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Utah 18" driversw/ alnico magnets

Anyone have any info on Utah 18" drivers? I think they were manufactured in the mid seventies and had Alnico magnets. I think they were also used in Trusonic speakers from the mid 70's. I found a pair of custom project speakers that have the Utah 18' drivers with a 4" mid range and a high frq. horn. Would theses speaker be worth looking into?
Thanks
Randy
man630
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Utah used to oem relatively inexpensive raw drivers for trusonic (among others). Commendably they insisted on using alnico for the magnets (an excellent thing to do, and nowadays very expensive). They also offered speakers I think...
SO,
The answer to your question is, it depends on price, the CONDITION of the drivers, and yr needs.
If the woofs especially are in good condition (check surrounds, noises, etc), you have use for these drivers, and are interested in tinkering with the speakers, then go for them. After that it's a matter of price.
18" alnico are expensive nowadays, if that's anything to go by... and some trusonics (possibly manufactured by Utah) fetch quite good prices on e-bay.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Gregm...You say "Commendably they insisted on using alnico for the magnets". I don't understand the "Commendably", because as I remember the 50's all decent drivers used Alnico. Why is it such a big deal today. I believe that various other magnetic materials are stronger.

I hope that someone is not goint to tell us that Alnico Gauss are different from ceramic Gauss (like tube watts and ss watts).

Utah was big in the PA system business.
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Eldartford: "Why is (alnico) such a big deal today" Mostly because it's expensive now and not very commonly found in drivers.
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