A very heavy speaker - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

vinrads · 24th May 2020, 11:38 am

I found this in the loft , why was it so heavy ? just look . Mick.

fetteler · 24th May 2020, 11:42 am

WOW!!!
Superb

Steve.

ekjdm14 · 24th May 2020, 11:46 am

That's certainly impressive to look at, I take it that's some sort of early permanent magnet? If so, has it any strength left to it?

Really hope it's serviceable as I can imagine the sound could rattle the windows right out of the frame!

G0HFCFrank · 24th May 2020, 12:00 pm

It looks like an early pot magnet to me.

fetteler · 24th May 2020, 12:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G0HFCFrank

It looks like an early pot magnet to me.

Made from a left over cannon ball!!!

Radio Wrangler · 24th May 2020, 1:43 pm

The basket looks like pressed, folded sheet steel. Looks a bit weak. Good job there is a brace to the bottom.

I guess the race is on to identify who made the driver. Could a maker's label have fallen off?

David

electrogram · 24th May 2020, 1:53 pm

A work of art !

stevehertz · 24th May 2020, 2:34 pm

Never seen a speaker magnet like that before. It could be medieval.

Paul_RK · 24th May 2020, 2:44 pm

The cabinet fretwork is Blue Spot, and I've seen a few massive early PM 'speakers in my time, if nothing quite like this.

Could be this one (the cabinet at least looks right) ?

http://www.valve-radio.co.uk/wp-cont...2016/09/44.jpg

Paul

ekjdm14 · 24th May 2020, 3:51 pm

Looks like we have a probable identity then. Were/are Blue Spot any trading relation to Blaupunkt? And, in either case, what was the attraction of applying such a name to high end equipment? I seem to recall quite a few companies over the years using the name Blue Spot in one form or another, hence my wondering what it's significance could be?

Must be quite a rarity as can't imagine many folk shelling out for the best of the best.

vinrads · 24th May 2020, 5:34 pm

Nothing on the driver ,but Blue spot on the cabinet back, it is all original. not tested it yet. Mick.

Heatercathodeshort · 24th May 2020, 5:52 pm

It's probably all show with just a golf ball sized magnet under that dome!

Looks amazing. I wonder what it sounds like? John.

vinrads · 24th May 2020, 7:04 pm

I have just tested it ,it has a built in tx so ran another one back to back from my ,beloved valve amp , I sounds fantastic even driving it hard with bass it seems to handle it. a bit low on treble , poss due to the two tx's , a close inspection of the magnet shows a Blue Spot symbol . I bet it was expensive in it's day .Mick.

Radio Wrangler · 24th May 2020, 7:34 pm

Eighty-seven and sixpence, if you follow the link Paul RK posted.

Any firm using a driver with a magnet like that today would put it in a perspex cabinet!

David

vinrads · 24th May 2020, 8:08 pm

Oops! I missed that link , thank's Paul RK, and David, for pointing it out . Mick.

Graham G3ZVT · 24th May 2020, 8:19 pm

The catalogue is "Copyright by the British Blue Spot Co. Ltd 250/7/32" so 1932?

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/British_Blue_Spot_Co

Ceased trading in 1938, I wonder if that was because of their German roots?

https://www.***********/photos/ttjunno/5359901103/

ekjdm14 · 24th May 2020, 8:32 pm

Aha, so I was (at least partly) right about Blaupunkt...

Wish my loft produced such finds, alas it's all crimbo decs and old kids toys!

Herald1360 · 25th May 2020, 11:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler

Eighty-seven and sixpence, if you follow the link Paul RK posted.

Any firm using a driver with a magnet like that today would put it in a perspex cabinet!

David

A £300 speaker in today's money.

The huge magnet probably just reflects the state of the art for magnetic alloys at the time though it's possible that there's a bit of showmanship involved as well.

John M0GLN · 4th Jun 2020, 12:52 pm

Just found this in the 1933-34 catalogue from,
Northern Radio & Cycle Supplies,
19 Skinnergate,,
Darlington.

John

vinrads · 4th Jun 2020, 2:22 pm

That's the one John , I was pleased to find that the o/p tx was ok when testing it , I put some decent audio through it , and it sounded rely good , Mick.

24th May 2020, 11:38 am	#1
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,756	A very heavy speaker I found this in the loft , why was it so heavy ? just look . Mick. Attached Thumbnails

24th May 2020, 11:42 am	#2
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,474	Re: A very heavy speaker WOW!!! Superb Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...

24th May 2020, 11:46 am	#3
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: A very heavy speaker That's certainly impressive to look at, I take it that's some sort of early permanent magnet? If so, has it any strength left to it? Really hope it's serviceable as I can imagine the sound could rattle the windows right out of the frame!

24th May 2020, 12:00 pm	#4
G0HFCFrank Pentode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 167	Re: A very heavy speaker It looks like an early pot magnet to me.

24th May 2020, 1:43 pm	#6
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,866	Re: A very heavy speaker The basket looks like pressed, folded sheet steel. Looks a bit weak. Good job there is a brace to the bottom. I guess the race is on to identify who made the driver. Could a maker's label have fallen off? David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

24th May 2020, 1:53 pm	#7
electrogram Heptode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hereford, UK. Posts: 719	Re: A very heavy speaker A work of art !

24th May 2020, 2:34 pm	#8
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,830	Re: A very heavy speaker Never seen a speaker magnet like that before. It could be medieval. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

24th May 2020, 2:44 pm	#9
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,255	Re: A very heavy speaker The cabinet fretwork is Blue Spot, and I've seen a few massive early PM 'speakers in my time, if nothing quite like this. Could be this one (the cabinet at least looks right) ? http://www.valve-radio.co.uk/wp-cont...2016/09/44.jpg Paul

24th May 2020, 3:51 pm	#10
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: A very heavy speaker Looks like we have a probable identity then. Were/are Blue Spot any trading relation to Blaupunkt? And, in either case, what was the attraction of applying such a name to high end equipment? I seem to recall quite a few companies over the years using the name Blue Spot in one form or another, hence my wondering what it's significance could be? Must be quite a rarity as can't imagine many folk shelling out for the best of the best.

24th May 2020, 5:34 pm	#11
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,756	Re: A very heavy speaker Nothing on the driver ,but Blue spot on the cabinet back, it is all original. not tested it yet. Mick.

24th May 2020, 5:52 pm	#12
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: A very heavy speaker It's probably all show with just a golf ball sized magnet under that dome! Looks amazing. I wonder what it sounds like? John.

24th May 2020, 7:04 pm	#13
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,756	Re: A very heavy speaker I have just tested it ,it has a built in tx so ran another one back to back from my ,beloved valve amp , I sounds fantastic even driving it hard with bass it seems to handle it. a bit low on treble , poss due to the two tx's , a close inspection of the magnet shows a Blue Spot symbol . I bet it was expensive in it's day .Mick. Attached Thumbnails

24th May 2020, 7:34 pm	#14
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,866	Re: A very heavy speaker Eighty-seven and sixpence, if you follow the link Paul RK posted. Any firm using a driver with a magnet like that today would put it in a perspex cabinet! David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

24th May 2020, 8:08 pm	#15
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,756	Re: A very heavy speaker Oops! I missed that link , thank's Paul RK, and David, for pointing it out . Mick.

24th May 2020, 8:19 pm	#16
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,711	Re: A very heavy speaker The catalogue is "Copyright by the British Blue Spot Co. Ltd 250/7/32" so 1932? https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/British_Blue_Spot_Co Ceased trading in 1938, I wonder if that was because of their German roots? https://www.***********/photos/ttjunno/5359901103/ __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT

24th May 2020, 8:32 pm	#17
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: A very heavy speaker Aha, so I was (at least partly) right about Blaupunkt... Wish my loft produced such finds, alas it's all crimbo decs and old kids toys!

4th Jun 2020, 12:52 pm	#19
John M0GLN Octode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 1,156	Re: A very heavy speaker Just found this in the 1933-34 catalogue from, Northern Radio & Cycle Supplies, 19 Skinnergate,, Darlington. John Attached Thumbnails

4th Jun 2020, 2:22 pm	#20
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,756	Re: A very heavy speaker That's the one John , I was pleased to find that the o/p tx was ok when testing it , I put some decent audio through it , and it sounded rely good , Mick.