved it for later.
Love these vintage BBC inspired speakers. Used to have LS4a's, with the aluminium dome tweeter. Not really bad but nothing special. They were replaced by Royd Apex which I think also used the same soft dome (Scanspeak?) tweeter as the LS2.
come on back Kelvin , we love your reviews hope all is well, take care
I also have a pair from the '80s.. overall fantastic, but the low frequencies are a little 'pushed' with the ported cavity.. but for the size.. they are great. Many seem to like the ported-cavity bass sound
Wow! Hoooray! You have been absent so long! I am happy you are back! I really was worried...Are you well? Healthy? I wish you the best and hope to see you on a regularly basis again!
I’m fine thanks a lot mate, I’m just busy with some other stuff you know
Hi Kelvin, always enjoy your Channel love your down to earth opinion.
Let the music play Brother
ALL CAPS JOE HERE AGAIN. LOVEE YOUR VIDEOS. THANKS FOR THE AUDIOPHILE POINTS OF VIEW. THEY WANTED TO USED METAL DOME TWEETERS BECAUSE THE PLASTIC ONES SOUNDED SOOOO GOOD PEOPLE WOULD PUMP THEM UP AND BLOW THEM AND THEY LEARNED THE METAL DOMES COULD DISDIPATE HEAT AND NOT BLOW. BUT SOUNDED HORRIBLE. SO HOW DO YOU FIX THE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC DOMEBTWEETERS BLOWING. YOU ADD MORE. YOU MAKE A SPEAKER WITH 2 OR 4 PLASTIC DOME TWEEYERS AND NO ONE WILL BLOW THEM THAT'S THE RIGHT FIX. NOT MAKING THEM METAL
Hi, love these vintage equipment reviews. Keep them coming.
What brand and model is that tweeter?
Also when you cover recapping speakers, presumably you'll recommend doing this as an upgrade but can you also cover when old caps might need replacing because they're... well.. old and degraded. And also cover the aging of electrolytic vs film/ceramic caps?
Thanks
I think the tweeters are Vifa D19TD05-08. I got that model number off the Willys HiFi web site, while looking at a photo that looks just like these. I've got some that are similar (or the same) in my Mission 761's (from 1989) and their spec sheet describe the tweeters as 19mm ferrofluid cooled dome tweeters. If you read the Willys Hi-Fi page for the model number I quoted you'll see the description matches my Mission's, and that they mention they were used by plenty of brands in that era.
@@GrahamAtDesk great thanks. It was purely out of interest. I'll check the site out too 👍
Thanks, I will try to cover all issues without getting Uber technical
One ofvtye very few early metal dome tweeters was to be found on the Monitor Audio 20 SE really refined gorgeous little floor stander
Thank you Kelvin. :)
I've just got a Linn Wakonda pre amp and together with my LK85 and Cyrus Smartpower plus power amps my Linn Katan speakers have taken on a new depth.
7:11 Manufacturer's dont want improvements, they want sales and profits.
I experimented for several years with midrange drivers; mostly. Taking out the original midrange or mid/bass drivers of certain speakers and screwing in more expensive modern drivers. The original drivers (mostly 1990s speakers) always sounded strained in comparison. Of course the new drivers I was putting in were probably more costly, than what they'd give you in your usual $200 bookshelf speaker from the 1990s. So more expensive drivers were giving me cleaner sound. The modern drivers were marvels of purity and cleanness, but there were some older, not as clean sounding drivers, that just sounded a bit more genuine. Like vintage tube amps are not particularly pure sounding, but you like the timbre anyway, because it's smooth and nothing is offensive about it. I do think driver technology has definitely improved, if you go a little higher up the price scale, but speakers from the 1980s like the KEF Reference 101 and the Ohm Walsh 2 still can provide a deeply enjoyable listen, even if their drivers are not the last word in sonic purity. They're good enough in that way; unless you are either spoiled in that aspect, or think purity of sound is the most important thing. It seems like clarity is the main goal with modern speakers. With the older speakers, accuacy and right amount of warmth were bigger concerns.
I wouldn't say cookers or fridges have improved or microwave.. before I bought my new microwave the Toshiba that was 35 years old, then I bought a Samsung just lasted a year and a half and at the moment I'm on a Panasonic that's about a year old we'll see about that one!! I've got a fridge that's 30 years old I don't think you'll get a modern fridge lasting that old
I totally agree. Ourfridge is like 20 years old. My friend bought modern samsung and broke after 4 years
You’re right, I regretted it as I said it at some things have improved a lot. I cars in the 70s were pretty bad.
Good to see you again Kelvin
Hi Kelvin. Hope you're well.
The speaker has rather a large baffle for its size which could affect its imaging properties. Second of all I honestly think that speaker manufacturers have become obsessed by killing waves within their loudspeaker enclosures. Dead means exactly that, however I believe a certain amount of reverberation helps a box to sound alive. The old, huge Tannoys were nothing more than dense 6 sided boxes, ported and filled with rock wool and fitted with one of their famous dual concentric 12 or 15 inch drivers, and they sounded amazing, as do the Audionote J's and the older KEF's: it's as if they could breathe. The bigger speakers by companies like Focal, Monitor Audio and Elac sound constricted, without flow, and unnatural in comparison.
Just walk into the control room of a good recording studio and because it's a near acoustically dead space, your voice becomes very flat and without emotion and that is because they have non parallel walls and ceiling to cut down on "standing waves" and also acoustically absorbent materials to deaden reverberation within the room. It's a great place to monitor music but paradoxically it doesn't make a great listening room as that requires the space to be more "live" and natural and I personally believe the same applies to loudspeakers.
One can measure this, that and the third and probably come up with the optimum enclosure, but that differs greatly from the optimal one.
Keep well, my friend. 🙏👍👍
Yes I pretty much agree with you I mean a concrete speaker enclosure should technically be good by now for sure I won’t sound good
Hi Kelvin, really enjoy your video's but not seen anything from you in a while now so hope you are ok.
I've recently got 13 Audiolab 8000 series separates left to me after an old relative passed away and would really like to know your opinion of them.
I have set up 4 of the units that I'm using as my main system, the 8000CDM, 8000DAC, 8000S, 8000PX & Monitor Audio 703 PCM floor standers and think it all sounds pretty damn good!
Look forward to the re-capping video
Much love to Kelvin for the video and to the wider Stereo Review X community! _Kelvin Will you be recording a video of when you go see Ben in Brighton_ ? I feel it could make for great content for this community we have here, only a casual thing, camera setup at the both of you having a casual chat, ya know your usual magic
Yeah, I won’t be like Jeremy Paxman
Cool video, thank you. PS- I like the way you keep the bit of gear you're discussing in frame. Way too many talking heads in RUclips hi-fi land.
Nice one, you are totally right the quality of most things today is terrible.
hi Calvin...that main driver looks exactly like the Spendor S100 midrange speaker...
Well it might be, I wouldn’t argue, but I don’t know for sure
Brilliant YOUR BACK 🥳👍👍👍
Kelvin, I just found this again and you’ve gone again. Come back!
Ciao Kelvin, i’ve learned ti tap the speakeraggio cone by you to figure out about the kind of sound they do, it’s interesting to find how it is near the tap to the sound played by them.
Good morning Mr Kelvin, was the LS2 model designed by Andy Whittle? I was at Rogers invited by Mr O'Brien in those years and met Whittle. He was a journalist for the Italian audio magazine Suono and I was always among the first to test the new Rogers models arriving in Italy. I don't remember the LS2,
Keep making videos man! They're great! It's been 5 months?!?! You're not done are you??
Love your videos, Kelvin. I have the Monitor Audio MA4 which is similar, and you can certainly guess what style, and quality of sound to expect based on the drivers and age of speaker. I'd love to know what you think about using two pairs of speakers at the same time for a fuller frequency range. I use the MA4 and a large Pioneer set of speakers which, to me, sounds as live as the real thing, whatever type of music is played.
Now don’t call me a snob, but I’m unlikely to use two pairs of speakers at the same time unless I’m having a party😀
I have the same exact speaker which I found at a GoodWill store for about 10.00 USD. I think they sound quite nice.
Hi 👋
How about a conversation about tubes and solid state amplification?
Tubes have become popular again especially with the availability of lower priced amplifiers from Chinese sellers.
Great content!
Glad to see you again 👍
Your video is very interesting. it would be great if you could make a post about bowers&wilkins 606 s2. How they look in the context of the good old vintage (rogers ls, kef, monitor sound, bowers wilkins dm4, etc.
Have not heard from you for a while. How are you?
Really enjoying your channel. Are you Ok? havent seen a recent posting. I asked a few questions on previous postings, but am sure you dont have time to answer questions since this is your hobby. Your older posts about sansui show low prices - working, tested vintage stuff is getting up there. Just spent 350 on a Sansui 4000 from 1970, and am curious how it will compete with my ' 77 Sx 750 pioneer. Thanks for your opinions and education.
Hi Kelvin
Long time ago you reviewed B&W DM4, a wonderful vintage speaker that I also have. Not so long ago I also got my hands on B&W DM2a including stands (priced £143), an even better speaker - Have you considered reviewing that one? Keep on with these fine videos 🙂
BR Jørgen (DK)
Thank you Kelvin !!!!!
Listened to some Rogers in a shop late 90’s. I remember the selling describing them as more fruity 👍🌈
Kelvin there is nothing wrong Metal Dome tweeters. Providing they are not partnered to very bright sounding equipment they are highly listenable. Do reveal a little more detail from the high end. Got many sets of B&W speakers with the metal dome tweeters and honestly worlds apart from the earlier soft dome tweeters. Really good match to the bass/mid drivers drivers used. So the dm 560,570 and 580 all provide a pleasing sound. Not for everyone I agree but to write off metal dome is just ridiculous.
I luv this Channel!
Any thoughts please on Castle Sterling speakers, like are good or not. I recently picked up a pair, I know nothing about them. Probably pretty uncommon to find these in Canada is all.
Kelvin!!! We miss you, what happened to you? Cheers from Angola!
Miss your reviews Kevin
can we also find the midwoofer in the rogers ls2a? Thank you
Great your back
OK, Where did the master of modern and ancient audio vanish to now???
Great review Kelvin, delving into the world of recapping, love this world
20+ year old Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors lose their rated capacity often by quite a bit ie 20%+
In a crossover this in accuracy will lead to the crossover point changing over time
I've recapped a pair of 1993 Rogers LS8a's, replaced the woofer(s) iron core inductors with open core of same value and resistance (these are huge as a result), kept the tweater air cored inductors but replaced the Electrolytic caps with film capacitors (much faster)
The difference is day and night, the Rogers sound is still there, but everything came alive
LS8a's with dual woofers both sealed now has snappy deep base, mids are more defined instruments are in their own places and female voices are silky the Aluminnum tweater I dont mind, silk dome has a nicer spread out symbol sounds but less initial 'ting'
I have also just started the recap of my Denon 1500R amp which too is making a big difference to the above, will now do all the smaller caps, the speakers are keeping up with these changes and blown away at the things I never heard before
You have got me thinking about possibly repacing the tweater with something else, some food for thought
Anywho your video's are inpiring me to tinker with older gear and bringing them back to sonic bliss
Hi thank you for the very kind and valuable sharing the results of your cheap gems hunting I can speak only for myself but I am much more intrigued by finding the once called Best Buys than watching the next review of the multi thousand speakers of the day
I grew up in the 80s reading avidly Hifi Choice and What Hifi
I have just one doubt about drivers lifetime Would a driver material degrade with time? Plastics have this kind of issue I guess paper cones much less And metal even less of course Thanks again and kind regards Gino
My guess would be the more rigid cone materials simply won’t degrade the foam can degrade for sure and speakers can go off centre and start rubbing against the magnet that happens
@@stereoreviewx hi thank you for the very kind and valuable advice
I love your videos about old British speakers My first speakers were the Mission 70 of which i liked the dynamic and the clarity I think that they had the same Vifa 19mm tweeter
Thanks a lot again Kind regards gino
Were the modifications replacing the caps with identical caps, better caps of the same values or making changes in the values? I have a pair of LS2s and don't know how they might compare with your modded pair.
That driver does look suspiciously similar to the (albeit doped paper) mid on my Ditton 44s - which coincidentally I re-capped very recently.
Yes, but I don’t think it is
@@stereoreviewx On closer inspection, you're right - there are quite a few differences. I was fooled by the appearance from the front 👍
I would like to send you some of my vintage speakers for review. I think it would be awesome!
Is it my imagination or is there no reviews of the Scan-Dyna A45 on youtube?
i enjoy your videos and i am not saying your wrong but that elac speaker you talked about alot of people like and they probably dont go back far as you do i am currious why do you think people like the elacs and other budget modern speakers thanks for putting out videos i very much enjoy them thanks
Hi Kevin top job what ur doing😊 I am new to vintage Hi Fi and need help, I have recently bought a Sony ps1350 turntable with moving magnet. Can u tell me what’s the best vintage amp I can get I want to spend £150-£300. Thanks again for the work u do
You need to be more here Kelvin
Hi Kelvin could you review a Leak Stereo 20 from the 60's
I think speaker design went wrong when they stopped using the things that worked paper driver's silk tweeters and using other materials that do deliver just create new markets the ribbon tweeter is classic very detailed but bright I think it's all about making money my spendor bc1 ain't got nothing to worry about
🤔KELVIN,WE HAVE NOT HEARD 👂 FROM YOU FOR 7 MONTHS…IS EVERYTHING OKAY 🤷♂️