Any ADS owners here?

[dane_peterson]

I just picked up a pair of L620s today at a Garage Sale for dirt cheap. They're in OK shape, but looks like they've got the Peerless tweeters. (Was running to work, so I didn't inspect to closely. Metal grilles intact)

My dad was an avid ADS owner back in the day... still has a couple pairs and a single for a 5ch setup in his basement. Just wondering what people's thoughts here are of them.

[mhardy6647]

Yup, they're generally very good. Back in the 1970s, I couldn't afford 'em; the Polk Monitor Series got one close to their sound quality for considerably less investment.

Earlier ADS (also known as a/d/s and ads, over the years) speakers were simply rebadged Brauns; there was always considerable similarity between the ads and Braun speaker systems and the drivers. I don't think there were ever any ads speakers with Peerless drivers -- but I am not a world expert on the topic.

Lots of ads information to be had at: http://sportsbil.com/ads/

I currently own two pairs -- a pair of L-420s (small two ways; hardly high-end but very pleasant) and a really nice pair of L-710s that I found at our town dump. I owned a pair of L-780s that I actually bought from someone ($75 in original boxes and packaging) -- they were markedly inferior to the L-710s so I sold them shortly after the 710s came to live here.

Very warm, smooth, and sophisticated sounding loudspeakers, IMO. I like 'em a lot.

Here's a photo of one of the L-710s with its (metal) grille removed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mhardy6647/P1020547.jpg

[DaveMuell]

For ADS, I have:

L-520
L-620
L9e

The 520s are really quite good, the 620s (I built and will put into real 620 cabinets at some point) sound a little better (more bass) than the 520s. The L9e's are some of the best sounding bookshelf speakers I have heard. I put them up there with my CRS+'s, but they are a different breed than the Polks.

If you don't care for your 620s, let us know and we'll have a Vulcon death match to determine who will get 'em.

I have to give mhardy6647 some credit for my ADS excitement, I saw the 520s for something like 15 or 20 dollars and he told me to run back to get them. He was right, and I may end up replacing a pair of Polks like my Ls-50s (the L9e's kick their backside).

They are not Peerless tweeters, although they share a resemblance. They are actually a silk-dome that have a sticky coating on them that is normal. It is truly sad that ADS isn't around anymore, they had exemplary quality and workmanship and sound great to this day.

[dane_peterson]

What other brand has peerless? I coulda sworn ADS did, but these are not. In any case, my Dad swears by em... for $25, he can have them for an office pair or something.

I'm at work on break cleaning these... any suggestions since the woofers are cloth? And the tweeters have dust stuck to them...

It also appears these are solid wood construction. A great refinishing project if they are, no?

[DaveMuell]

It's possible that they were OEM'd by Peerless, but I think that Braun actually manufactured them early on and then ADS did here in the states later. Audiokarma has some ADS enthusiasts that actually worked there that can clarify the historical details.

I don't think the cabinets are solid walnut, I think it is a good, thick veneer. I can go check in the garage for sure and will post again if I am incorrect.

BTW, they mate very well with NAD gear.

[mhardy6647]

What other brand has peerless? I coulda sworn ADS did, but these are not. In any case, my Dad swears by em... for $25, he can have them for an office pair or something.

I'm at work on break cleaning these... any suggestions since the woofers are cloth? And the tweeters have dust stuck to them...

It also appears these are solid wood construction. A great refinishing project if they are, no?

Lots in the 1970s and 1980s. Cizek and (believe it or not) some of the later KLH (e.g., the Barons) had Peerless KO10DT silk domes. Many others, too, but those came immediately to mind.

[DaveMuell]

... I'm at work on break cleaning these... any suggestions since the woofers are cloth? And the tweeters have dust stuck to them...?

I think they suggested Windex to clean the tweeters, but before you do that, check on the Audiokarma site to ask those that are really experts with the ADS.

[mhardy6647]

Not to change the subject, but... Hi DaveMuell!

[bluecomet]

I bought NAD speakers in the late 1980's and later found that the speakers were really made by ADS / Braun. Great speakers that are 4 ohms. They have Soft tweeters and made of solid wood. They are smaller floor standers. ADS seems to have a good following. They made quality speakers.

[Polkie2009]

I think I remember seeing ADS ads alot of times in Stereo Review magazine back in the 70's.From the pics ,they look like the were well made.

[dougy]

I was always a big ADS fan, but could never afford them back in the seventies. Later, when I could afford them, they were getting hard to find where I live.

I did finally get some "a/d/s/" speakers a few years ago (HT400's and 300's), but by this time, they were really ADS in name only, Directed Electronics having aquired rights to the name. They were designed here, presumably by DE, but manufactured in Asia. They are actually quite good speakers, with substantial build quality and, typical of the ADS marque, some unique design features. I use them in my home theater rig.

I think the closest you can get to the original ADS these days is with Aerial Acoustics. Their founder and main designer was, I believe, one of the principals of ADS.

[John30_30]

I got a set of L810's off a guy who used to post here. They are wonderful.

[dane_peterson]

This may be the beginning of an even more consuming hobby... now that I've branched out from Polk, I want to buy vintage speakers of all sorts and refinish them! Just started working on the ADS's tonight, and have quickly seen improvements. Wish I would have taken "before" photos.

[blueboxer]

My favorite car system was all a/d/s. They were so underrated until the end when people started to realize how wonderful they were, but alas it was too late by then and DE had acquired them. Some of the new a/d/s components are still good speakers, but not as great as they use to be. The new Polk SR and DLS lineups are my new kicks.

[mhardy6647]

This may be the beginning of an even more consuming hobby... now that I've branched out from Polk, I want to buy vintage speakers of all sorts and refinish them! Just started working on the ADS's tonight, and have quickly seen improvements. Wish I would have taken "before" photos.

ummm-hmmm. welcome to the nightmare :-)

Some free advice, collect excellent small vintage speakers. BBC LS-3/5A-specification monitors, ads L-300s, Visonik Davids, IMF SuperCompacts, KEF Corellis...

Don't even think about Altec Voice of the Theatres, JBL studio monitors, Altec 604-series Duplexes in 620 cabinets, even vintage Quad ESLs... unless you have a big house.

[hoosier21]

I have a pair of 1230 love them

[Tony M]

I have sold some but still own ADS speakers and they all are great in there own rights.My thoughts on some models and pics. to come later.sorry for now.

[scarlet]

Have a pair of 810s that I finally retired to the attic after 29 years of good service. Don't think anything is wrong with them-just thought it was time to buy something new. Bought a pair of Polk refurbished RTI-A7s from Polk via E-bay which I like a lot. If anybody is interested I would probably give then away if you can pick them up. NYC suburbs-Westchester County.

[concealer404]

My favorite car system was all a/d/s. They were so underrated until the end when people started to realize how wonderful they were, but alas it was too late by then and DE had acquired them. Some of the new a/d/s components are still good speakers, but not as great as they use to be. The new Polk SR and DLS lineups are my new kicks.


I had an a/d/s system in my Range Rover. It was one of the BEST stock car systems i've ever heard. Just barely edged out by Toyota's "System 10" which was designed by Fujitsu Ten.

[concealer404]

ummm-hmmm. welcome to the nightmare :-)

Some free advice, collect excellent small vintage speakers. BBC LS-3/5A-specification monitors, ads L-300s, Visonik Davids, IMF SuperCompacts, KEF Corellis...

Don't even think about Altec Voice of the Theatres, JBL studio monitors, Altec 604-series Duplexes in 620 cabinets, even vintage Quad ESLs... unless you have a big house.

But.... IF you DO want to think about the Voice of the Theatres, there's a set out here for fairly cheap i think..... ;)

[Conradicles]

Are most of the earlier a/d/s models made of real wood, or are they vinyl laminate?

[mhardy6647]

Have a pair of 810s that I finally retired to the attic after 29 years of good service. Don't think anything is wrong with them-just thought it was time to buy something new. Bought a pair of Polk refurbished RTI-A7s from Polk via E-bay which I like a lot. If anybody is interested I would probably give then away if you can pick them up. NYC suburbs-Westchester County.

Oh man, oh man... the 810s are outstanding loudspeakers... here's an opportunity for someone (heck, I am tempted -- it's a 4-hour drive from here).

[mhardy6647]

Are most of the earlier a/d/s models made of real wood, or are they vinyl laminate?

The better ones were wood, some of the later, cheaper ones (e.g., the L-420s) were vinyl a la the Polk "Monitor Series".

[Tony M]

sorry for the delay,I had to research the model #'s I owned and sold.

ADS L-300...A Very nice little bookshelf, like the minimus 7's/walnut w/alittle more soundfield.The Linaeum tweeter models beat the L-300's easily IMO.

ADS L-1290 Towers...All the bass you want but the mids and highs were soft.
The bass from the the L-1290's (twin 8's ) was VERY,VERY impressive!
I don't know why ADS couldn't make the mids and highs like the L-710..

ADS L-620..Big bookshelf,10" woofer=upper bass but the tweeter can't cover midrange and highs suffer also.

ADS L-710.. Lacks lower bass and that's about all that they lack.
A real jaw dropper when you first hear them. CLEAR sound..

With the 1290's and the 620's an equalizer could fix their short comings pretty easily so they aren't that bad of speakers. When both of my last sets are powered together (A&B switched on) the sound is AMAZING.REALLY.
With the L-620's in the obtuse(?) corner the bass is incredible!
I would like to hear them together and lower some day.I have heard them at ear level but had to make space as some of you have seen.L-710 on Left..L-620 on Right

[bigstereo]

I've got a pair of L620's. Bought at a garage sale for cheap. I like em okay. They will be going to garage duty in the next few days. Just bought my first new pair of Polks.

[scarlet]

Oh man, oh man... the 810s are outstanding loudspeakers... here's an opportunity for someone (heck, I am tempted -- it's a 4-hour drive from here).

I'm in New Rochelle, Westchester County. Right off of the Hutchinson River Parkway and, also, I-95. Right now on vacation returning 9/10. Will send PM with e-mail address.

[DaveMuell]

Oh man, oh man... the 810s are outstanding loudspeakers... here's an opportunity for someone (heck, I am tempted -- it's a 4-hour drive from here).

To answer your earlier question, I am doing GREAT! I started a new job about 5 weeks ago and it is perfect.

Now, you need to drive up there and accept his generous offer. I'll re-imburse the gas expense and send it to your favorite charity. I owe you at least "one".

Dave

[mhardy6647]

"Down" (to Westchesta). Mrs. H is from that neck of the woods, but she doesn't have any relatives there anymore. We do pass through regularly on the way from MA to MD, though :-)

[dee1949]

...never heard the L710's....but the ADS L780's compare favorably to my other speakers. Nice build. A slice of the past ....

Snell, Magnepan, DCM, Dahlquist but not the AVANCE Epsilon 980's. Also have IMF cm III, Celestion etc. Cross section of the early 80's .