Speaker ideas to partner Armstrong 421 amp

[Sparkandjump70]

Hi there. just joined and wondered if there are any strong thoughts out there for a set of vintage speakers to partner an Armstrong 421 amp. Will be playing mostly classical through this system.

[shane]

Dynaco A25.

[walpurgis]

Lowther horns maybe? Very high efficiency and very vibrant sound. They do seem suited to classical music. A pair of Lowther Acoustas from the same era as the Armstrong could work well, just ensure the driver surrounds are good and that the coils move freely.

[danilo]

:thumbsup: Dynaco A25's are well suited to an older Tube amp.
Tailored to match Dynas St70 amp... these Worked with that Amps' Farty bass and rolled off highs.. V nicely.
One could do a Lot worse.
Cheap to buy too.

[narabdela]

:thumbsup: Dynaco A25's are well suited to an older Tube amp.


The Armstrong 421 was a transistor amp.

[spendorman]

B&W DM3's

[Sparkandjump70]

B&Ws look nice too. Any thoughts on Richard Allan Chaconne or Wharfy Lintons. Both cheap and tatty but I can do up until I can aford a pair of BWs or Dynacos.

[spendorman]

B&Ws look nice too. Any thoughts on Richard Allan Chaconne or Wharfy Lintons. Both cheap and tatty but I can do up until I can aford a pair of BWs or Dynacos.

It's a long time since I heard the Chaconne or the Lintons, probably in the 70's. Don't think that I was that impressed. You might be better off with something like Celestion Ditton 10.

[walpurgis]

B&Ws look nice too. Any thoughts on Richard Allan Chaconne or Wharfy Lintons.

No No. Words like 'bargepole' spring to mind! :eek:


(Ditton 10 is good though)

[spendorman]

Pair of B&W DM5 and a pair of DM11 on ebay at the moment, not bad speakers

[spendorman]

These look to be a bargain, Leak Sandwich speakers I think:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keesonic-KBM-speakers-vintage-hi-fi-excellent-condition-super-rare-/262392251295

[spendorman]

Could be good. I can't remember what is in this particular model, but Heathkit used some good units including KEF:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-70s-Teak-Heathkit-Ambassador-Speakers-Power-Houses-Very-Retro-71cm-Tall-/172174543423

[spendorman]

Mordaunt Short:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STUNNING-PAIR-VINTAGE-RETRO-MORDAUNT-SHORT-PAGEANT-SERIES-II-TWO-SPEAKERS-TEAK-/161909494087

[spendorman]

Mission, a bit later than the others, but I seem to remember that these were good sounding:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mission-speakers-Model-70-MK-11-vintage-black-hifi-bookcase-retro-/141968141894

[spendorman]

Goodmans:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LARGE-VINTAGE-FLOOR-STANDING-GOODMANS-GOODWOOD-SPEAKERS-PAIR-TEAK-WOOD-/252366202782

[spendorman]

Pretty old, I remember these being marketed by Lee Electronics, bass units were Goodmans, I think. Were a bit budget, but people seemed to like them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-RETRO-SPEAKERS-SONOTONE-SOLENT-SOLID-WOOD-CASE-GRILL-/272219723172

[jandl100]

You want something with a nicely neutral midrange for classical, imo as a classical fan - i.e. not Lowthers!

Celestion UL series are great, amazing mids regardless of price and age.

[hermit]

Very nice restored pair of AR4xa (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Research-AR-4Xa-Classic-Air-Suspension-Loudspeakers/131784615334?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3De80ff2eec2864ce3819 946597cc6f05e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26 sd%3D401109139030) speakers.

[walpurgis]

Very nice restored pair of AR4xa (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Research-AR-4Xa-Classic-Air-Suspension-Loudspeakers/131784615334?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3De80ff2eec2864ce3819 946597cc6f05e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26 sd%3D401109139030) speakers.

Yes, I've always liked those, nice and musical. Price is too high though. £50 to £80 is the going rate.

[hermit]

Yes, I've always liked those, nice and musical. Price is too high though. £50 to £80 is the going rate.

That's what I thought initially Geoff but it looks like (asking) prices have risen quite sharply in recent times. There are a few pairs of AR4s on ebay just now and they are all significantly more than this pair. Also worth noting that this pair has the more desirable cloth surrounds and has been recapped and restored.

[spendorman]

That's what I thought initially Geoff but it looks like (asking) prices have risen quite sharply in recent times. There are a few pairs of AR4s on ebay just now and they are all significantly more than this pair. Also worth noting that this pair has the more desirable cloth surrounds and has been recapped and restored.

Yes, I saw this, most considerably more.

[Sparkandjump70]

Thanks guys. Just had a look at all your very wise options. Pity most selling are collection only. Bummer. Still, I like the Mordant Shorts and the ARs. There are AR7s, smaller. nd starting bid is low - any good? Going to look at Celestions too as recommended.

[walpurgis]

AR7s are very prone to rotted foam cone surrounds. Can be fixed, but a nuisance. AR4Xa have treated fabric surrounds and don't suffer.

[spendorman]

The little Missions are good, anyone else tried them?

I was not too keen on the Celestion Ditton 15.

[hermit]

Thanks guys. Just had a look at all your very wise options. Pity most selling are collection only. Bummer. Still, I like the Mordant Shorts and the ARs. There are AR7s, smaller. nd starting bid is low - any good? Going to look at Celestions too as recommended.

AR7s are decent. As Geoff says, unless they have been done, the foam surrounds rot and will need replaced. The surrounds are readily available for £20 and it is a really simple job to fit them. The main thing is to be sure that the drive units are original and the tweeters are working.

[Sparkandjump70]

Looking at a cheap pair of MS Carnivals. Or, AR7s or similar. Think I'll go cheap and get a decent pair later. Some great advice - all soaked up in my tiny brain. Very much appreciated. My experience is with 80s stuff only. Old horn cabs look funky!

[karma67]

Try and go for pageant 2's if you like mordant short. They are above festivals in the range .