When I encountered a rotted-out 4-ohm speaker in the dash of my 300C
convertible, I initially went to the stereo store and said I wanted a new
speaker, perhaps even better than original. The manager looked at the
wiring diagram for the original Electro-Touch radio and found that it only put
out 6 watts maximum power! He pointed out that the heavier magnets in the
modern (usually 8-ohm) speakers were designed to work with outputs of typically
over 20 watts per channel from modern radio amplifiers and would hardly be
moved at all by the measly 6-watt output from the nearly 60-year-old radio,
resulting in a barely audible output.
I spoke to Jeff Carter of JC Auto Restorations who was restoring the radio
and Hi-Way Hi-Fi record player at the time, and he offered to have the old
frayed paper speaker cone itself rebuilt using modern plastic material
that would actually produce superior sound across the usual audio spectrum than
the original, especially higher frequencies. I don't recall the exact
cost, but it was around the same price I was going to pay for a pair of new
modern speakers, probably about $75. Talk to Jeff for exact pricing.
Bottom line is the old components now work together just like new, and certainly
sound "period-correct". No messing with mis-matched bolt holes,
either. Another takeaway: Newer and "more powerful" does not always
mean "better", when working with older-generation components!
Ray Melton Las Cruces, NM 1957 Chrysler 300C convertible
white/Gauguin S/N 3N572517
The ohms are
not as critical as often made out to be, 4 or 8 will work ok. The 4 will play
slightly louder at max volume , the 8 will sound less distorted but slightly
less max volume. The main thing is getting a high quality hi watt speaker that
will not warp ; Japanese speakers very good, like Panasonic or Sony, Kenwood,
from that auto radio place on line . Usually have to buy two…Boxed that way.
I usually buy
the mid price one do not need the fancy stuff , tweeters etc on AM ; if a rear
speaker, both F and B should be same ohms . If a single speaker now, it will
have a jumper in a 4 pin socket or in the plug , varies, (for rear speaker)
leave all that alone as it is
Hope that
helps….sometimes have to mess with bolt holes.
john
I need a
correct ohm 5x7 radio speaker for my 58 D front I/panel. Any
advice on this?
Thanks Marv
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