I purchased these speakers from the “secondhand” market to match my NVA AP20 on recommendation from the Doc (Mr. Dunn).
They are probably older than I am?. I have found no reviews and very little literature on the Goodman’s Magnum Ks .
I intend to modify the speakers with guidance from the Doc, and anyone else who would like to oblige .Big Thanks.
This is my first project; I am a complete amateur (and this includes writing) who has become disillusioned with the quality and cost of modern Hi-Fi and as a result, I’ve decided to explore the secondhand market and share my thoughts and experience with anyone who’s interested.
Goodmans Magnum K
Speaker Dimensions.
Size: 608mm (H) x 378mm (W) x 284mm (D)
Weight: 20kg per speaker (approx)
Firstly I like to express how well put together the Goodman’s Magnum Ks are. The cabinet work is excellent. There are layers upon layers of hardwood ply; must be an inch thick, topped off by a quality Teak hardwood veneer on all sides apart from the back and most of the front; “Teak is considered a very valuable wood because of its ability to withstand weather. It even prevents any metal used in it from rusting. Teak is very stable, which means that it does not warp when subjected to variations in humidity and temperature”.
The cabinets are well screwed together using lot’s of quality screws, Nuts, bolts and obviously a high quality glue because; there are no detectable repairs that I can see, even after some 40 years!. (un-like a pair of Ruarks that I had which proudly displayed the “Guild of Craftsmanship” badge and were only 2 years old when the splits appeared on the cabinet work ), I would say that this is an achievement in cabinet building.
At the back of the box you can gain entry via 16 Phillips type wood screws & Cup washers. The panel is well sealed (with a beading of glue it looks like) but , with some persuasion you can prise it open. There is no other way of getting the cloth grilles off at the front (if you wish too) than to go in at the back.With the plywood back panel removed, a 3 inch thick slab of sponge covering all the back area greeted me. The sides and top are also padded by 1 inch foam/sponge.
The crossovers are on a small piece of plywood which is secured to the back panel using 6 small mushroom-head screws, there is also a layer of foam/sponge between the crossover panel and the rear panel ,I assume it’s glued because I can’t remove it even after the screws have been removed.?.
On the back of the speaker there is some kind of tone adjustments that can be made to the Mid & Top via 2 black plastic knobs.( The Doc has advised me to remove these and install some speaker binding posts).I assume this would also involve reconfiguring the crossover ?.
There are 8 Bolts / Nut’s for the Front covers and even a bolt & Nut for the Goodman Badge. The covers are high quality (again, I say this because due to the fact that after some 40+ yrs they have not rotted away). The covers are black with a random white fleck running through the cloth. I guess the covers where designed to be acoustically transparent due to way they are fixed on?.
The cloth grills sit in a 20mm recess.
I don’t really know much about the drivers (or even if they are original ) but, there are 3 altogether , a 12” Woofer which looks like it’s made of Paper .It’s supported by a substantial alloy basket and a large ( 160mm diameter) magnet. The surround of the driver hasn’t perished away so I’m assuming it’s not made of Foam. There is a Mid driver (which again has a large magnet) and a Tweeter, and these too, look like they are made from some type of woven paper. Every part is stamped “Made in England”
Goodmans Industries
1946. From The British Trade Journal. March edition.
Goodmans Industries, maker of loudspeakers and electronic equipment, of Wembley, Middlesex and Havant
1925 Company founded.
1933 Private company formed.
1936 Name changed.
1961 Electrical engineers and manufacturers of radio components, public address equipment, loud speakers and electro magnetic instruments. 650 employees.
1968 Maker of loudspeakers, tuners, and amplifiers at Wembley and Havant. 78% of Goodmans' ordinary shares were owned by Radio Rentals and 22% by The Plessey Co Ltd.
At some point there was a management buyout
1986 Tannoy (loudspeakers) and Goodmans were merged to form TGI[1]
“That’s All Folks”.
But, I will add more information as an when (if this is OK with the Doc / Jason)
