Any ideas where to find a replacement front speaker for a 72 Cutlass?
Thanks,
Webby

 

Believe most are using "turnswitch.com". Usually not the cheapest, but proper fit and 8-10 ohm impeadance. Most off the shelf car speakers are 4 ohms, and to much load for a vintage radio amplifier sections.

 

Shouldn't be hard to find. All you need to know is the physical size and the impedance in OHMS to match the radio to be used. If using a more recent radio than the original production radio the impedance rating will probably need to be less than the original speakers unless you don't care about frying the radio's amplifier section.

Try these guys chances are you can find whatever you need whether 4 ohm or 8 ohm, or whether round or oval.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/

 

I used them also.

 

Actually the ohms numbers are a misconception. Being an audio guy, can explain a few things. A higher speaker ohm number is actually less load to the the radio, with a lower ohm number being more a load. It's ok to use a higher ohm number speaker to a modern 4 ohm radio, but will play at a slightly lower volume level than designed. Not a good idea running a lower ohm number 4 ohm modern speaker to an older 8-10 ohm radio though. To simplify things. 0 ohms is a dead short, 4 ohms is a heavy load, 10 ohms is less load, and 100 ohms is far less load still.

 

And you are exactly correct! After reading your response I chose to do a bit of refresher reading and found this not exactly easy, but 100% accurate read on the subject with illustrations. Though not dealing with automotive radios and dealing with musical instrument amplifiers the relationships are still accurate.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calcula...akerAndOhm.htm

 

turnswitch.com...good stuff, close ohms + good fit.

 

X2 , I just hook a dang speaker up and be done with it , but if you are mixing new and old equipment then I would check into it for sure . This is great info to know though , thanks for sharing .

 

The speakers from Turnswitch are plug and play, and a good fit. As for sound quality, well that leaves something to be desired. They use a small super magnet with a block of wood to replicate the look of the original. I might look into having my original speaker reconed next time.

 

I've had excellent reconing of several original speakers by Barry Dalton. Check him out at (541) 474-2524 or radiodoc@rvi.net. Mark Palmer

 

You really can't judge a magnet by size any more, as some of the rare earth materials used in todays magnets are increadibly powerful. I have a small Carica brand magnetic retrieval tool with a rare earth magnet, and this thing will pick up a 2 foot iron pipe wrench. As for speaker repair places, maybe try Simply Speakers, Parts Express, or Orange County Speakers. Not sure if they'll do small oval jobs though.

 

Thanks everyone for the great info.