Acoustic Response Series 707

audiobliss

I just got back from the local Hi-Fi shop, and they were cleaning out a bit. When I walked in, the owner was carrying around this pair of speakers (well, ok; more like dragging around). He said he was going to throw them in the dumpster and asked if I wanted them. And I said, "Of course!!!"

So, anyways, they're 'Acoustic Response Audio/Video Monitor Series 707' speakers. They're fairly large and have two brass looking knobs on the front to adjust the treble and bass. I just hooked 'em up to the 'B' output on my receiver and I get nothing. I'm fixin' to open 'em up (:eek:) and see if I can hook up any misplaced wires.

Anoybody know anything about these? Were they worth saving from the dumpster? Should I try to fix 'em up? Or just enjoy 'em and then throw 'em away?

I'll post some pics and probably some questions about why in the world I can't get them to work...lol.

audiobliss

I just took a pic of one of 'em. As you can tell, this one doesn't have the woofer. Other than that, all the drivers *look* *to me* to be ok.

audiobliss

Here's the label and the 'Treble' & 'Bass' knobs:

audiobliss

I just pulled the mid ot of the enclosure and hooked it up to the 'B' output on my receiver to see what she'd do. She sounded just fine. Here's a pic of. It' looks to be in great shape to me.

audiobliss

Here's the back of it with the model number or whatever.

audiobliss

I just pulled the 'tweeter' (sure is big; gotta be 2 1/2" in diameter), and it works fine, as well. Here are some pics.

audiobliss

Here's the back with that number:

audiobliss

I just pulled the woofer on the second speaker. It looks to be in great condition, with no visible deterioration of the surround. When I pulled it out, I was surprised to find that it wasn't even hooked up.

To my disappointment, I can't make the woofer do anything when I hook it up to the 'B' output on my receiver. I guess it's bac, but it sure does look ok. The voice coil, the 'wires' goin' from the speaker wire attachement point to inside the voice coil (I know there's gotta be a name for that; but I don't know what it is).

audiobliss

Pic of other enclosure.

audiobliss

Here's a pic of the woofer.

audiobliss

Here's a close-up of the surround on the woofer.

audiobliss

And here's a pic of the back of the woofer.

RuSsMaN

White Van Specials baby. Burn them.

ohskigod

looks exactly like the Acoustic Monitor, also a white van special. I gave em to a friend of mine. nothing special about them at all.

audiobliss

Well, phooey. They looked like they could be something. At least I didn't pay too much for them! lol

I've been talking to Sid about what to do with them.....If I put about $100 in them, I could have them working again. What do you guys think about that? Remember, I don't have a critical ear and, quite honestly, may not even be able to tell the difference between them and my Klipsch! lol (well, maybe a little)

How 'bout this crossover (x2 since they seem to be bad):
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-210

And this woofer (x2 since the only one that came with them doesn't want to work...for some reason...):
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=26631511&St=3548&St2=74459006&St3=-54360630&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=7772&DID=7


That's all it would take, and that brings it up to about $100.





Now, about that woofer not working. From looking at it (with an amateur eye), it looks to me like it should work. However, when I hook it up directly to my receiver, I get absolutely nothing. Am I doing something wrong? Could there be some easy to fix something wrong with it? Thanks!


I'm just thinking I could have fun playing around with these speakers.

shack

Good money after bad......

If you want to get into speaker building start with a better platform. Instead of using these "white van specials" find a quality old speaker that needs freshening up and start there. They are out there all the time for nothing .

You could buy a replacement pair of the ones you have for $10. That tells me I wouldn't put one penny in what you have. Listen to Russ....BURN THEM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14993&item=5769391166&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Your are out exactly $0 now. Save your money for a more worthy project.

audiobliss

Wow....the whole thing for $10....and I'm talking about $100 to get it there......that's sad.

I'll hafta think about what I wanna do here. I don't wanna just throw out 4 drivers that actually work. *sigh*

shack

Originally posted by audiobliss
I'll hafta think about what I wanna do here. I don't wanna just throw out 4 drivers that actually work. *sigh*

Why? Someone more knowledgable than you about audio (the owner of the Hi-Fi shop) was willing to do just that...if they were worth anything at all do you think he would be tossing them?

audiobliss

Eh. Good point. Quite a few good points you've made. Thanks. I reckon I'll play around with them....maybe even blow 'em....:D........but not spend any money on 'em...

Thanks!

shack

On second thought - If it were me I would try to find a used driver out of a trashed speaker to fit nad put it in the box and give them to a youth center, senior citizen center, church group or someone that could use a pair of working speakers regardless of the sound quality. Now there's a project for you.

audiobliss

And that does sound like a great idea. What would I do to get them working? Besides needing woofers, it seems the crossovers don't work. What's an economical way to fix that?

shack

If you are interested....here is a great opportunity to get a book from the library on audio electronics...tear them apart and see if you can get the crossovers working. Who knows...it may be the start of you becoming a master speaker builder....like Matt.

audiobliss

I think I'll look at the crossovers again tonight. What can go wrong with them? If the wire hasn't become unsoldered at any point, what could be wrong? There are little cylinders (they look like mini-capacitor, but I don't know what they are) in the crossover; could those have gone bad? If they're good and the wire is soldered/connected well everywhere, is there anything else that could be wrong?

RuSsMaN

Feel like building something?

Try THIS.

RuSsMaN

Or you could try .......THIS.

VR3

Remember, those working drivers are a 3 dollar tweeter and a 4 dollar midrange...

NOTHING to feel bad over...

Hmm...

mrbigbluelight

Came across an offering of a similar set of these beauties on our local Craigslist this morning, and had to google "Acoustic Response Series 707" because of the poster's statement:

"Polk Audio may have made these. come by and check them out."

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/msg/4135883343.html

#1 on the google hit parade was a link to this thread :loneranger:

Looks like this set has the upgraded bass driver chain link fence protection grid and optional sound board carpet padding acoustic damping material.

Although these look really sweet, they would actually be a step down from my gear. :eek: No fooling !
.... although he is only asking $30 ....