Drake MS-4 Speaker Replacement – that little cackle in my MS-4 Speaker’s been buggin’ me. Nothing intolerable, just annoying. Anybody that’s been around awhile knows these old 50+ year old rigs have a wholesome, full sound – a real pleasure to listen to. I like listening to their warm tones while working in the shack. But after decades things wear out – and then they develop an annoying cackle (where have I heard an annoying cackle before?).
So while listening on 20 Meters a few evenings ago I decided to Google if anybody still made a replacement speaker. I found a new one for $37 at Surplus Sales of Nebraska: SPKR-4-57
It arrived today, just a couple days after I ordered it.
The new speaker is quite a bit heavier than the old one – in fact, it’s over double the weight! 28.8 ounces versus 13.7 ounces. The magnet is quite a bit larger and heavier, even though they’re both 5″ X 7″ speakers (optical illusion in the pics).
Here’s a couple pics of the R & R:
Here’s a short video of the Drake B Line with the new speaker mounted in the MS-4. Ahhhhh, beautiful, warm, wholesome audio again (and NO cackle!):
The old Drake MS-4 is good for another 50 years!
N0UN
Love it! Wish I would not have sold my R4C/ T4XC… they were still perfect. I really liked the spot feature and the VFO lights following the RX/ TX/ SPLIT switch. I probably worked 300 countries with the Drake Twins! Had them put up and sealed in plastic and thought, I should let someone else enjoy these… some guy in FL bought them from me (via ebay). I bought them in Aug 1980 when I got my Extra (prior call WB5EDO). I never had a L4B or matching speaker (I think it also held the T4XC PSU?). I used a Heathkit speaker on mine that sounded great… If I get another set of twins, I’ll look for the MS-4 to complete the setup.