SpeakerTalk

[horace]

Hi

My first post on this forum.

Greetings from Aberdeenshire.

Hoping that some kind soul might be willing to give me some advice with the following:

I have a pair of Linn Isobariks (circa 1980). The B110s mounted horizontally in the top of the speakers have been exposed to a great deal of sunlight over the last twenty-odd years and have begun to sag quite noticeably as gravity takes its toll. Furthermore, the rubber now looks matted and rather sad. They seem to sound OK, but I'd like to get hold of a replacement pair or maybe have them reconed.

Does anyone know if the Monacor units (SPH135?) currently available really are a good B110 replacement?
What about reconing - Is it worth the money and if so who does a good job?

Used B110s seems to be a good business to be in right now - but not if you're buying - ouch, look at those prices!

Many thanks for your time

horace (AKA Martin, in sunny Scotland - praying for rain before the well runs dry).
________
[URL=http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_(third_generation)]Honda civic (third generation) history[/URL]

[terry]

[horace]

You have confirmed my suspicions.
I'll look out for some used B110s.

I am in Ythanbank (near Ellon). Are you nearby?

Thanks again for the advice.

Martin
________
Herbalaire Vaporizer

[terry]

Martin
I live in Bridge of Don.
If I can be of help let me know.
Terry

[horace]

Yes, Isobariks are wonderful - by far the best speakers I have owned. Shame they're so UGLY - my wife is a designer and hates the look of the briks with a passion. But she does love their sound.
Anyone who thinks LS35As are insensitive or hard to drive ought to pity the poor brik owner. These beasties eat amps for breakfast! My LK280 is rated at 80wpc into 8 ohms / 160wpc into 4 ohms - just about enough!
I won't ever part with mine - unless I get an offer on a later pair with external xovers.
Funnily enough, I bought my briks about 6 months ago from a guy in Fraserburgh. He had them in a room that was barely 8 foot square. they sounded horrible, but four new (used) tweeters later, bliss.
I've never heard a speaker drive a big room quite as well. Oh, and they go LOUD without strain or nastiness. And that BASS. Lovely.

Just about perfect.
And when I die, my wife can put one on top of the other and bury me in the resulting coffin!

Anyway, back to work.

Thanks
Martin
PS - Terry, your offer of help is most welcome. I've been planning to build a subwoofer. I can manage the woodwork, but the rest is a mystery to me. May I drop you a line for some pointers when I get round to starting the project?
I want something to give some real oomph to my surround setup. don't think the briks need any help with music!
Do you know of any good websites with plans for good subs that go very low and aren't too hard to build?

Thanks

Martin
________
CHRYSLER EXECUTIVE SPECIFICATIONS

[terry]

Martin

Thanks for reply. It is strange that some people find Briks ugly. I find them reassuringly solid and 'handsome'. Fashion is fickle! I drift very reluctantly and slowly with changing fashions. People can be persuaded by advertising that almost anything is beautiful or ugly (don't let your wife read this). I fully expect to have Briks some day. I will jump at the chance if a good pair becomes available locally.

I am sure you have seen Dave Dlugos' site at http://www.t-linespeakers.org/. Lots of interesting stuff there including coffin subwoofer design. I have recently been communicating also with someone from Holland who has built a 'coffin' subwoofer with two B139s. He has sent me a few photos which I hope to put up on the website. Also I have had some correspondence recently with someone born in Edinburgh but who has lived in Australia all his life. He has built some nice subwoofers again with B139s as far as I remember. I have photos of them as well. There are also Forums or discussion groups dedicated to subwoofer building. Lots of advice there I suspect. There are also a few contributors to this Forum who have considerable experience in this area. Let's see if we can persuade them to surface to provide advice.

If I can help in some small way I will of course do so. I will be delighted to hear from you again.

Terry

[proffski]

Hello!
Indeed, only use genuine B110s for your lovely Isbariks. I have had two pairs reconed by different agencies, they have both done a great job. Sadly the B110s measure different and sound different, very much so on solo voice. Get yourself genuine KEF units in good condition and enjoy the 'Briks'... As has been said, amazing bass which is REAL, you luck man you!
_________________
I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill

[proffski]

Terry Is quite correct on this matter, he knows his speakers!
The Monacor is a damned fine unit, but still does not match the transient response of either B110 derivatives. The fs is higher for starters.
Reconing is a precise science, the correct cone termination is vital.
As good as some of the services are, I'd not go for that option here.
As Terry says, go for a pair of B110S from EBay. I sadly lost the sale of a pair of Isobariks from Salibury Mecca for a mere £100 many years ago. Hated myself for missing the deal ever since...
One more important point to watch out for. In many of the KEF units sold on EBay a few show signs of delamination of the dapming material from the cone itself. It is easily spotted by the milky white appearance at the start of the cone by the dust cap. BEWARE!
Once it starts delaminating there is no cure.
Again, sunlight seems to be the main culprit here.
THe damping on the Bextrene cones also varied tremendously.
You have a classic pair of magnificent units, keep them that way and forget the Monacor bodge!
_________________
I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill