Speakers for Console Record Player

[ameuba10]

Looking for advice. I have been given an old record player console. The idea is to replace the record player on the top with a newer modern one. I am eyeing one of the U-Turn Orbits. If you have other recommendations, I am all ears.

As for the speaker/s I am stumped on what direction to go. It should be moderately priced because this will not be for critical listening. I have a few ideas, but I am up for any other thoughts.

Option 1) Overnight sensations. I have had them before and like its overall voicing. The bronze cones should also match the overall aesthetics.

Option 2) CNotes. I have not personally heard them, but they seem to have a little more output and more suited for music.

Option 3) One single BOFU. This idea would be the cheapest by far, but I have not heard this driver before and I dont normally opt for mono.​​

[Steve Lee]

Some pics, budget and dimensions would really help get the creative design juices flowing around here . . .

[a4eaudio]

...budget . . .

+1 on budget and size constraint
Overnight Sensations and C-notes are fine, but they are entry level DIY speakers. If you can spend more, then it opens up a large selection on possibilities that will outperform these.

[ameuba10]

I would like to keep speakers and amp around $300.

[ameuba10]

Dimensions of the large compartment is 17”W, 18”D, and 18.5”H

[Steve Lee]

Are the existing speaker(s) mounted on the sides of the unit or are they a separate set of speakers with external connections?

As it stands now, your best bet is external/remote speakers with the electronics/amp inside the base unit . . .

[ameuba10]

This predates powered speakers. This was the older phonograph style where there was a passive horn that flared in the larger compartment.

The side compartments I assume were for record storage.

I would prefer to not have seperate speakers outside of the console. The console is currently next to my mains in the living room. Ideally, everything will be self-contained to the console wether that be built into the unit itself or bookshelf speakers sitting in the larger compartment.

[Steve Lee]

OK, with that ^ said you will need to consider utilizing the side storage doors as speaker cabinets.
You will need to give us the dimensions of those enclosures with the doors opened and post some more pics of those (internal construction) spaces.

An MT arrangement could work using smaller drivers although lacking deep bass but a small remote sub could be added once we have more information.

I would suggest you taking a lot of photos of the side compartments, back of the unit and any other pics that can help us with idea formulation.

Additionally, what size is the listening room and what are your expectations concerning SPL volume and depth of bass?

Good luck - looks like an interesting project.

[ameuba10]

OK, with that ^ said you will need to consider utilizing the side storage doors as speaker cabinets.
You will need to give us the dimensions of those enclosures with the doors opened and post some more pics of those (internal construction) spaces.

An MT arrangement could work using smaller drivers although lacking deep bass but a small remote sub could be added once we have more information.

I would suggest you taking a lot of photos of the side compartments, back of the unit and any other pics that can help us with idea formulation.

Additionally, what size is the listening room and what are your expectations concerning SPL volume and depth of bass?

Good luck - looks like an interesting project.

I can try to get some more pics tomorrow. It took me a while to get those resized to upload tonight. If possible, I would like to keep the speakers isolated to the middle compartment. I know I am planning on a good deal of work to this thing, but I would like to keep most of its character and originality in place.

It is currently inbetween my living/dining/kitchen areas. It is one large open area of about 22’X35’ or so. Listening expectations are not high. This will not be a critical listening setup by no means. More of a conversation piece for dinner party background music.

[unclejunebug]

Listening expectations are not high. This will not be a critical listening setup by no means. More of a conversation piece for dinner party background music.

Have you thought about building a portable/boombox style speaker to fit in that space? Something like Paul C's Isetta design would fit and it wouldn't be a mono setup.

[ameuba10]

That exact design has crossed my mind. Would be great dual purpose to if I would like to use it elsewhere.

[buggers]

With a compartment that small, you are not going to get any type of good stereo imaging, so I would recommend a single coax type of driver.

[Chris Roemer]

You know what though? Stereo is just the simplest (signal processing & whatnot) making it the quickest and least expensive.
Also, you DO get a sense of spaciousness, even with very little separation.

[djg]

What I would do, remove the side compartment doors and replace with vintage grill cloth (available on Ebay), put a pair of say OSMTMS in there. Put a modest down firing sub in the middle. Power with a 2.1 chipamp with bluetooth. You'll need a phono preamp if your turntable doesn't have one. I think a big sub would cause vibration problems. Like an 8" GRS, super cheap. That's what i would do.

[Chris Roemer]

dj - no electronics ...

Does that thing have a platter motor - or a crank! ?