Gentle reader,
If you follow my blog, (which I greatly appreciate!) you have seen my posts about upgrading speakers over the years.
As far as speakers sold through Radio Shack stores, I started with their larger die-cast aluminum speakers called Minimus 11. See that post here:
Later, I was able to buy a pair of the wooden version of their famous Minimus 7 models which have black walnut veneers and solids. They are called 7W. I've always loved the look of wooden things, especially ones made from black walnut wood. So, these little beauties were warmly welcomed to the system. It was a two-part post and they can be viewed here:
and here:
As you have read about the Minimus 11s, I installed Dayton Audio's smallest ribbon tweeters made with the "Folded Motion Transformer" construction. I really love the crisp and clear highs they produce. So I thought that I'd do the same with these Minimus 7W models. So here goes the step-by-step procedures I went through:
Above is one of the pair awaiting it's fate. Note the woven Kevlar woofer. Nice golden colored fibers, aren't they?
Above is the box the AMT Mini-8 tweeter comes in.
Above shows the new tweeter from the rear next to the fabric dome tweeter. On the right is the optional face-plate that comes with it.
Above is the original tweeter, freshly removed from the cabinet. Pretty large magnet for a tweeter.
Above and below is the tweeter carefully removed from the face-plate. The face-plate is molder plastic which will help ease the transition. Yep, that truly is a naked dome tweeter below.
Above shows how the Mini-8's face-plate is an excellent size for what I have planned. Below is how and where it's going to be mounted. For aesthetic reasons, I will modify these aluminum plates so that I can use the three holes in the plastic face-plate.
Next, are a series of photos depicting each step in the transition. First, below is the petite Mini-8. See the tiny folded ribbon material? Note the golden color?
Below you can see that I have successfully mounted the metal face-plate to the plastic plate.
Next step was bolting the first metal plate to the second, paying attention at aligning them carefully so that the next holes that I drill will be correctly place for each to turn out looking the same.
Below is the rear of the two plates.
Below, you can see that I've added the second bolt and hut to keep them aligned. 
The metal plate is now ready to be assembled to the Mini-8 ribbon tweeter using the screws and nuts already in place.
Below is the first completed assembly ready for mating to the plastic plate.
Above and below are the two faces of the completely modified tweeter assembly. You may wonder why I used "Allen" bolts? Two reasons, the extra screws and nuts that come with the Mini-8 models are a wee bit too small for the three holes in the plastic plate.
And the second reason is they are what I had on hand the right size and that I had locking nuts for, as seen below. You don't want any fastener in a speaker to loosen which would cause a buzz or rattle and color the music negatively.
So, the unit is ready for installation. Note that the Positive terminal on the left is wider than the negative one. See below how I replaced the narrow terminal with the correct width one.
Notice how the woofer and tweeter are almost the same color?
Above and below are the modernized and greatly improved Minimus 7W speakers next to their big brother Minimus 11. You may be thinking, "What is that blue stuff?" It is a type of putty sold by various brand names made for attaching things in such a way as to prevent vibration but than later be removed with no ill effects or residue left. The most famous name is Blu-Tak.
Above is the right set of speakers and below is the left. The Cerwin Vega woofers patiently await their red foam surrounds being rubberized. "Rubberized, what's that?" See the link below which will connect you with all but the very latest posts related to music and sound.
If you click on the link below, it will take you to an earlier post listing all my articles related to stereo and surround sound stuff:
Thanks for looking. And by the way, the changes I have made to these Minimus 7W speakers makes them the only ones in the entire world!
Scott
no changes needed to the crossover?
ReplyDeleteYou destroyed perfection.
ReplyDelete