What is considered the best vintage MONO speaker driver?

**Wakefield Turntables** · 31-10-2021, 17:55

Simple question. I've got a growing collection of MONO records and fancy a MONO only speaker to do things properly. Things is, I know bugger all about what's considered to be a good driver. Ideally I'd like something as good as it gets and it has to be vintage. OK, what do you guys suggest?

**walpurgis** · 31-10-2021, 18:03

I'm assuming you want a single driver to cover the full audio range Andy? The obvious vintage choices are Tannoy and Lowther.

**mik_rik** · 31-10-2021, 18:08

Quad ESL57

**Barry** · 31-10-2021, 18:12

Voigt corner horn.

http://www.lowthervoigtmuseum.org.uk/lowtherVoigt.html

or a Quad 57 ESL (but then I would say that).

**Wakefield Turntables** · 31-10-2021, 19:33

Originally Posted by walpurgis

I'm assuming you want a single driver to cover the full audio range Andy? The obvious vintage choices are Tannoy and Lowther.

Yep single driver, full audio range. I've got Tannoy, lowther could be an option. I might even just try a single 15" MG and see how that sounds.

Originally Posted by mik_rik

Quad ESL57

Originally Posted by Barry

Voigt corner horn.

http://www.lowthervoigtmuseum.org.uk/lowtherVoigt.html

or a Quad 57 ESL (but then I would say that).

OK, why the ESL57, I have a pair by the way. Voigt again, I did think of that.

**Barry** · 31-10-2021, 21:00

Regarding the Quad 57, they were introduced to the public in 1955 (the date 1957 is in error, but it has been so well propagated that Quad themselves have now adopted the designation) originally as a single channel loudspeaker. After serial number c. 200, there were some small changes made to the directivity, so as to make them suitable for stereo usage.

I'm entirely biased (as I have used a pair exclusively for the last 45 years), but I find the Quads reproduce jazz and orchestral chamber music perfectly to my ears.

But on a more philosophical point, why do you think you need a single channel system to reproduce monophonic records? True, they were intended to be played on single channel record players; and some would argue that that is how they should be heard. Yet when I discussed this very point with a keen collector of classical music mono LPs, he replied that he much preferred to hear them on a two-channel system because he could hear some depth to the music.

By the way I listen to all my mono LPs on a two channel system (but select the 'mono' option on the pre-amp, that way any 'ticks', 'clicks' and 'pops' are centred and largely masked by the music).

**Wakefield Turntables** · 31-10-2021, 21:20

I just fancy a "purist" system.

**walpurgis** · 31-10-2021, 21:34

How about a top quality vintage Japanese full range driver?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224003245...0AAOSwp49etVKb

I had a pair of the ten inch units, they were stunning!

**Edward** · 01-11-2021, 00:08

Perhaps using a mono cartridge is the more "purist" way of doing things?

A while ago I listened to a well set up vinyl rig playing mono vinyl using a mono cart into a stereo Tannoy system. The depth and "being there" realism was out of this world.

§

**Lawrence001** · 01-11-2021, 02:04

I'd agree a mono source is essential for authenticity of sound. I'm not sure if they used "extension" speakers even before stereo to extend the apparent soundfield, but if so then playing on a pair of speakers could still be considered authentic.

Don't discount the large early Wharfedale units like this corner one. (You only want pre Rank Alnico drivers though).

https://images.app.goo.gl/j9SSi7JWKuFR6aBG6

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