Babb speakers

[BobWaz]

Now that my new to me 87 40' DCMY larger projects are getting done, I recently took on the Babb speakers. There are 4 sets of speakers on the boat. Bridge, salon, aft cabin and forward cabin. The bridge speakers were already replaced. I bought a new set for the salon. In taking out the Babb speakers was quite impressed with their construction and very large magnets. Did some research on them and found out the company was bought by DC Gold Audio in 2007. In speaking to David the owner found out they retailed for $340 a pair when last sold. The problem with mine is the foams were so old that they were falling apart and obviously sounded terrible. For $15.00 a pair for the foams, I bought a set. It does take some patience in getting the grill off and care in removing the remnants of the foam. Using contact cement I glued the new foams in place. I installed the set in the aft state room. The sound is excellent. Now will get 2 more sets and repair the balance of the speakers. Probably will replace the newer speakers on the bridge with the repaired Babbs. So for a $45.00 investment and a bit of time will gain back $1,000 in speakers. Not a bad deal!

 

[rsmith]

Now that my new to me 87 40' DCMY larger projects are getting done, I recently took on the Babb speakers. There are 4 sets of speakers on the boat. Bridge, salon, aft cabin and forward cabin. The bridge speakers were already replaced. I bought a new set for the salon. In taking out the Babb speakers was quite impressed with their construction and very large magnets. Did some research on them and found out the company was bought by DC Gold Audio in 2007. In speaking to David the owner found out they retailed for $340 a pair when last sold. The problem with mine is the foams were so old that they were falling apart and obviously sounded terrible. For $15.00 a pair for the foams, I bought a set. It does take some patience in getting the grill off and care in removing the remnants of the foam. Using contact cement I glued the new foams in place. I installed the set in the aft state room. The sound is excellent. Now will get 2 more sets and repair the balance of the speakers. Probably will replace the newer speakers on the bridge with the repaired Babbs. So for a $45.00 investment and a bit of time will gain back $1,000 in speakers. Not a bad deal!

My best friend and I were underfunded audiophiles when we were kids. We ogled over all the hi end speakers and equiptment. Recently he started finding this stuff showing up in estate sales and thrift stores. Most have only the rotten foam as a issue. He's rebuilt a bunch of these now and they sound better than anything out today.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Sometimes you can find recone kits, too, like at Orange County Speakers- very reasonably priced and they work great.

 

[BobWaz]

Sometimes you can find recone kits, too, like at Orange County Speakers- very reasonably priced and they work great.

In regards to the Babbs they are aluminum with a plastic cone. Seems not effected by age.

 

[Boatsb]

My best friend and I were underfunded audiophiles when we were kids. We ogled over all the hi end speakers and equiptment. Recently he started finding this stuff showing up in estate sales and thrift stores. Most have only the rotten foam as a issue. He's rebuilt a bunch of these now and they sound better than anything out today.

We need to change where you shop.

I have some classic speakers but as good as they sound I can get far better sound and performance from the new technology. I have set up multiple multimedia rooms and edit suites and can not imagine tuning a room without the dsp and amplified speakers.