Realistic Minimus 7 Speakers. How to test THRIFT STORE speakers.

I found these speakers at Savers and only paid $8.00 but before I hook them up to a good stereo I want to test them.
The Minimus 7 was released in September 1977 and was in the new for 78 product lineup. They were sold from 77 to 1993 give or take. The 7 was one of the most popular speakers in the Radio Shack lineup. From introduction to the end they were sold for 49.95 each. I still see them around at thrift shops.
Last Video of 2020 :)

[@maddogmerv]

Nice find. I love watching these videos for one thing your quality is stellar! Another thing is this brings back some recall to my age and memory of the days when I used to help my brother with his CB and electronica equipment. It’s amazing what I have forgotten but thanks to your videos I am remembering a lot of these basics that I can apply to the electronics I am doing.

[@breakerbroke23]

I appreciate your kind words. I enjoy your channel as well. Happy New year to you and Family.

[@Fireship1]

I use a silver pair in my home theater system. I’ve been rocking them since 1985!

[@jamesbelbin3475]

I just picked up a mint pair of these here in Ontario Canada for $12.55 taxes in - after watching your video, now I’m excited to test these speakers, quite heavy for the size!

[@breakerbroke23]

They make good office/bedroom spks. Not a lot of SPL comes from them. Low level listening is good. Cheers

[@Lapeerphoto]

I love the Minimus 7's! I have wood ones, Silver ones, Black ones. WHAT A GREAT DEAL, $4ea - WOW HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[@SeanMather]

Woah that is cool, I’ve never seen them out of phase. Also this speaker sounds great, I’m totally going to have to get some

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

Good memories! I still have 2 white and 2 black ones! You got a good deal on them!

[@salmonline]

Nice. I had a pair of these and the TDC cousins with the orange ring around the woofer.

[@robertoswalt319]

I had forgotten how much I liked those speakers. Thanks for the trip down memory lane

[@breakerbroke23]

Any time!

[@peterwinstonaldredge6927]

Great Find! I have a pair in walnut which I purchased new around 1979 or so. The speaker terminal one of them is bad so I found a used one on EBay which I will likely purchase. I just don't really have a use for the speakers anymore but, I want them in working condition. Maybe I'll by a small amp to use them as computer speakers. Mine are in mint condition.

[@edud8452]

I've got a set of these in the garage they still sound good

[@robcole332]

Wow I had those. They were awesome

[@th34st]

I just picked these up at a garage sale for $5 for both. If you want to test them while out and about all you need is a short length of speaker wire and a 3.5mm to 2 pin screw terminal. Shove one end of the speaker wire into the terminals, screw it down and boom. Portable way to test speakers with your phone for like $15, less if you already have the wire.

[@danc2014]

You are using the headphone jack to power the speaker but can short out your phone so do not leave ti connected long.

[@thomaskendall452]

Some Realistic/Optimus STA-series amps and receivers came with a little EQ switch on the back. This was to more precisely match the output to Minimus 7 speakers.

[@Shaynesnypes]

That music sounds so familiar where have I heard it

[@orange70383]

Those were great speakers.

[@breakerbroke23]

Great little boxes back in the day. Way ahead of their time back in 77. Happy New Year to you sir.

[@danc2014]

I only see them for $30 used. I think back in 1980s they went on sale for $29 at RS summer sale.

[@MistaSCARY]

I found my old pair in my closet. What speaker wire and size to use? What gauge? Can you use the red/ black plug in type? Or do they have to be copper wire only?

[@breakerbroke23]

Red/Black hookup wire ill work just fine, in some cases it is better than the modern spk wire. EDIT.... Most any gauge will do but 18ga ill be fine

[@robert71457]

Although this vid is 2 years old im asking anyway, i have a set just like those is there a way to test the tweeter, I replaced the drivers, and thought of replacing tweeters now. TY

[@breakerbroke23]

With the drivers out but tweets left installed, put some music through them. Or take the tweets out and pop them with a 1.5 (AA or AAA) battery. If they pop out of the cabinet but don't work installed then replace the capacitor with a new one. I like using mylar caps VS electrolytic as the mylars sound smoother. IMO

[@masudaharris6435]

I have a pair of these plus an unused single Minimus speaker that's looking for a mate.

[@randomguydoes2901]

Good find. Keep a lookout for canton Plus S or anything Braun or A/D/S that looks the same. Best in that size.

[@breakerbroke23]

I own a pair of Cantons and they did sound good. Remember the ADS plates. Man they were cool!

[@randomguydoes2901]

@@breakerbroke23 Which ones? Haven't heard ADS or braun equivalents yet but I know they're likely to be excellent as they shared a lot of philosphy from their ex canton employees. I just threw out two alright 2x6.5 floorspeakers for canton GL-260 - in the living room. Been hunting something bigger than the Plus S ever since I got those.. never stops to blow my mind how they almost defy the laws of physics Oh and I keep stacking plus C woofers, currently got three so. Many options even for the poor.... until I need a 1500w sub amp of course.

[@breakerbroke23]

I need to dig them out, I used them for CB/Ham radio ext spks:) They are HC100s with the amplifier taken out. (one died on me back in the 80s)

[@craignehring]

Hey BB23, long time no see, I just got a pair of the 77's I need to do a new surround on them

[@breakerbroke23]

Good to see you are still around. Who sells the surrounds?

[@Watches_Radios]

Are these any good to use on a vintage CB Radio as a extension speaker ?

[@breakerbroke23]

They will work, however may be a little inefficient so you may need to turn your volume up on the CB a bit. Your results will vary.

[@robcole332]

Made it sound like a cheap Walmart speaker lol

[@johnmorris1266]

I like turtles.