The Workbench

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

BenSA — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:59:00 GMT

I can't imagine destroying a pair of S55, maybe because they were the first B&O speakers I ever got.

I quite enjoy fixing up speakers that look a bit tired. Have had some brilliant results plus its always nice to have a challenge. Unfortunately I am one of those people who cringe when people alter anything with a B&O...thats just me though of course!

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Peter — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:08:13 GMT

The grilles clip on the outside which will be included in the gross volume - they are a fair way from the fronts - much more so than the S45-2 and this will add quite a bit to the gross volume. I have pulled several of these speakers apart and the finish inside of the later speakers always disappointed me. The insides of the early Uniphase speakers was always most impressive - except the crossover board! The late versions had wood that appeared unplaned and just not so nicely put together. I do like S55 speakers in sound though and the S120 though the ones I had were not a very nice colour teak.

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Steffen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:34:43 GMT

Oops! My mistake. Of course you're right, Martin -they are S45.

By the way - dimensions are (cm):

S45.2: 26x48x21

"New" S45: 26,5x52,5x20

S55: 26,5x52,5x23

So, Peter -I don't know what "odd grilles" you mean...The only difference between the 2 "new" is the depht (3 cm's). Perhaps you are thinking of the S120/MC120.2 which has a small "grille" under the frets.

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Peter — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:38:44 GMT

Those volumes are gross volume - the S55 will appear bigger due to the odd grilles! The internal volume of the S55 is 20 litres - not sure about the S45-2 - I cannot find the figure but I would guess only a bit smaller. The S55 is the successor to the S45-2 - both are good quality speakers though I favour the S45-2. Just has a little magic that seems missing from most of the other Beovoxes.

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

burantek — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:45:25 GMT

OK... this is interesting...

I have (2) pair of the early single fret S45.

I have a pair each of the later double fret S45 and S55.

The reason I chose the S55 cab was because it was a 3-way unit (same as early S45) rather than the 2-way unit of the revised S45.

With all of the cabs sitting next to each other, I find it remakable that there is a volume delta of 7 liters. Granted the S55 is a bigger speaker, but, wow.

If I decide to proceed, I would do one at a time and of course, compare!

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Dillen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:41:00 GMT

The ones currently for sale in Denmark were of the newer type S45, they were not S55.
The original woofer in the S55 is 6.4 Ohms. Hardly replaceable with anything else with good results.

Martin

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Yasin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:10:59 GMT

My friend you have done an enormous job ! As i am a S 45 user (which i bought as rubish and had spent one month o repair) sound is excellent. S45 has a volume of 25 litres ang S55 has a volume of 32 litres which might change low frequency sounds.On the other hand it can sound good why not?. On my S 45's back part there are 2 air windows can be opened .I tried them open and not satisfied,then closed them with their lids.If you ever have a problem with lower frequencies you can fill the inner back part with 7 litres stuff instead (32-25=7) as S45 woofer is designed aproximately for 25 litres.Hope you enjoy your new speakers :)

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

burantek — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:01:23 GMT

Thx Steffen... At least somebody else out there has tried it!

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Steffen — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:44:25 GMT

On the QXL market here in Denmark, i've just seen a pair of the newer S55 fitted with units from the old S45. So it is possible. However - I don't know about the sound...

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

tournedos — Wed, 19 May 2010 09:17:02 GMT

Fix them up then

Have to confess that I like the looks of the later dual fret series much more as well... but I still fear that the result of the transplant would not sound as good either if you have to do some kind of enclosure mods to accomodate the "wrong" drivers.

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

burantek — Wed, 19 May 2010 07:45:25 GMT

Dillen:

What's wrong with the S45 cabinets ?

Martin

Honestly... nothing catastrophic! Just tired!

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Dillen — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:30:09 GMT

What's wrong with the S45 cabinets ?

Martin

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

burantek — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:18:24 GMT

OH, YOU PURISTS!

Like I said... a strange question...

The way I look at it: I have a pair of devilish looking speakers that sound like angels, on the other side -I have a pair of angelic looking speakers that sound like the devil! I do agree that I hate butchering stuff and I would not do it if there was cutting/pulling/prodding involved, but again if the result would be a pair of fantastic sounding and looking speakers and perhaps reversible...

This is not a front burner project, but something that sort of popped in my head. I will, however, take a closer look when I have the time.

Thanks guys!

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

tournedos — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:00:59 GMT

burantek:

Assuming that the cabinets are near identical w/ regards to volume and dynamics, is there anything stopping me from transplanting the S45 internals into the S55 cabinet? I think that the early S45's are simply marvelous sounding, but I kind of like the looks of the later revised uniphases...

Nothing to stop you - but I think you'd be destroying two pairs of speakers! I've done my share of transplanting odd stuff to another odd stuff, but as we're talking about B&O, where's the reward? If you are not happy with the looks or the performance of a certain speaker model, just aim for another one.

I don't really know how this stuff works outside of my country, but I'd also suspect that such a bastar*ized piece of kit would be a resale problem. Considering if you ever want to sell anything - you are of course free to do anything with your own kit!

Re: S45 recabbed into S55

Peter — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:47:38 GMT

I think the cabinets of the earlier speakers are far better made. Each to their own though. Not sure how easy it will be as the drivers are quite different.