[dlmcc]

Looking for some input.
I found six outdoor speakers at a great price, the catch is they are 70 volt.
The plan is to use them outside on the patio for background music. I like the idea of multiple speakers with independent volumes but have a few questions.
   Is this worth pursuing? Or should I go the conventional method?
   The amps seem to be fairly expensive.
        What kind of amp do I really need?
   How much difference do the amps make in this application?
   How much difference does speaker wire make? (What should I use? )


Anyone have an amp that would work for this?
Thanks in advance for the help
Doug

[Bob in St. Louis]

Isn't John ("T.G.C.") a 70 volt guy?
I pinged him in the title, hopefully he'll see it and reply.

Bob

[Joe_K]

Hi Doug,
Here’s a couple of good articles / links on 70 volt systems,
There’s companies that make transformers to connect to your amp to send out a 70v signal.

The easiest (and possibly best) thing to do would be to remove the transformer in the speaker and connect your amp directly to the speaker. The individual level controls should still work, or be able to be connected?

http://www.horrorseek.com/home/halloween/wolfstone/Audio/spk70v_70VoltSpeakers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant_voltage_speaker_system

I do have a couple of vintage Stromberg-Carlson mono blocks in storage, 6L6 based, with all kinds of transformer taps including 70 volt, but they should be recapped before use.
Joe

[ebag4]

You may want to check your speakers to determine if it is worth it.  If they are PA or fire system type speakers these typically have a limited bandwidth which may not give you the outcome you are after.

Best,
Ed

[dlmcc]

Thanks for the replies
The speakers are   QUAM  FM6X1/70W
TWO-WAY; 127 MILLIMETER AIR SUSPENSION
POLYPROPYLENE WOOFER, 35 MILLIMETER DOME TWEETER,
LINE MATCHING 70.7 VOLT, TWENTY WATTS RMS MAXIMUM
POWER TAP SETTING EXTERNALLY ADJUSTED ON REAR OF
SWITCH SPEAKER ENCLOSURE WITH STOPS AT: OFF,
1.25W, 2.5W, 5W, 10W, 20W

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 100 Hz - 15 KHz

SENSITIVITY @ 1 METER, 1W 88, 91, 94, 97, 100 db SPL (ASCENDING TAPS AT RATED POWER)

They sound ok for background outdoor music.. just using a regular amp.
I don’t think I can bypass the transformer and still have the ability for individual volume adjustments.... but I may found have a reasonable solution.
Joe’s links lead me to two sources--- thx
RS has a NXG NX-70VTR 70-Volt Line-Matching Transformer  Catalog #: 55013095 for $15

Crown Audio T-170V - Constant Voltage Transformer $50
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413037-REG/Crown_Audio_T170V_T_170V_Constant_Voltage.html#specifications
I am going to try one of these and see what I can break.
Doug