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Hello,
I'm in the market for a pair of S45-2s. I've come across a pair in good cosmetic condition.
I wanted to get the experts advice on the condition of the speakers.
There looks to be some discoloration around the large driver. Is this common? A sign of trouble?
The seller says they work great, but obviously you can't be sure. They are asking ~$200 USD.
Many thanks,
H
Hi,
from my experience of having 2 pairs of those speakers (both in original condition since 1970's) I can confirm that the discolouration is nor only common but normal and doesn't necessarily present any threat and is mainly down to use and dust - I would check the drivers (axially listen to them) and woofers for easy movement
avoid shipping at all cost (unless you plan re-building them soon) - there may be issue with the foams and the woofers will eventually need re-foaming in the future, when shimming may be required. ...
By all means don't take a sellers word for it and check it yourself (I've got one with not working tweeter for quiet long time before noticing it)
Hope that be some help and all the best ($200 seem about reasonable as those speakers are really good, especially for their compact size)
bob
hammer_smyth: Hello, I'm in the market for a pair of S45-2s. I've come across a pair in good cosmetic condition. I wanted to get the experts advice on the condition of the speakers. There looks to be some discoloration around the large driver. Is this common? A sign of trouble? The seller says they work great, but obviously you can't be sure. They are asking ~$200 USD. Many thanks, H
Don't worry - be Happy
S45-2s have rubber rolls so will not need reforming. The colour change is common but cleans nicely. The major problem is the slipping of the woofer magnet which is not uncommon and needs quite expensive remedial work. Slippage renders the driver inoperable so is obvious. `it can be prevented by using strong glue on the magnet.
These are excellent speakers but can be regarded as slightly bass light by some. Excellent for classical and jazz - possibly less so for heavy rock where S75s would possibly be a better choice. S45-2 s are probably my favourite B&O speaker.
Peter
I think 200 dollars is a lot of money for S45-2's.
Here in the Netherlands they can easily be picked up for 50-75 euro's or less.
I think the supply in the US is a lot less - a good pair can go for thing amount even in the UK - stands add a lot of value. Condition of the veneer is important - I like dark rosewood personally! Mine are the pair on Beocentral!
Peter: I think the supply in the US is a lot less - a good pair can go for thing amount even in the UK - stands add a lot of value. Condition of the veneer is important - I like dark rosewood personally! Mine are the pair on Beocentral!
I haven't seen a lot of S45's on stands either; they were small enough to be bookshelf speakers back in the day - comparing to almost all S75's for sale at the moment has stands, because they were too big to place on anything
I have had a pair of S45's and can only recommend them, though I glued that woofer magnet with two-component epoxy as fast as I was able to.
Vinyl records, cassettes, open reel, valve amplifiers and film photography.
Dom
2x BeoSystem 3, BeoSystem 5000, BeoSystem 6500, 2x BeoMaster 7000, 2 pair of BeoLab Penta mk2, AV 7000, Beolab 4000, BeoSound 4000, Playmaker, BeoLab 2500, S-45, S-45.2, RL-140, CX-50, C-75, 3x CX-100, 3x MCL2 link rooms, 3x Beolab 2000, M3, P2, Earset, A8 earphones, A3, 2x 4001 relay, H3, H3 ANC, H6, 2014 Audi S5 with B&O sound, and ambio
I purchased my rosewood S45-2s in 2008 for $90. They were in perfect cosmetic condition, and were purchased without stands.
For $90 they are a steal. For $200, I bet they would beat anything on the market selling at the same price new.
Having said that, I wouldn't buy a pair for $200 because you should be able to find a pair for less in the United States. There is always at least one pair for sale on Ebay.
I am also a huge fan of my S40s. Those were purchased for $40, were in less than perfect cosmetic condition, and needed a refoam. After some work, they now sound incredible out in my garage system.
Oh, and no offense, Peter, but I think the S45-2s work just fine with some loud rock-n-roll!
Rich: Oh, and no offense, Peter, but I think the S45-2s work just fine with some loud rock-n-roll!
Actually none taken - I agree with you, but I am not a fan of very heavy bass. The bass on S45-2s is very accurate but rolls off at just below 40Hz quite rapidly. I must pull mine out again and compare them to my M100s!
Oops I've done it again - blonde moment y'all and cannot be justified by the fact I'm having lots going on privately now - should have known better that the woofers are rubber rolls - I've had 2 pairs after all - my apologies........... I was miles away..............
as per price $200 been steep - it's disputable, are they worth it - most certainly are it's certain - exceptionally good small speakers especially for their age.
Peter: S45-2s have rubber rolls so will not need reforming. The colour change is common but cleans nicely. The major problem is the slipping of the woofer magnet which is not uncommon and needs quite expensive remedial work. Slippage renders the driver inoperable so is obvious. `it can be prevented by using strong glue on the magnet.
Peter: Actually none taken - I agree with you, but I am not a fan of very heavy bass. The bass on S45-2s is very accurate but rolls off at just below 40Hz quite rapidly. I must pull mine out again and compare them to my M100s!
I wish I kept my pair of S45.2's as they are much more pleasant to listen to compared with the S75's that has a very "rumbling" bass and shrill highs that quickly leads to listening fatigue. It would be ideal to have them placed more than 2-3 feet from the wall, but I don't have that much space (and I doubt I will for the next few years as a poor student)
P45s are the answer! Excellent sound and take up no space!
Thanks for all the great advice.
I ended up picking them up for a little under $200. On the high side perhaps, but I've been having trouble finding a pair in good cosmetic condition in the US. Was within my budget so I'm pleased.Looking forward to getting these going.I also found some original, unopened stands for £25. Cost about the same to shop them to the US, but again, these were hard to locate in the US.
Cheers.
Apologies for the multiple reply—browser issues.
Hi again,
Looking for some advice to make another s45-2 purchase for a friend.
These have come up on eBay. Do the woofers look original? They seem to be lighter in color than others I've seen.
Is there anyway to tell from these photos?
Regards,
Yes, they look original. Sold a pair yesterday
Brengen & Ophalen
Leslie: Yes, they look original. Sold a pair yesterday
They don't look like mine. Look closer to my M70s, though obviously the S45-2 is 8" and the M70 is 10".
I can only tell what I saw with mine, rubber rings and a light(er) paper cone!
Let's do an experiment, shall we? I just took a digital photo with flash. Let's see if that makes the woofer "look lighter."
I'd call it a match.
Yes, so?
Leslie: I can only tell what I saw with mine, rubber rings and a light(er) paper cone!
I would describe mine as a "dark gray paper."
Leslie: Yes, so?
So photographs are deceiving.
I've found a pair locally with stands for 60 euros.
They are advised as fully working...
The frets have seen better days...
I think a little push of the woofer cones is mandatory before buying.
Anything else?
I have a spare Beomaster 1900-2 to make them sing. Will they?
Jacques
Of course it will sing ;)
I really love my S-45s, but I really improved them by re-capping them. With the time, the sound was a little bit to high and they were laking of bass.
The recap really improved the sound. I think this is not the case with all speakers (depending on how they are ageing but it perfectly worked on mine ;) !
I think you alos have to check the magnet (but if you see the woofer mooving...)
Best regards,
Right. Forty euros later I've got the S45 (not 2) with their stands and unfortunately the tweeters are burnt beyond repair.
Everything else works though. I will need to find a pair of Philips AD0162T8 units, not at the silly price they ask on ePay...
There is a pair on leboncoin in Chartres for 40€, maybe you can negotiate ;)
chartz: Right. Forty euros later I've got the S45 (not 2) with their stands and unfortunately the tweeters are burnt beyond repair. Everything else works though. I will need to find a pair of Philips AD0162T8 units, not at the silly price they ask on ePay...
Which S45? The earlier ones with the trumpet stands? Or the (dare I say it) boring late Uniphase 2 way versions?
Maybe I can help you with the tweets?
The ones pictured above I'm afraid. Not worth it then?
the one pictured above are the good one (type 6302), same as the first S45-2 but with a plastic back.
They will probably came with a trumpet stand but I never saw one. Mine are mounted with the square stand (see picture).
Leslie, you always have what people are searching for ;)
And a lot more to come my friend. Last week for Bulgaria...
Mine don't have a plastic back. It's wooden.
we ever had a debate on these speakers : http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/7470/66497.aspx#66497
I think there are much more references that the one referenced on beoworld :
S45-1 : straight resin back
S45-1 : angle resin back
S45-2 : wooden back
These 3 speakers have identical front...
S45 : with 2 frets (and foam rot).
Are you sure yours are not S45-2, if no, they could be a third S45-1 back type (after 2 types of resin, wood) ?
They are in fact S45-2 type 6312 after all! Sorry about the confusion! The labels on the fret tell S45, I hadn't looked at the back...
Chartz
If you get desperate you could consider these...
http://www.speakerworks.com/Round_Cloth_Dome_Tweeter_p/gt316.htm
I think they are basically a remanufacture to Philips spec's. Couldn't comment on the sound quality though.
S45-1 and s45-2 go very well with the BM1900
Drew
Good news!
I've found two pairs : two AD160 and two AD162 in good working order for 20€ the lot.
The AD160 are reputedly better, but I guess they won't fit the S45-2 and it is certainly better to use the original reference not to ruin the speaker's balance.
What do you think?