Okay, okay...you are finally buying some vinyl records at $10-$20 a pop and on the "vinyl sounds better" bandwagon, but does it really on that crappy system you bought?
I have had young hipsters tell me how good their Akai speakers sound and I usually say have you heard them against another speaker?......Crickets is usually the answer. I even donated this pair of JVC SK-202 speakers and the young fellows were blown away by how good the sound was.
I gave these speakers away because they are not worth selling. In fact these were the cheapest built speakers that I have come across in along time.
There are two immediate upgrades you can do to your stereo to get the best sound, the first and best upgrade is the speakers. It is the easiest and most profound upgrade you can make. The second upgrade after you have a decent pair of speakers is the amplifier, a decent amp can compliment a great pair of speakers.
After these two upgrades the laws of diminishing returns start to apply. The next place to spend money may be on the cartridge on your turntable and a good set of speaker wire.
Not all stereo equipment from the 70's and early 80's is golden, there was a lot of crap produced during these times also as major manufactures had some price point systems and rack systems to meet the consumer demands.
So here goes on the type of speakers not to buy..First the JVC SK line as pictured above..Absolute shit.
Here is an example of a pair of Akai speakers that would be at home beside the curb.
Or a pair of Technics.
Here is a pair of Fisher speakers with crappy cone mid range and tweeters, complete with the frequency graph to convince you that they sound smooth.
Any speaker that has a little frequency graph attached to the front or rear baffle is also a pass.
I see lots of this type of speaker being overpriced on Craigslist waiting for unsuspecting buyers to pay too much for their crap because it is now old enough to consider vintage.
So, what does that leave you as a guide as to which speakers are worth the pursuit. Anything that is written on this blog or the Seventies Stereo Blog is a good starting point.
In fact any Japanese speakers besides a few of the higher end offerings from Pioneer (HPM series), Sony (SS-G sereis), Yamaha (NS higher end 3 way's) are worth seeking out.
I was going to sell a young lad at work a nicely paired Rotel receiver with a recently recapped Mission 700 Leading Edge speakers that I re capped with Solen caps, but no... he had to drive an hour in each direction to buy a BCP (Black Plastic Crap) Technics rack system for $90, because he thought it was good deal and he did not want to spend more that what he paid 5 records for. Funny that you would buy 5 records at $20.00 each yet play them on a crappy stereo that costs $90.00.
So what speakers are meant to be avoided?
Anything from Kenwood, Sansui, Fisher, JVC, Technics, Sanyo, Pioneer (except the HPM series), Sony (except some rare SS-E or SS-G Series) In fact most Japanese brands should be glossed over with the exception of some 3 way Yamaha's. Glitzy speakers with a frequency graph attached to front are also a indicator of pure crap.
I have had young hipsters tell me how good their Akai speakers sound and I usually say have you heard them against another speaker?......Crickets is usually the answer. I even donated this pair of JVC SK-202 speakers and the young fellows were blown away by how good the sound was.
I gave these speakers away because they are not worth selling. In fact these were the cheapest built speakers that I have come across in along time.
There are two immediate upgrades you can do to your stereo to get the best sound, the first and best upgrade is the speakers. It is the easiest and most profound upgrade you can make. The second upgrade after you have a decent pair of speakers is the amplifier, a decent amp can compliment a great pair of speakers.
After these two upgrades the laws of diminishing returns start to apply. The next place to spend money may be on the cartridge on your turntable and a good set of speaker wire.
Not all stereo equipment from the 70's and early 80's is golden, there was a lot of crap produced during these times also as major manufactures had some price point systems and rack systems to meet the consumer demands.
So here goes on the type of speakers not to buy..First the JVC SK line as pictured above..Absolute shit.
Here is an example of a pair of Akai speakers that would be at home beside the curb.
Or a pair of Technics.
Here is a pair of Fisher speakers with crappy cone mid range and tweeters, complete with the frequency graph to convince you that they sound smooth.
Any speaker that has a little frequency graph attached to the front or rear baffle is also a pass.
I see lots of this type of speaker being overpriced on Craigslist waiting for unsuspecting buyers to pay too much for their crap because it is now old enough to consider vintage.
So, what does that leave you as a guide as to which speakers are worth the pursuit. Anything that is written on this blog or the Seventies Stereo Blog is a good starting point.
In fact any Japanese speakers besides a few of the higher end offerings from Pioneer (HPM series), Sony (SS-G sereis), Yamaha (NS higher end 3 way's) are worth seeking out.
I was going to sell a young lad at work a nicely paired Rotel receiver with a recently recapped Mission 700 Leading Edge speakers that I re capped with Solen caps, but no... he had to drive an hour in each direction to buy a BCP (Black Plastic Crap) Technics rack system for $90, because he thought it was good deal and he did not want to spend more that what he paid 5 records for. Funny that you would buy 5 records at $20.00 each yet play them on a crappy stereo that costs $90.00.
So what speakers are meant to be avoided?
Anything from Kenwood, Sansui, Fisher, JVC, Technics, Sanyo, Pioneer (except the HPM series), Sony (except some rare SS-E or SS-G Series) In fact most Japanese brands should be glossed over with the exception of some 3 way Yamaha's. Glitzy speakers with a frequency graph attached to front are also a indicator of pure crap.
