Beovox 3800 Speakers

Finally getting around to working on these two big boys.............

However I have a couple of issues regarding the condition of the cones...the plastic skin is de laminating in a couple of places, can this be repaired? does it affect the operation of the speakers if left as is?.....anyone know anything about these....

Apologies for the poor quality pics........

And another thing.....I cant see an easy way to get inside these cabinets, I have removed the big machine screws from the bottom but the back panel remains firmly in place.....I'm very reluctant to use any force at this point.......help!

Just had a look in the service manuals provided here, no manual for the 3800, however It would appear that the way in is through the front via the speakers themselves............

Gained access to the first crossover PCB......not much to see

first speaker complete...........

Second crossover.....looks like someone has replaced these caps some time back, they has been some parallel installation going on, they do look oldy world components...is it possible they are original?....another odd thing is that the second pair from the left has the top capacitor installed the wrong way around......

When working with bipolar capacitors like these, there is no wrong way around,
but I agree that it's an odd mix of old and new.
The grey ones and the golden one look original, the silver ones looks early half of the 1980s.
Are all drivers in both cabinets still original?

Martin

none the less.....removed them and put these in

Martin

As far as I know they are the original drivers......I know that B&O used Goodmans units in 3800, something to do with import tax it seems

They had 12" drive units - 12" was regarded as only used in professional equipment and so there was no purchase tax. The 4700 used two 7.5" drivers and the 5700 a 10" driver so both were a lot more expensive to sell in the UK.

Nice speakers and came with a trumpet stand.

What was the difference in sound once you popped everything back together again?

I have a pair of 3702s I'd like to recap.

Pepps

I would love to tell you that the difference in sound was significant.....however that would be short of the truth, there wasn't a discernible difference to be honest. This may be a function of the plastic skin separating from the driver cone not providing a particularly good sound in any event, or it may be that the original capacitors where still ok. Having said that......changing the capacitors left me with a sense of satisfaction knowing I have done all I can with them ;¬)

Hi thanks for the reply.

That's interesting - I wasn't ever as impressed with my 3702s as I am with the baby brother set of 1702s I've had for ever. Considering the cabinet size and the large woofer I was hoping for big bass, but it just doesn't come.

Perhaps the 3702s need a far more powerful amp than my Beomaster 5000 (pizza box variety)?

I don't have a pre/power combo to try them with - hence hoping your recap would result in big punchy sound.

Ahhhh well.

Enjoy the clarity and the fact you pulled off a good recap 👍🏼