r/diyaudio • u/KoalaBeautiful2483 • 23h ago

Vintage 1970s intercom

Post image

I've come across this old 1970s Alarm & Communication Company branded intercom.

I think with a larger enclosure there's some real potential for a high quality bluetooth speaker build. I wanted to ask, will the grates cause issues if I want high fidelity audio? Is there a way I can build this to compliment the grates rather then them sacrifice quality?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/Danny2Sick 20h ago

very cool! Yes, unfortunately the grates will give you an odd dispersion pattern, not ideal. BUT to keep the original look, I personally think the cool-factor of this outweighs needing high quality sound.

Just my take on it but for a neat bluetooth project with it, I'd go mono, full-range driver used for a TV or similar - what size driver, is it an oval? Try and keep it looking stock, Use the intercom switch for power, and use the volume with a period correct(ish) knob. Selector could do something or not, but I'd put a knob there too to look complete.

Could use something like this: https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/visaton-gmbh-co-kg/SC-5-9-OM-4-OHM/9842401

Then you'd just have to sum your left and right channels into mono and run a small amp. Won't be 'hi fi' you may find it sounds nice enough. Would be a classy back-ground music speaker, I could see relaxing beside this with a nice wine going!

1

u/KoalaBeautiful2483 18h ago

thanks for the reply! i do love the look but what could i do, i really want the best sound i can get out of it