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Shahinian Obelisk Passive Radiator Replacement

I just bought a pair of good condition Shahinian Obelisk speakers at a garage sale for $5 :-). Unfortunately, both 10" passive radiators had been completely removed and are gone. Shahinian Acoustics wants $275 for a replacement pair. Parts Express has replacements for $60 (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=295-494). There are also used pulls from good speakers on ebay for $25+ dollars.

My question is are passive radiators that sonically critical and precisely matched that I have to buy the $275 pair from Shahinian or could I get by with one of my other choices without muddling up the speakers? And if so which ones? Or are there other choices or vendors I should consider for the replacement? Thanks for the advice!!
zymaze
rwwear
2,847 posts
 
I would go with the real thing. You should check the woofers for foam rot also.
mingles
791 posts
 
I heard a pair of Shahinian Hawks tonight and was extremely impressed. If the Obelisks sound anything like the Hawks, they're keepers. I agree with others... get the OEM drivers. $275 is a fraction of what these speakers go for used.
audioparts's avatar
audioparts
26 posts
 
YOu have to be kidding. You get a pair of Obelisks for $5 on ebay and then complain about spending another #275 for the correct replacements. If it really a problem. I'll take them off your hands for $50. A great profit for you, then I can complain about the cost of the replacements.
somec59
245 posts
 
Give Richard and Vasken Shahinian kudos for their design and buy the right parts. While you are at, it also get new upper grills/crowns before they stop making replacements. Their email is: [email protected]
zymaze OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for your many responses. I understand and appreciate the purest perspective. I really have no idea what the speaker are worth so my query arose from a practical perspective aimed at bring the speakers up to snuff at minimal cost.

Please excuse my ignorance but there is very little information available on this company or its speakers. I would not ask for your valuable time if there were numerous of reviews and test results I could study. Most reviews are from the last few years and address the current models which have evolved much since my speakers were made.

I was not sure(and I am still not sure) if the PR was just a plastic cap or a drone speaker with a cap. I did not see any screw holes in the opening and I thought it might just be a cap that was glued in place.

Are there PR's that are just caps? On eBay I saw this: http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Passive-Radiators-PR-Speaker-Radiator-ESS-P-10PK_W0QQitemZ190092820392QQihZ009QQcategoryZ14993QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
Is that a PR that is simply a cap?

I have read that newer Obelisk's have weighted done speakers but I was not sure that was the case with much earlier versions.

I can understand special imported weighted PR's with installation kit costing $275. But, I have trouble imagining plastic caps jutifying that price. Especially if they sell on eBay for $35. I have emailed Shahinian Acoustics but I wanted this group's opinions first since my experience has been that if you ask a company if you should use their products they will invariably say yes.

And if you read my post I never complained, I am just trying to make an informed decision.

Lastly, does anybody know how the grill cover and pyramid on these speakers are best removed for inspection of the drivers?

Thanks again.
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