Interesting Speaker Frame Designs

[Ernie Werbel]

Here are some photos of speakers I have acquired...

<img src="http://www.erniewerbel.com/temp/000_2622.jpg">
<img src="http://www.erniewerbel.com/temp/000_2625.jpg">
<img src="http://www.erniewerbel.com/temp/000_2627.jpg">

Ok the first one, numbered 2622, is an open-magnet speaker with square
frame. The second, numbered 2625, is a small 2" diameter transistor radio
speaker. These look just like ordinary old speakers, right? Wrong! Look
closely at the frame design. These frames have THREE, count 'em, three
flares extending from the center... not four like the traditional speakers
have.

Want to see something really wacky? No, step away from the mirror. Check
out the last photo, number 2627. This frame has a gazillion holes in it!
Well, actually only eight; ten if you count the portals for the wires. I
would say this frame design takes the cake as being the oddest design I have
encountered in my collection.

Ok, so now this beckons me to speculate on these designs versus the mundane,
four-flared frame. Obviously, the design with all the holes was undesirable
because it uses a lot of metal content. But what about the one with only
three flares? Surely, three uses less metal content than four. I can't
help but wonder as to why speakers are commonly made with four flares and
not three?

Lastly, I have to say, I think the speaker with all the holes is the coolest
one I have ever seen. I speculate that this may be because in the early
transistor radio days, you actually saw all the components when you took off
the back cover to change the batteries. Of course, now they aren't made
that way anymore, so I guess manufacturers don't feel the need to make their
speakers cool-looking.

Ernie

 

[Coyoteboy]

Here are some photos of speakers I have acquired...

Wow you get excited over cheap pressed steel speaker units. I've got
boxes of ones just as odd as that and more I've seen 3, 4 an 5 arm
ones used regularly, and some with no visible holes at all - all solid
at the back behind the cone.

But umm, whats your point?

J

 

[Ernie Werbel]

I don't know it has fascinated me for some time! I find it intriguing that
the 3-arm ones aren't the most common, as they use the least material.
However come to think of it I do remember seeing one with only 2 arms as
well, across the diameter. It was structurally strong, too. I guess I
became interested in it because they were so different. All I ever saw for
the longest time were the ones with 4 arms in a cross shape. I didn't know
they even made anything else until I came across a 3-arm one ten years ago.
I still have it! I actually rebuilt it because it was torn and it works
quite well for a learning project.
Ernie

 

[Coyoteboy]

I don't know it has fascinated me for some time! I find it intriguing that
the 3-arm ones aren't the most common, as they use the least material.
However come to think of it I do remember seeing one with only 2 arms as
well, across the diameter. It was structurally strong, too. I guess I
became interested in it because they were so different. All I ever saw for
the longest time were the ones with 4 arms in a cross shape. I didn't know
they even made anything else until I came across a 3-arm one ten years ago.
I still have it! I actually rebuilt it because it was torn and it works
quite well for a learning project.
Ernie

I have some 3 arm 15" 600w subs you could have (torn cones due to
vandals) if you live in the uk! I patched one up and it works ok btu
the others coil catches the magnet.