Big Ass Fisher DS-151 Speakers from the Thrift Store

Big ass speakers are one fun thing about shopping for home audio gear at the thrift store.   You can find some really big speakers that are wildly impractical by today's standards.  

Fisher DS-151 Speakers

For example, last week I saw these Fisher DS-151 speakers at Goodwill.  The cabinets were quite large.  Notice the TV and mini-stereo speakers in the picture above.  The speakers appeared to be in good shape.  However, they weren't as powerful as their size might indicate.  They are three way 50 watt speakers with 8 ohms of impedance.

Some Fisher speakers are reputed to sound really good--especially with classical music.  But, since these are really old speakers, I'll bet they will need to be restored.  For example, they may need to be refoamed.  But, they both looked pretty good.  SOmeone will find a treasure!

Fisher DS-151 Speakers Uncovered

My Thrift Store Yamaha Multi disc CD Player

Oops, I did it again!  I bought a Yamaha Multidisc CD player at the thrift store for $11.  I shouldn't have done it.  I've advised against it on many occasions. But, I couldn't resist the low price tag.  

 

My grandmother-in-law used to say, "Those who don't listen have to feel." 

I've mentioned before that used multi disc CD players are not a good deal.  There is just too much that can go wrong.  But, since I didn't listen, I have to feel.  The door to this CD player won't open and it gets stuck playing the same spot on the CD over and over.

Of course, with every stupid move, there is an opportunity to learn something.  So, I've taken the opportunity to look at the inside of a multi disc CD player. 

Lesson #1: When the Goodwill guy says they test all the electronics at a particular store: Disbelieve.

To learn more, I watched a couple of YouTube video to become an expert.

Then, I disassembled the CD player and cleaned the laser with an eyeglass wipe.  According to Youtube, you too can easily fix complicated electronics containing lasers.

 

Lesson #2:  Watching a Youtube Video to learn something is only slightly more effective than staying at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

After completing the painstaking Cleaning process, I put CD's back in the player and it did the same damn thing.  So, I gave up and hooked up a single disc CD player that I bought months ago.

Lesson #3:  If your CD player was made in 1993, you need a new one.

 

Playing with a Vintage Test Record

If you are ever perusing old records at a thrift store, you may run across a test record.  I recently bought one that was created for Radio Shack entitled:  "Realistic Stereo Test Record for Home & Laboratory Use."  According to the album dust cover, it includes the following tests:  channel identification, channel balance, frequency response, speaker phasing, effective hum, rumble, flutter, stereo spread, cartridge evaluation, and stereo separation.  I'm not sure what all of those things mean.  But, I'm learning.

The channel identification just lets you distinguish between the left and right channel.  The channel balance helps you determine if you are getting the same amount of signal out of the left and right channel.  In my case, I wasn't getting as much power out of my right channel and had to adjust my speaker balance.  The frequency response plays warbling tones at various frequencies versus a control tone.  It confirmed that my bookshelf speakers can only play bass so low.

The flip side of the record has music selections that put your stereo to the test by playing music selected to demonstrate both low and high frequency tones.

Today, various companies still make audio test CDs or MP3 tracks for download.  These give you an opportunity to find out what your stereo can do.  Of course, these CDs are dangerous.  They could lead you down that slippery slope towards becoming a true audiophile!

Close Encounters of the Kenwood Kind: KA-31 Amp, KT-31 Tuner, and KX-31 Tape Deck

Yesterday, I visited several Atlanta area thrift stores.  I checked out old stereos and vinyl albums.  I found some interesting stereo components.

70s Vintage Kenwood KA-31 Amp, KT-31 Tuner, and KX-31 Tape Deck

One interesting stereo that I found was the Kenwood KA-31 Amplifier, KT-31 Tuner, and and KX-31 Tape deck.  All had a dusty, dingy, appearance.  However, the trio would have cleaned up well.  They all had the shiny chrome face that was so popular during the 1970s and early 80s.  Plus, the whole bundle would have only been $25 at Goodwill.  Unfortunately, I could not find enough cables to hook everything together and see if it actually worked.

Controls for Kenwood KA-31 Amp

 

Front Panel for Kenwood KT-31 Tuner

A quick Google search didn't reveal anything spectacular about these vintage Kenwood stereo components.  If anything, some online discussions alluded to a time of low quality Kenwood equipment.  You can find specs and manual information at HiFi Engine.  Since my current stereo equipment is working, I shifted my search to vinyl.  Still it was an interesting Goodwill find.

Cheap Speaker Review: Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speakers

My quest for dirt cheap bookshelf speakers came to an end last weekend.  I happened across a pair of open box Pioneer bookshelf speakers on clearance at Walmart for only $50.  Since they normally cost $80, I pounced.  They turned out to be discontinued Pioneer SP-BS21-LR bookshelf speakers. These speakers were part of an expensive series of Pioneer Speakers designed by Andrew Jones and perform wonderfully.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speaker

The Pioneer SP-BS21-LR S speakers earned good reviews from a variety of critics, but were outperformed by the even more popular SP-BS22-LR speaker series.  However, in the world of audio, outperformed is a relative term.  If you are a normal mortal, I think you'll be pleased by these speakers.  I certainly find them pleasant for low to moderate volume bedroom use.  I've listened to jazz, symphonies, pop, and rock albums on these speakers and I've enjoyed them all.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Curved Cabinet

According to the Pioneer packaging, the SP-BS21-LR bookshelf speakers were designed by Chief Audio Engineer Andrew Jones.  They also have oversized magnets for powerful bass,  a superior crossover design for full spectrum clarity, a curved cabinet to reduce vibrations, and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter for crisp, accurate, high frequencies.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speaker Specs

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR speakers are 80 watt units with 6-ohms impedance.  They have a sleek, modern, cabinet design with gently curved cabinet.

If you can afford the improved Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers by all means get them. At times, the price difference may be as little as $30. However, if you are on a budget and you want to stay dirt cheap, then scoop up a pair of the SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Speakers. You'll probably find them to be excellent speakers.

Dirt Cheap Headphones Review: iRoad Blades Earphones and Microphone

The world has gone conference call mad.  There is no reason that you can't talk to software developers around the world night and day.  Of course, all of this conference call stuff cuts into valuable time that used to be devoted to walking the dog, brushing your teeth, putting pants on, and actually paying attention while driving.  One thing that makes all this conference call nonsense bearable is good pair of earbuds with a built in microphone.  The iRoad Blades Earbuds with Microphone do a pretty good job.

 

I purchased iRoad Blades at my local Five Below store for $5.  They fit my ears comfortably and they sound pretty good for phone calls and music.  They are also attractively styled with a chrome finish on their plastic drums. The fit and finish is better than dollar store earbuds.

According to the box, they feature a high efficiency 10mm driver, 20 hertz to 20 khz frequency response, extended bass response, 16 ohm impedance, a 3.5 mm plug for smartphones. The box also says that sensitivity is 93 +/- 3 dB/mw 1 khz.  The max input power is 10mW.  They are iPod, iPad, and iPhone compatible.

Overall, these earphones do the job and are dirt cheap at $5.  Stores like Five Below and Big Lots seem to be good places to pick up earphones.  The quality is decent and the prices are low.

If you'd like Amazon to send you some earbuds with a microphone, you might check these out: