Would you touch these with a 10’ pole?

[Darby Crash]

Sonab OA14’s
Ive read everything i can find about them and the founders philosophy about reflective sound. They can be saved but the antique shop stall owner is asking $99. They have been there for months. They are missing a mesh top so it will prob never be replaced or could be made. I think i might offer $25. Cabinet of 1 is ruff

 

[petehall347]

think you might be best off looking for good ones . or take those away for no cost .. some people might have the means to fix those up . not me .

 

[Ds2000]

Those are really cool but are also in really rough shape. If the drivers work, maybe offer the $25. The rest of the work will require a lot of time and effort. They are a fun speaker when working properly.

 

[BillWojo]

I picture a little GI Joe doll trying to rock climb on all those protrusions. Funky looking speakers.

BillWojo

 

[KingBubba]

Let it go. Nothing but pain in those.

 

[RxDx]

Carlsson says it hits 29hz +/- 3db? For a 6.5" "mid-bass"? At least you
wouldn't have to upgrade 8 tweeters. It would still be a labor of love.

 

[Splatter Pak]

I would not take those home if they were free.

 

[maxhifi]

I would probably want to buy them, if the seller dropped the price. They aren't that common and are a neat design.

 

[62vauxhall]

It's a 30 plus year old memory but I had use of a pair of those for a year or so and thought they sounded pretty good. Much better than what I thought they would based on looks and cabinet volume.

But at least they're a manageable size if you chose to restore them.

 

[gdmoore28]

If the drivers work, I'd buy them for $25. I've read a couple of good reviews by owners who seemed very objective in their review. But, I'd feel much more enthused by them if the price was closer to $10.

GeeDeeEmm

 

[savatage1973]

Maybe with a 10' pole, but not with a $100 bill. Those are rough, and if you should need replacement drivers (tweeters), can you even find them?

 

[motorstereo]

Spending money on crap like that is what prevents one from owning quality gear.

 

[dzkfraser]

Get 'em cheap and make it a long term project, won't be fixing them up overnight. probably cost more to fix than they are worth but think of the space you will be saving in the landfill. I'd probably get them if the price was right, but that's just me, I love a challenge

 

[savatage1973]

I love a challenge

So do I, but I hate to put myself "deep in the hole" unless it is for something that I really want. I am not a "flipper" into this hobby to make money, but I don't like the idea of losing my a$$ on something, just to prove I could fix it.

 

[dzkfraser]

So do I, but I hate to put myself "deep in the hole" unless it is for something that I really want. I am not a "flipper" into this hobby to make money, but I don't like the idea of losing my a$$ on something, just to prove I could fix it.

Jesus Saves

 

[knockbill]

I agree to pass them up... I'd really have to think hard about taking them for free,,, But I've been offered free speakers before... A pair of OLAs,,, and two nice pair of Criterions...

 

[quiet]

I think they're condition is worse than they look. And what goes on top? Where is it? I don't see any warm fuzzy feeling coming at the end of that expensive time consuming project. Just buyers remorse. They're to far gone.

 

[tarior]

My main concern would be insuring that the tweeters work.

 

[rherber1]

I was recently given a pair of OA14's in about the same condition - minus the woofers. Fortunately, I had a pair of original woofers stored away for 30 years which just needed new surrounds.

Despite the naysayers who advise not to touch them with the proverbial 10ft pole, I decided to restore them complete with new 12mm MR MDF cabinets made from my measurements by a CNC routing company.

These are pics of the destruction and current progress of restoration.

 

[bowtie427ss]

I was recently given a pair of OA14's in about the same condition - minus the woofers. Fortunately, I had a pair of original woofers stored away for 30 years which just needed new surrounds.

Despite the naysayers who advise not to touch them with the proverbial 10ft pole, I decided to restore them complete with new 12mm MR MDF cabinets made from my measurements by a CNC routing company.

These are pics of the destruction and current progress of restoration.
View attachment 2044601 View attachment 2044603 View attachment 2044604

Finally!

Somebody that knows what these are, and the joy they can bring.

Nice restore, and thanks for posting!