How best should I use these old Zenith Allegro speakers with a modern receiver?

December 17, 2003 8:23 AM

I have an old Pair of Zenith Allegro speakers (50-watt, 8-ohm) with pre-attached cables and RCA-style plugs (male) for connecting to the stereo. I'd like to use them with a more modern receiver (50-watt max, 8-ohm) that accepts straight wire from the stereo; should I just lop off the ends and wire them in, or is there a better method? Also, can I use them with a >50-watt stereo if I keep the volume down, or is that just bad?
posted by The Michael The to Technology (2 answers total)

I have no answer for you re: using 50W speakers with a 50+W stereo, but if you want to preserve the plugs on the speakers and still connect to the receiver, try to find a female-female connector cable (or two cables with female ends), cut it in half and strip the cut ends. Stick one half on each speaker and voilà!
posted by me3dia at 8:48 AM on December 17, 2003

Yes, you can hang "weaker" speakers from an amplifier with higer output. You do, however, run the risk of blowing the speakers out at what would likely sound like a loud-but-not-ridiculous volume.

If you're into this project because you particularly like the sound of these speakers, use the amp with lower power output.

I also second the suggestion to take a female-female RCA cable and hack it in half to use as adaptors.
posted by majick at 12:36 PM on December 17, 2003