Speaker replacement - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Hoddbod · 10th Dec 2017, 1:05 pm

Hi. I have a Ferguson Studio 100 D. The speakers fitted are Goodmans rated at 8 OHMs. 68 mm diameter. Can these be replaced with better quality units? I have opened up one of the cabinets and i enclose photo.

Hoddbod.

jamesperrett · 10th Dec 2017, 2:40 pm

Personally I wouldn't bother replacing just the speaker as other aspects of the cabinet (like rigidity and damping) are probably lacking too. I would look at finding some 70's or 80's hifi speakers to replace them. I wouldn't go for anything too good but something mid-market like Celestion Ditton 15's, Wharfedale Lintons or KEF Codas. There are a whole host of others in a similar vein and they would probably cost about the same as a pair of replacement drivers.

mole42uk · 10th Dec 2017, 3:05 pm

It is unlikely that you will gain any audible improvement by replacing the drivers. As James writes, replace the whole speaker with something that you like to listen to.

Hoddbod · 10th Dec 2017, 3:35 pm

Hi. Thank you for your replies. iv'e been looking on E Bay and have seen some suitable ones. Some are of 6 ohms rating will these be any good because mine are 8 ohms.? And what about wattage?
regards
Hoddbod.

jamesperrett · 11th Dec 2017, 12:16 am

6 ohms should be fine provided you don't use the system at full volume for extended periods. I don't think that the Studio 100 was particularly powerful - probably around 10 watts per channel so most hifi speakers would be able to handle that sort of power.

Hoddbod · 11th Dec 2017, 11:09 am

Hi. What about Mordant short MS10 iv'e seen on Ebay. They are rated at 8 OHM. Are they good speakers,?
Hoddbod.

FIXITNOW · 11th Dec 2017, 1:27 pm

MS10s I find are good I have 2 pairs as the rear channels on my surround system

paulsherwin · 11th Dec 2017, 3:27 pm

Yes, they are fine hifi budget speakers and will provide a huge upgrade for a music centre like your Fergie.

Just about anything from the big hifi names will provide a big improvement - Wharfedale, Goodmans, Mission, Celestion, Acoustic Research, B&W, Tannoy, KEF, Gale, Eltax etc. Look for speakers that are near to you and collection only. There are some absolute bargains to be had.

Jimmyhaflinger · 19th Dec 2017, 10:00 pm

Most HiFi speakers would be badly underdriven by a 10W amp and may even sound worse than its original speakers.

If you really want something better then you should stick to high efficiency type speakers, maybe a pair of Diatone or Isophon fullrange drivers.

Edward Huggins · 20th Dec 2017, 3:18 pm

I don't think the OP will be looking at speakers in this price range for such a basic Music Centre. A pair of Tannoy Mercurys (high sensitivity reflex type) for £50.00 will be way more than adequate for this budget Ferguson.

jamesperrett · 23rd Dec 2017, 1:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyhaflinger

Most HiFi speakers would be badly underdriven by a 10W amp and may even sound worse than its original speakers.

From personal experience I would say this is a bit of a myth. I've often driven expensive hifi speakers from small amplifiers with no problems - provided you don't expect more from the amplifier than it can give.

Jimmyhaflinger · 25th Dec 2017, 1:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesperrett

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyhaflinger

Most HiFi speakers would be badly underdriven by a 10W amp and may even sound worse than its original speakers.

From personal experience I would say this is a bit of a myth. I've often driven expensive hifi speakers from small amplifiers with no problems - provided you don't expect more from the amplifier than it can give.

i once tried to drive a pair of AR6 speakers with a Sanyo G2601 music centre, the result was absolutely laughable, it actually sounded much better with its cheap original speakers

10th Dec 2017, 1:05 pm	#1
Hoddbod Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 64	Speaker replacement Hi. I have a Ferguson Studio 100 D. The speakers fitted are Goodmans rated at 8 OHMs. 68 mm diameter. Can these be replaced with better quality units? I have opened up one of the cabinets and i enclose photo. Hoddbod. Attached Thumbnails

10th Dec 2017, 2:40 pm	#2
jamesperrett Octode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,873	Re: Speaker replacement Personally I wouldn't bother replacing just the speaker as other aspects of the cabinet (like rigidity and damping) are probably lacking too. I would look at finding some 70's or 80's hifi speakers to replace them. I wouldn't go for anything too good but something mid-market like Celestion Ditton 15's, Wharfedale Lintons or KEF Codas. There are a whole host of others in a similar vein and they would probably cost about the same as a pair of replacement drivers.

10th Dec 2017, 3:05 pm	#3
mole42uk Nonode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Resolven, Wales; and Bristol, England Posts: 2,608	Re: Speaker replacement It is unlikely that you will gain any audible improvement by replacing the drivers. As James writes, replace the whole speaker with something that you like to listen to. __________________ Richard Index: recursive loop: see recursive loop

10th Dec 2017, 3:35 pm	#4
Hoddbod Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 64	Re: Speaker replacement Hi. Thank you for your replies. iv'e been looking on E Bay and have seen some suitable ones. Some are of 6 ohms rating will these be any good because mine are 8 ohms.? And what about wattage? regards Hoddbod.

11th Dec 2017, 12:16 am	#5
jamesperrett Octode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,873	Re: Speaker replacement 6 ohms should be fine provided you don't use the system at full volume for extended periods. I don't think that the Studio 100 was particularly powerful - probably around 10 watts per channel so most hifi speakers would be able to handle that sort of power.

11th Dec 2017, 11:09 am	#6
Hoddbod Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 64	Re: Speaker replacement Hi. What about Mordant short MS10 iv'e seen on Ebay. They are rated at 8 OHM. Are they good speakers,? Hoddbod.

11th Dec 2017, 1:27 pm	#7
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,975	Re: Speaker replacement MS10s I find are good I have 2 pairs as the rear channels on my surround system

11th Dec 2017, 3:27 pm	#8
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,936	Re: Speaker replacement Yes, they are fine hifi budget speakers and will provide a huge upgrade for a music centre like your Fergie. Just about anything from the big hifi names will provide a big improvement - Wharfedale, Goodmans, Mission, Celestion, Acoustic Research, B&W, Tannoy, KEF, Gale, Eltax etc. Look for speakers that are near to you and collection only. There are some absolute bargains to be had.

19th Dec 2017, 10:00 pm	#9
Jimmyhaflinger Heptode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: La Spezia, Italy Posts: 834	Re: Speaker replacement Most HiFi speakers would be badly underdriven by a 10W amp and may even sound worse than its original speakers. If you really want something better then you should stick to high efficiency type speakers, maybe a pair of Diatone or Isophon fullrange drivers.

20th Dec 2017, 3:18 pm	#10
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Speaker replacement I don't think the OP will be looking at speakers in this price range for such a basic Music Centre. A pair of Tannoy Mercurys (high sensitivity reflex type) for £50.00 will be way more than adequate for this budget Ferguson. __________________ Edward.