
Found an interesting indoor (constructive) project to do on these cold wintry, snowy days. That being to replace the rubber surrounds of some original (4024) Realistic Mach One 15" bass speakers. The original surround had aged rendering the speaker system worthless. A replacement surround is readily obtained from one of several on-line sources. (Found the price can vary widely).
The time consuming part of the project is to remove the adhesive and residue of the original installation. Installation of a new surround is relatively easy.
This model speaker is said to have been individually hand built for Tandy (Radio Shack) by Thompson (others say this speaker was made by Foster/Fostex). This was back in the early 80's. These were the first speakers I ever bought and believe they would compare favorably with most anything on the market today (personal opinion, of course). While the surrounds held up quite well until now, they have developed cracks and need to go to their well deserved place of rest. I was reluctant to replace the surrounds as the only replacement surrounds that are available now are the foam variety. But, finally after waiting 2 days for the adhesive to dry, the first one sounds just as good as it ever did. Even tho the power handling capacity is low by today's ear popping standards, I have no doubt they will hold their own in our music room.
Curious how many have even heard of a Mach One, let alone owned one? No doubt there are some, as almost 30 years isn't all that long ago, or is it?
Rgds,
Ed
BTW, I have no urge to buy (or even listen to) any of R/S's current line of speakers. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I was in a R/S store. In those (old) days, I used to wait for the mail (person) to deliver the new R/S catalog. Then, brilliantly, their marketing dept dropped catalogs along with quality.
The time consuming part of the project is to remove the adhesive and residue of the original installation. Installation of a new surround is relatively easy.
This model speaker is said to have been individually hand built for Tandy (Radio Shack) by Thompson (others say this speaker was made by Foster/Fostex). This was back in the early 80's. These were the first speakers I ever bought and believe they would compare favorably with most anything on the market today (personal opinion, of course). While the surrounds held up quite well until now, they have developed cracks and need to go to their well deserved place of rest. I was reluctant to replace the surrounds as the only replacement surrounds that are available now are the foam variety. But, finally after waiting 2 days for the adhesive to dry, the first one sounds just as good as it ever did. Even tho the power handling capacity is low by today's ear popping standards, I have no doubt they will hold their own in our music room.

Curious how many have even heard of a Mach One, let alone owned one? No doubt there are some, as almost 30 years isn't all that long ago, or is it?

Rgds,
Ed
BTW, I have no urge to buy (or even listen to) any of R/S's current line of speakers. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I was in a R/S store. In those (old) days, I used to wait for the mail (person) to deliver the new R/S catalog. Then, brilliantly, their marketing dept dropped catalogs along with quality.

Last edited by engrssc on Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.