The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[Marco]

I'd been looking for a pair of these for AGES, but as they're pretty rare (plenty of later versions around in various condition, including the XRs I've currently got), so not had much opportunity to pull the trigger on an original pair with the 'picture frame' grilles... Then these popped up today on ebay, at a very good price and in rather nice condition:













Details here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Early-Pic...72.m2749.l2649

There's a little bit of the veneer missing on one of them and a few scuffs here and there (as shown in the pics), which I'll be getting a cabinet maker to fix and also fully restore the wood on both, so they should look superb! And for £89.00 I can hardly complain. They'll be going in the lounge in the downstairs system, *if* they manage to usurp the modified XRs!

It'll certainly be interesting comparing them, as they use totally different drivers... The earliest versions like these were much better quality. Full report to follow when they arrive, hopefully before the weekend!

Marco.

[AJSki2fly]

They do look in extremely good condition, a bit of a bargain, a friend had a pair and they did sound pretty good in his system, but that was many moons ago.

[Lawrence001]

Did look into those a while ago but I think the tweeters don't reach up to the highest frequencies and so I thought the ones with the supertweeter would be better.


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[struth]

Good speaks the originals. Should go nicely in the livingroom

[Marco]

They do look in extremely good condition, a bit of a bargain, a friend had a pair and they did sound pretty good in his system, but that was many moons ago.

Cheers, Adrian. That's exactly what I thought! And of course at that price it leaves a little room for spending on restoring them to near-mint condition, and *possibly* a re-cap

But I'm wary of adversely disturbing the voicing of these originals, plus nothing will be done until I have good listen to them over an extended period and get used to what they do!

Marco.

[Marco]

Did look into those a while ago but I think the tweeters don't reach up to the highest frequencies and so I thought the ones with the supertweeter would be better.

I also considered that and will assess it when comparing them to the later XRs, which have also been re-capped (and have a lovely open and extended top-end), so if anything will show that up, it'll be those!

Marco.

[Marco]

Good speaks the originals. Should go nicely in the livingroom

Cheers, mate. Yeah, just the type of 'retro look' that we love, and which will suit the room! Aside from the highly regarded HF1300 tweeters (top-end roll off aside), the mid/bass and ABR units have cast-alloy chassis and a more heavy-duty construction overall.

What vintage do you think these are - mid 60s?

Marco.

[struth]

they came out in 66 so from then onward

[Lawrence001]

I also considered that and will assess it when comparing them to the later XRs, which have also been re-capped (and have a lovely open and extended top-end), so if anything will show that up, it'll be those!

Marco.

Maybe a rare example of a situation where external (so called) supertweeters will actually improve the sound (rather than just increase the HF response).

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[Marco]

they came out in 66 so from then onward

Ah I see, thanks. Wasn't sure when they came out... So they're potentially as old as me!

Marco.