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Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns

71.200.53.28
Posted on April 29, 2020 at 04:53:40
MikePSD
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Delaware, USA
Joined: April 26, 2020



Re-posting here on suggestion from the folks on the normal speaker forum.

I just came into possession of a set of old RCA speakers and am looking for details. These came from an old movie theater, built in 1948 so that might be when they were installed. I bought the theater for a craft distillery but the previous owner had taken out everything years before. He just dropped these off for me when he was cleaning out his storage facility. I understand they were part of a set that included boxes and these are the high range part of the system. All told there are 4 RCA MI-9584-A drivers, 4 RCA MI-9595 horns, and the dual throat adapters to connect it all. It looks to be in good shape (one of the drivers has a crack in the back cover and some of the insulation on the horns is a bit chewed up). What I am looking for are thoughts on the following:

How can I check to see if these are in working order? I don't have any tube amps or specialized equipment other than a multi-meter.

Any recommendations on cleaning these up, especially things not to do!

I am highly unlikely to take on a new hobby without my wife killing me, so these will likely need to find a new home. So, is there value to offering them for sale as a set or as individual components? Ebay has been of little help, not many examples or comparisons to glean info from.

I have lots more pictures if needed. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

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RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on February 18, 2022 at 15:09:43
ElCortezGuy
Industry Professional

Posts: 3
Location: New York City
Joined: February 14, 2022
 Hi!

Just saw your post. I am restoring the El Cortez theater in New Mexico and I need one of those RCA MI-9584 drivers to make the sound system comeplete. Using all the vintage tube amps and transformers. Do you have any of those drivers left? Feel free to email me at guy at FRDG dot nyc.

Thank you!
So many tubes, I'm never cold.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on February 22, 2022 at 19:38:58
mnawaz3@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 502
Joined: March 28, 2002
 where in NM ? i am in Santa FE area and would like to see your theater.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on July 28, 2020 at 11:21:07
Ed Sawyer
Audiophile

Posts: 2595
Joined: November 3, 2000
 FWIW these sold on ebay for about $3100 I think, which is a pretty good deal overall for both parties.

 

Where are you located, posted on April 30, 2020 at 14:19:11
Scholl
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 1358
Joined: March 8, 2001
 If you didn't say already some guys around here might buy them.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 30, 2020 at 14:08:47
Scholl
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 1358
Joined: March 8, 2001
 Maybe contact Jonathan at Oswalds Mil Audio.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 30, 2020 at 03:19:59
mnawaz3@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 502
Joined: March 28, 2002
 definitely keep them together. not many horn hobbyists around and most dont like to spend more than what the unit is worth on the market. so, unless you can find someone who is actually looking for these and who also has considerable disposable funds, it is unlikely that you would get a good price in a reasonable time frame. if they came into my position, and they were not suitable for me.. i would go to the auction site with a buy it now for $1500.. if it did not sell in 3 months, bring it down $1100... and continue downwards till they get sold. alternatively, just start an auction at $300 and see what it pulls in.

it will help you if you can find out if any alternative drivers (EV,altec,jbl) fit on the horn. the rca drivers probably are not supportble.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 30, 2020 at 06:51:09
MikePSD
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Delaware, USA
Joined: April 26, 2020
 Thanks. Something like that is what I was thinking. I don't have the time or inclination to split them up, and since they are basically just "found" items for me anything I can get for them is gravy.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 30, 2020 at 09:26:36
mnawaz3@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 502
Joined: March 28, 2002
 i think $1500 for 1 pair drivers & horns in working condition is an ok price.. low for a collector but somewhat attractive for someone who wants to take a chance on them.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 29, 2020 at 05:30:55
Alpha Al
Industry Professional

Posts: 2958
Location: N. Carolina
Joined: February 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: December 3, 2015
 I assume these are permanent magnet drivers and not field coil drivers.

(Field coil drivers have four terminals, permanent magnet drivers have two).

Test the drivers with a multimeter set to RX1. You should get a reading (10-20 Ohms), and hear a click.

What you don't want to do is connect them directly to a full range source. They must be crossed over, as low frequencies will cause damage if they are good.

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 30, 2020 at 06:49:00
MikePSD
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: Delaware, USA
Joined: April 26, 2020
 They ave two terminals so I assume that makes these permanent magnate drivers. I managed to get the meter on them last night and inspect the diaphragms. They say 15 ohms on the terminals and they all look to be in very food shape for over 70 years old. The meter read the following, which all seems to be in range for what would be expected:

SN: 1254 = 13.5 ohms
SN: 1296 = 13.4 ohms
SN: 1306 = 13.5 ohms
SN: 1273 = 13.9 ohms

That seem right?

 

RE: Questions about RCA MI-9584-A Drivers and MI-9595 Horns, posted on April 30, 2020 at 09:28:13
mnawaz3@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 502
Joined: March 28, 2002
 yes, that looks good.

 

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