Old Briks

Posted by: Eric Barry on 07 October 2002

I made an impulse purchase--1979 Isobariks. Apparently these were the Audiophile Systems demos at the 1980 CES. The seller was keeping his vintange 32/snaps/250 and getting smaller speakers.

Unfortunately, I don't have any cables with the correct connector. Does anyone have an old pair you'd part with? What are the cheapest sources for the connectors or the cables. Would a pro sound place have some cheap stranded cables so I could at least get these running?

And secondly, what are forum opinions (what it did and was it good) on the various Brik upgrades over the years including:

-Hiquphon tweeters

-Damping the B110, and then switching to long-throw version

-changing the cabinet to mdf and veneering it

-KuStone cabinet

-taking the crossovers out of the speaker

Thanks for any help.

--Eric
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by Martin Payne
Mark,

in my experience, when Isobariks are working well, they sound even better with the grills on.

cheers, Martin
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by NaimDropper
Saw those on e-bay. You got a deal.
I have the same vintage speaker. It's marked with a "X-O" on the back, making me think that it got a cross-over update sometime in it's life.
I've had mine since 1985 when I bought them from a place out in Kansas that had been using them as in-home demo speakers. I got them for very cheap (at the time) and have never regretted owning them (except for when I have to move them!).
What amplification are you planning to use with them? They are very power hungry. I just bought Mark Russell's 250 and they are much happier than when I had them driven with a Linn LK1& LK2 combo or my 110.
I have a NAXO set up for 'Briks and plan on tri-amping them someday but for now drive them through the original crossover.
I think the biggest weakness in my speakers right now is the stands. I have the original Linn stands and they don't do a great job of coupling the energy into the floor.
Got to go put the kids to bed, more in a moment...
David
Posted on: 08 October 2002 by NaimDropper
Back...
The stands are spiked to the floor and I upgraded the spikes for the speakers some years back. They are very sharp!
The spikes poke through my rug and contact the concrete floor in my music room. They are level and all 4 spikes contact the floor nicely.
Anyway, I've been thinking about Mana stands, but they are so expensive and I don't get a chance to listen first. I know I could return them, but they are special order and I don't know if they would work for me, etc.
I don't know who else makes suitable stands for those speakers.
I've got access to a welder and have been thinking about beefing up the supports on the stands.
I am also considering puting some Hilti bolts in the floor, spaced for the speaker stand spikes, and resting the spikes on those (after careful leveling, etc. I don't know if it would really improve things, just thinking...
Any ideas out there?
Anyway, enjoy your 'Briks and best of luck with them!
David