intro
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the vintage Sansui s2000 4 way 6 speaker comes in a massive mdf wood cabinet.So 12 drivers per pair.ok, they have a really dated wood patterned grille and are basically a big box. They may not look like much,but read on. They go on eBay for $200-400 range.;"As one would guess, they are made in Japan in the 1960's & 1970's and were a favorite of military stationed overseas during the Vietnam war era. they were known to be a"loud" speaker and at 47 pounds per speaker;These are heavy. on the back you find two knobs,one for the midrange and one for the tweeter.The listener can choose between soft to natural to clear (high) with these two knobs.The 12" paper cone woofer is quite common and then 2 midrange and then 2 tweeters horns and one super tweeter.
first listen
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I quickly replaced my electrovoice sentry 4's in my home theater system and was eager to hear the
Sansui. Well, the sound was clear, but underwhelming , almost thin. not much bass at all." Surely, they can do better,no one would want these" I thought.However, I then changed to standard stereo mode and cranked the receiver from 50db to 66db and they came alive. my god, these are tanks as far as speakers go!! At loud levels they come alive and sound gigantic,almost like a p.a. speaker. It accepted all my receiver could give and wanted more.clean sounding at very loud levels.
I think that this is the Sansui s2000's secret. Most, will drive them at moderate levels and while they will play, they will sound thin and lacking.But opened up at loud levels, its unbelievable!!! they come alive and dont even seem to mind super loud levels, the paper cone 12" bass doesn't seem to move at all.I wonder how they would do with a 500watt power amp ,but in this case a 750 watt 6.1 onkyo receiver with about 100 watts per ch or so.. Definitely, a true rock speaker. tight bass at loud levels.
I would recommend these to those with a minimum medium to large room and accepting neighbors. Small apartment dwellers would not be happy needing to get the volume levels they require and their neighbors would not appreciate it either.It also makes for a decent home theater speaker but you can tell that they are like a race horse waiting to get out on to the track. I tried some contemporary jazz and other rock and metal sources and it is just incredible.the clarity and tightness at high volume levels. I don't think I have heard a better speaker at these volume levels.one disclaimer, I then added a Klipsch 400 watt powered sub and the sound quality is superb.They fit very well together.
I placed them on speaker stands and in 2 ch stereo mode they are just crystal clear. I can play them during the day when listening to music actively. Its just sometimes amazing to have this solid of a sound.On some material it was like Having the actual guitar amp in front of you.For home theater, the Sansui is quite reserved and has the finesse to still sound like a high quality speaker and fits right in as fronts to a 5.1 or above surround speaker setup..
conclusion
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I was going to fork over $1k on a pair of new Klipsch r280f's (a great speaker as well). Well,no longer. The Sansui's provide audiophile sound and at high levels they provide a full range sound that not even a Klipsch r280f can match without much strain if at all.the Sansui s2000 is a beast requiring lots of power (that any decent
100 watt amp can provide) but is still very efficient and even with a small receiver can deliver high volume levels,but always super clean, undistorted audiophile quality sound. However, at low volume levels is does an ok job, but a bit lacking.
Sadly, most will not realize the potential of these beastly speakers because they are content to play them softly.However at loud levels, they sound like speakers costing thousands more. The volume equals what a live band in your living room would sound like. I absolutely love the snap you get from drums dues to its really beefy cabinet and then add the deep bass from its 4 way speaker setup and its magic.It just always makes you take notice. Try Pink Floyd "the Wall" at a loud level as a reference and its just stunning.So, really,ok for home theater but really best for times when you want to ROCK!!!!! I liked them so much, that I immediately bought a second pair on ebay. I haven't been this excited about a stereo speaker since the jbl l-250 yeas ago. Even old material sounds crisp,beefy, tight and airy!! Lets try to keep these a secret before they become too scarce or expensive!!
Heakit- this speaker looks like those cheap jc penny crappy speakers and only 2 way.but upon hooking them up, the sound was incredible!! supr clear,full range great bass,mid ,highs. very open sound. completely blew away the other two. i heard the woofer in each are going for $100 and I now see why. filled my living room very well for smallish speakers. very nice.big horn provides almost "holographic sound going way beyond the speakers.
