Pathe Vox and Supervox speaker details

[Paul Morris]

Hi folks. I'm new here, but have had 9.5 projectors and film since my undergraduate days of over 40 years ago (a Pathe "Lux" and a Specto B) I recently had the good fortune to purchase the two sound projectors mentioned above, but neither had a speaker. I am currently making a speaker cabinet from the scant details I can find, but if some kind person has one "in captivity" and would share some photos, I'd be so grateful (or a spare one to sell even?!) Any one moving on some sound films would also find a potentially interested customer here too! Thanks for reading.

Paul Morris

[Ken Finch]

Hi Paul, It depends on what amplifiers are fitted. If they are the original ones, Lee Mannering on this forum is very knowledgeable about the Vox and Super Vox. If they are the original amps the speakers may have been mains energised. The socket for the speaker lead would have four wires connected to it. If they have a more modern amp it would have just 2 wires connected to the socket from the output transformer on the amp chassis. Most more modern amps have 8 ohm speakers. The size of the diameter of the speaker can be anything from 6 to 12 inches diameter. Optical sound is not hi fi,

[Bren Jacques]

Hi Paul, as Ken said above the original Vox speaker is a Mains Energised/Field Coil type. I have a few Vox and Super Vox projectors but never came across an original speaker. I'm sure a standard permanent magnet speaker can be used as from memory the field coil supply is very odd and doesn't actually disrupt the HT supply for the amplifier. The original socket also acts as the mains switch for the amp so this may have to be bridged or a switch fitted in place unless you can find a original plug which I believe is based on the American UX5 type valve socket.

[Ken Finch]

Hi, Paul. From what Bren has said, it appears the speaker plug is the same as the one used on the Pathe PAX. i.e. 4pins, 2 of which are larger diameter than the other two. Patrick Moules is dealing with the disposal of the equipment of Martyn Stevens (Cinerdistan) may be able to help you regarding spare parts. If you do not have any luck, I think I may have a plug of the same type from an old radio which you can have which has the the same pin configuration.