Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Drive-in Speaker Question

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Posted by Jay Glaus (Member # 6011) on 01-18-2014, 12:16 PM:

As I'm sure some of us have already heard, Speeco has gone out of business. While it's a sad time, it also makes it difficult for anyone who maintains a field of speakers, such as myself.

I can still get the cones from Projected Sound, and cords I can make myself. But I'm curious if anyone knows where I can get the volume controls for the speakers, and transformers for the junction boxes on the poles?

I know the volume controls are potentiometers, but I'm not sure what exactly I'd be looking for. And I am thinking the transformers are still manufactured (even if not for the specific purpose of drive-ins) because the last order of transformers I got looked too new to be sitting for years in a stock room.

If anyone has any advice on this matter I'd really appreciate hearing it! Thanks,
Jay

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 01-20-2014, 07:01 PM:

Jay: I would suspect MOUSER Electronics would have pots and transformers but while they are pretty good, overall, on prices, I am not sure what bulk prices could be reached to make a mass rehab project on your in-car speakers fit within your budget. Perhaps someone out there could suggest a low-cost bulk source or sources of these as well as of replacement speakers? [Confused]

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-20-2014, 08:15 PM:

Projected Sound will surely have any common part such as cable, pot, hardware, transformers. Louis

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 01-20-2014, 09:27 PM:

Projected Sound is still in business, but doing other things. They don't have any other drive in parts.

I replaced over 100 speaker cones for a friend of mine last year. It's not economical anymore to have speakers for use. That's just a reality of the changing business. I wonder how many of my rebuilt speakers walked off last year. I am kind of afraid to ask. I mainly just wanted to see a digital projector connected to a tube amplifier.

Speco was bought out by a guy that sells drive in speaker parts on ebay for nostalgia. Those parts are priced at a point that no drive in could afford to order them.

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 02-07-2014, 02:16 PM:

Travis, so what is the best price you have found for cones? As SPECO snd other supply houses have shut down, I've lost track of the market price (besides, remaining sources). Thanks. [Smile]

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 02-07-2014, 05:01 PM:

I bought some 4 ohm cones from Projected Sound for $4.25 each. I also bought some 8 ohm mylar cones for approx $5.50.

The paper cones sound a little better, but I used the mylar cones at the drive in. If you want some of the cones from Projected Sound, I have 100 to spare. I doubt I ever rebuild that many speakers again.

I should have listened to Louis!

Posted by Michael Cornish (Member # 6529) on 02-07-2014, 09:15 PM:

You may want to check out Parts Express
725 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Springboro, OH 45066
or
MENDELSON'S LIQUIDATION OUTLET - MECI
340 East First Street
Dayton OH 45402
1-800-344-4465
Retail - Monday - Saturday 8:30-5:00 EST
Customer Service - Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00 EST

Mike [thumbsup]