How to set up old speakers

[wuubb]

G'day all!

So the other day I was helping clean out the basement and I found some old yamaha speakers that my dad used to use. I found an pair of NS1000m's and a pair of a638's (smaller and dont have a stand). After looking them up a bit, they seem like pretty good speakers, my dad also was sort of an audiophile so I hope that whatever he would buy would be good quality.

Both have simply a read and black inputs in the back labeled "+" and "-". I think that they are probably a kind of bare wire connection? Im not sure as I've never seen these before. I am thinking of setting them up to use with my steinberg UR44 interface that I use with pro tools, sibelius, etc. The UR44 has only 1/4 outputs (6 of them), so I'm not really sure if what kind of cables to get. Are there cables that go from 1/4 to + and -? would I have to have a separate cable from the UR44 for each + and each -?

Lastly, I would also want to connect my computer audio to these for if I want to watch a movie or anything that isnt audio work. (I dont like the have the UR44 on all the time, only when Im doing music work) Is there a way to hook up both the output from the UR44 and the computer to these 4 speakers? The motherboard has a line in, line out, mic, RS, CS, and SS out (Im pretty sure that rear, center, and side surround).

Any help with figuring out a setup would be greatly appreciated. If you can attach a diagram too, that would be greatly appreciated, I understand things better visually.
Thanks,
Wuubb

[Tim Gillett]

Sounds like your dad's speakers are passive and need a power amp to drive them. I suspect you will need to insert a suitable power amp in between your interface and the speakers.

Tim

[Richard Graham]

Buy a stereo amp (not surround) with 2 pairs of outputs. Most domestic hifi amps would do the job. Connect the UR44 via a stereo phono to phono cable, with 1/4 inch jack adaptors at the end you plug into the Steinberg interface. Connect the amp's speaker outputs to the speakers using hifi speaker cable. You could also connect your 1/8 inch computer out to another input on the amp, using a 1/8 inch jack to pair of phono connectors lead. The hifi amp will have both speaker selectors and a way of switching between the inputs from the interface and from your PC.

[James Perrett]

Calling the Yamaha's 'pretty good' is probably a bit of an understatement. They were some of the best speakers that the Japanese have ever made and are probably collectors items. You will need a decent amp to go with them and don't even think about using the motherboard audio - these speakers deserve a decent DAC.

[Logarhythm]

What these guys said ref. amps - you need something to power them but lots of options available.
The NS-A638 aren't anything particularly special, but you're a lucky sod finding a pair of NS1000ms in the basement! These are fantastic monitors (IMHO) and worth trying to find a decent amp to drive them. They're still fetching £800+ in good condition in the UK and are quite sought after, so if they aren't what you need or don't have space to take full advantage of them you should have no problems selling them.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The others here have said all that needs to be said... but I'll add my confirmation that the NS1000s are (if in decent condition) superb reference monitor speakers that still have a strong second hand value, and which will out-perform many mid-budget monitors today. You just need a decent power amp to drive them.

H

[wuubb]

Wow...I had no idea they were so "legendary" so to speak! I am still new to the audio world, so thanks for the insight. Do you guys have any reccomendations on a good amp that could power them thats not going to break the bank (and have enough outputs for both the steinberg and MB (MB is only for movies and youtube and stuff lol, I'd never do any Pro Tools/Sibelius work with that!)).

Appreciate all the help!
Wuubb

[ef37a]

Found this..
http://www.magnat.tv/yamaha_ns1000M.shtml

They were rated at 100W but there seems to be a view that...
1) they are not very sensitive.
2) they will cope with a 300W amp perfectly well.
They are also not considered suitable for use as nearfields so you might consider selling them.

Why do you use the MOBO sound output at all? You can run Youtube crap through the Steinberg just as easily.

BTW...DON'T eat the tweeter or MR cones! They are made of the very poisonous Beryllium.

Dave.

[Logarhythm]

Dave's advice is reasonable - for these you're possibly better aiming for an "overpowered" amp and just making sure you don't turn it up to full - it's easier to damage them using something underpowered, as pushing the amp into clipping is an easy way to wreck the tweeters (and they're a PITA to find replacements for...).
Physical size possibly makes them less than ideal for nearfield use, but if you've got space to use a mid/main monitor then they'll do a fine job.

[DC-Choppah]

Hey man, if these are really old, you might find that the foam around the woofer has become brittle and cracks. If so, no worries, that can be replaced with stuff like this: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Speaker-Repair-NS-1000-FSK-12A/... There are other sources too.

Just replace the moving parts and you can keep them going forever.

These guys deserve a little love and attention. You might want to upgrade the foam anyway just to get them to sound they like are supposed to.

[wuubb]

What about cables? All of the amps I see have speakON outputs, and these speakers take a bare wire input. Would I have to buy a connector and bare wire and make it myself? How good would the quality be if I did this?

[Hugh Robjohns]

The Neutrik Speakon connector is becoming the industry standard, but there are plenty of amps still around with binding posts/4mm socket connectors.

Wiring up a Speakon is very simple as many have screw terminals inside so don't need soldering. You can also buy ready-made cables with Speakons at one or both ends.

Quality is not an issue provided you use a sensible gauge of cable. Nothing exotic is required -- simple two-core 13A mains cable is more than adequate.

H

[Martin Walker]

Quality is not an issue provided you use a sensible gauge of cable. Nothing exotic is required -- simple two-core 13A mains cable is more than adequate.

Indeed, and Hugh is quite partial to using orange lawnmower mains cable for loudspeaker connections



Martin

[damoore]

Trouble with that is you would need to hook up an audio oscillator to your amp to mow the lawn. On the other hand, you could run it at 100Hz and do the job in half the time.

[Martin Walker]

Trouble with that is you would need to hook up an audio oscillator to your amp to mow the lawn. On the other hand, you could run it at 100Hz and do the job in half the time.

Naa - I'd invert half the waveform, which would rectify the problem straight away.

Martin