Found these Monitor Audio speakers in an antique store......

Wayner · « **on:** 23 Aug 2021, 12:29 am »

I offered $40 for the pair and they took it. The walnut veneer cabinets had scratches on all of the sides, but the drivers looked good. Got them home, got the sander out. There was enough veneer thickness that allowed me to remove all of the scratches. A little tong oil and these babies look (and sound) like brand new.

As I was listening to them after the sanding job, I noticed the SEAS tweeter from the H086 family of drivers. Soft dome fabric, but not doped like the Dynaco version. I also had to fix one of the banana jacks on the back, so I removed the passive radiator (lowest driver) and behold, Wonder and FIMA caps in the XO. Pretty nice components for the XO. No wonder they sound so good.

The problem is I can't find boo about these speakers anywhere. They could be 30-40 years old for all I know. Odd that the speaker grills never had one accident, they are as near perfect as one could expect.

Any info would be appreciated.

Wayner

orthobiz · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 12:37 am »

Nice score even though I have no further information to help you...

Paul

SteveFord · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 12:54 am »

Looks like you found some rare ones.
I saw one thread where Monitor Audio was able to assist with an older model so drop them a line.

S Clark · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 01:39 am »

They're British. Been around since the early 70's. These look similar to the MA-1 model, but not exactly. Probably a later version... late 70's?
https://www.monitoraudio.com/

dB Cooper · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 01:41 am »

The company is still in business.

lazydays · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 06:53 am »

kind of look like the old Electrovoice series that used a passive radiator. They did an eight inch wolfer radiator combo and a ten inch version
gary

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 11:16 am »

Awesome find Wayne. These are so old even I don't remember them, back from the days before subwoofers were common and almost all speakers were full range.

Wayner · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 12:07 pm »

I forgot to post a model number (I think) that I found on the back "MA 88 1036" on a sticker that has been placed over the "Made in Britain" sticker.

I have been searching using this number as well, but have basically struck out.

'ner

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 12:46 pm »

Seems they are from 1976/77
https://googleweblight.com/sp?u=https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/found-these-monitor-audio-speakers.969434/&grqid=Uz1qGZmd&hl=pt-BR

Norman Tracy · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 04:15 pm »

Nice score Wayner. Did they come with the cute blond in the maxi-dress and brandy in the decanter on the chrome+glass coffee table? Looks like the makings of quite the elegant party.

Wayner · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 09:50 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 23 Aug 2021, 12:46 pm

Seems they are from 1976/77
https://googleweblight.com/sp?u=https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/found-these-monitor-audio-speakers.969434/&grqid=Uz1qGZmd&hl=pt-BR

You linked this thread, so your conclusion has a problem.

SteveFord · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Aug 2021, 11:29 pm »

Was anyone on any of the sites able to give you a definitie answer to your question?
Did you contact the manufacturer?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Aug 2021, 01:32 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 23 Aug 2021, 09:50 pm

You linked this thread, so your conclusion has a problem.

I liked AudioKarma where apparently you posted a similar topic, to me this speaker has great históric value even Iam not being a British, always are Interesting tô listen how strange those vintage speakers sounded.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Aug 2021, 10:01 am »

They have a passive radiator and a port?!? How does that work?!?

The Wonder Caps may have been user-retrofitted. Ask your friend FVA about them, and you might replace them with something else. He had a lot of trouble getting trial samples and once he did, he found them to be very microphonic- just what you want inside a speaker cabinet

Wayner · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Aug 2021, 11:46 am »

There is no port. I do not hear any microphonics. Caps appear to be original equipment.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Aug 2021, 09:52 pm »

What is exactly the botton slot ?
They are vented or sealed ?

Wayner · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Aug 2021, 11:34 pm »

Its just a built in stand. No vent, no slot they are sealed speakers with a passive radiator.

SteveFord · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Aug 2021, 11:46 pm »

I would have bet anything those were vented on the bottom.
So, what do you think of the sound?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Aug 2021, 12:01 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 24 Aug 2021, 11:34 pm

Its just a built in stand. No vent, no slot they are sealed speakers with a passive radiator.

Interesting, PR was rarely used except Klipsch Forte, this is a nice vintage speaker to pair with old tube amps.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Aug 2021, 01:41 am »

Send a picture of them to Monitor Audio. I bet they can tell you what they are. Very cool that they are in such good condition and sound good.