Stereo systems like they used to...

[Spirtee]

Todays stereo systems aren't what they used to be. Sure their sound may be pleasing, but the visual asthetics just seem to have disappeared. We don't have many die-hard music shops down here in Melbourne. They all seem to be owned by big multi-million dollar corporations, so I end up having to go to the next best place to look for speakers, electronics shops.

Now don't get me wrong, I love the technical side to things, but all I ever see these days are speakers small enough you could put them... you get the point. I envy the people with the old stereo systems, I'm talking about the ones with speakers that are 1m high (approx 3'3" according to my calculations), with firm wooden casings.

</rant>

My point is, does anyone still sell these type of speakers? Can I still buy them? Or will I have to fork out thousands to build a decent stereo system (I'm thinking of using instrumental speakers. Not a bad idea, but might be a bit too expensive).

[isojoe420]

Ebay, Rummage Sales, Newspaper.

[Seafroggys]

I love those old massive stereo systems too. The sound is louder and better, plus you have far more control over the sound of the rig (better EQ controls, etc.) and I like having control over things. These small stereos that you can't fiddle with settings or get loud just suck.

[Nicko_Shmicko]

my parents bought a really good stereo about 15 years ago and it sounds so beautiful still, speakers are about 1 meter and a bit high, i envy them like hell. Hopefully when they die i can get them. Just kidding. Not really.

[Aes820]

Haha. my old man's got this ancient JVC component system.
It's awesome.
The speakers have got a 12" woofer. A couple of 5" mid drivers. 2x 3" mid high drivers and a 2" compression driver.

Plus they've plus they've got these adjustable passive crossovers to adjust the lower mid freqs between the 5" and the 3". And the high mids between the compression driver and the 3".

Compared to my new little Telefunken stereo system that just have got those little speakers. With those little long excursion 3" full range drivers in a bass reflex cabinet.
They sound great, but they lack the visual appearance of a speaker cabinet that can double as a coffee table.

Anyways.
I'm from Canberra and there's a few more 'boutique' places here that still ocasionally deal with these older style setups. There's a place called Duratone Hi Fi that still stock and sell turntables, and audiophile gear.
I guess you'll just have to keep an eye out for a bargain at garage sales or second hand stores if you don't want to fork out many thousands on some audiophile gear.

But for house parties, where i need plenty of volume, I often hook up a couple of PA speakers and crank them.

[Spirtee]

Been looking around eBay, and this is what I'm talking about:

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8325/5c1b0db.th.jpg (http://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=5c1b0db.jpg)

If only it were in better condition

[Seafroggys]

My parents have this stereo system, about 15-20 year old methinks (doesn't have a CD player on it, though it has the hookup, we just plug our DVD player/TV into it) but it wasn't that great of a rig back then. I like it, it has decent controls and stuff, but it peaks at a fairly quiet volume, and it has problems with speakers not completly going out, but losing like half their gain (I hope its not me peaking out the VU meter all the time :D ). They come back to normal again, so its weird, I dunno.

[devildriver421]

My dad has a nice old school system hooked up in our basement. He has some bose speakers, and just everything. I don't even know what most of it is lol.

http://www.bose.com/static/datafeed/images/901_stands.jpg

That looks like his speakers but I dont think it's the same model. He said his are worth $1000+ each.

[moaner]

the soundsytem downsatirs in my house has 5"~ woofers, and you can put drinks on them safely.

[Seafroggys]

My best friend's dad had these kickass Bose speakers that were about 25 years old. One of them went out, his dad sent them in, and got a brand new pair of concert bose speakers for like a third the price!

Bose is a good company.