At the risk of being banned... I put Dayton drivers in my Polk 5A's (and I love them).

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jmardy
jmardy Posts: 27
edited February 3 in Vintage Speakers
Before I knew about you fine folks I was recommissioning a set of 5A's that I've had since high school. Both drivers were locked up, presumably from magnet shift.
I couldn't find a decent set used anywhere and didn't feel like spending too much on them so I looked around on Parts Express and found these that seemed pretty close to the same specs.
I couldn't be happier with how they sound (or their build quality). And they were a perfect drop-in using existing screw holes.
There! I've confessed.
https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-DC160-8-6-1-2-Classic-Woofer-295-305

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,208
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    There are similarities, but some notable differences.
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    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,679
    edited February 3
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    Nice, do they sound the same?

    The 6500's suffer from severe galvanic corrosion of the pole piece and too little voice coil clearance.
    They require disassembly and base plate clearancing before resetting magnets.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • jmardy
    jmardy Posts: 27
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    I can't say they sound the same since I couldn't A/B them.
    I'm just super pleased with how much I like them and how long I can sit in one chair listening to music on them.
    I guess that's the whole point of this hobby. :)
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,400
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    Maybe we should try more testing? They certainly look nice! Are these a new offering? (forgive my laziness)
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  • CobraCain
    CobraCain Posts: 1
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    I can't leave anything alone. I am currently working on a set of 75T's. Lining the inside of the boxes with foam; I chamfer all exposed edges of the bracing and behind the drivers. I am rebuilding the Crossovers using the same specs but far better parts. However, I am upgrading the tweeters, I'm sorry but on this model they cheaped out. My go to parts company is Parts Express. I have others but they are much more expensive. If you're wondering, yes, I listen to Danny from GR research, he has taught me a lot. I have been amazed that I have been able to take middle of the road speakers and get them to sound like thousands of dollars.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,679
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    CobraCain wrote: »
    I can't leave anything alone. I am currently working on a set of 75T's. Lining the inside of the boxes with foam; I chamfer all exposed edges of the bracing and behind the drivers. I am rebuilding the Crossovers using the same specs but far better parts. However, I am upgrading the tweeters, I'm sorry but on this model they cheaped out. My go to parts company is Parts Express. I have others but they are much more expensive. If you're wondering, yes, I listen to Danny from GR research, he has taught me a lot. I have been amazed that I have been able to take middle of the road speakers and get them to sound like thousands of dollars.

    Where's the build pics?
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Keiko
    Keiko Posts: 804
    edited July 5
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    Hey, so long as your happy with and enjoying them that's all that matters.

    I did the same with a vintage pair of Bose 301 Series 1 I used to have. Bose speakers were notorious for foam rot. Instead of trying to repair them, I bought some new drivers from Rat Shack that were a perfect drop in replacement. Those drivers were much better quality and I never had the problem of the surrounds rotting out ever again.

    I ended up giving those speakers to my brother and shipped them to Louisiana for him. Kinda regret it now. A lot of ppl don't have much love for Bose, but those old 301s were actually pretty decent and wish I had kept them now. They were part of my first real rig I built back in the early 80s when I was in the Army.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,913
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    I like the BOSE 301s also.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.

    “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
    --Mark Twain.

    “If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright
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