Koss CM 1020 and CM 1030 Vintage Speakers

[@musicforfilmandtv6718]

I just picked up a pair of 1030's for $350 (can) delivered. They may be my favorite speakers of a 50 year hi-fi hobby. Words that come to mind are Authoritative... Big Scale... Open... Effortless... Musical... Vivid... Detailed... They feel like more of a recording studio monitor with their scale and aliveness. Everything sounds big and real. I found my eyes darting from one speaker to the other and sounds popped up in recordings. They simply seem much more alive than others Ive had.

[@ModifiedPhoto]

I grew up listening to the Koss CM 1030 speakers that my dad owned. These things seriously jammed... At one point a long while back, I did have to rebuild the crossover on one at one point in the mid or late 90's. Koss was even able to ship me exact replacement parts for the crossover. They are still in my dads place where I grew up.

[@petercoenen4663]

Thanks for this vid! Have a set of each model myself, love them! The cabs are quite unique and they do sound great! Also have the modified toggles on the 1030 just like yours but I'm sure the x-overs need recap/repair as only the high settings work. Enjoy!

[@beninski707]

Hi Peter. Thanks for the cool comments. This vid was 6 yrs ago and still have both sets. I have owned the 1020’s for 42 years and they still sound awesome.

[@socksumi]

Hey fellow Canadian audiophile. I fixed up a pair of CM-1030s a few years back. Yes the switches were shot so I bypassed them with fixed resisters directly wired into the crossovers and they sound a whole lot better for it. The crossover is actually pretty standard, a 2nd order design. There is an easy crossover mod which is worthwhile and very noticeably improves the speaker. There's a massive capacitor about 100mf in line with the peerless tweeters (presumably to filter out any subsonic garbage that might make it's way to the tweeters). Remove this cap and bypass it with some good wire and you'll notice subtly cleaner and clearer highs. You can always drop it back in if you don't like the change.

[@joemalone3099]

I have a paire of CM 1030 ...all original components...THOSE ARE FANTASTIC speakers..unbelievable clarity and soft POWER when you need it...

[@musicforfilmandtv6718]

I just got a pair of the 1010s. Spending time with both those and the 1030s, I'd adjust my description to simply "Fun, vintage tone". They are far from perfect and not the most revealing, not the best soundstage or imaging, BUT simply a fun, musical "personality". They are the type of speaker that let you off the "perfection" hook. Or the analytical mindset. They somewhat take me back to when I started buying my first speakers and how the simple features of nice highs, nice lows and a decent sense of scale first made an impression. They almost force you to just settle in and enjoy the songs filtered through a very specific and pleasant voicing. The 1030s definitely provide more mid range quality and ease, and potential for more output, but both meet this "fun, vintage tone" description. The perfection mindset can definitely take away from the simple pleasure of music playback. The Koss "bypass" that type of clinical experience.

[@zorst99]

I was told by a Koss sales rep that I sold more Koss speakers than anyone else in the world. That was before I became a Koss sales rep myself. I loved the Koss speakers when they were new. I would compare them to things like the JBL L220s back in the day and they put out much better bass than the big old JBLs I felt they were the best speaker on the market that I knew of for under $1000 a pair. I used to have an amazing demo of a violin that was recorded very close. When played you could visualize the bow as it scrapped across the strings. It was visceral . I still have a pair of thee speakers and some day I also want to go through the crossovers and refurbish them. I think they could have some very good years left in them. I have some other speakers that are on a different level than these but these can do some things that few speaker can do because of their efficiency and the multiple drivers.

[@Mario-pg7hi]

Hi this speakes cuold work for mixing music o mastering? Tank you

[@frankszoka2219]

I sold a shit load of them as well in Calgary. My fav was the 1020.

[@zorst99]

@@frankszoka2219 yes they were both good. I think the 1020 was the better value. Glad you liked them. .

[@socksumi]

One thing about the 1030s. You need to sit some distance from the speakers for the drivers to integrate to a whole. Sit to close and they can sound disembodied and lack coherency.

[@jimhamlin6551]

I had bought the cm 1020 in 1978 at London Audio and they sold a ton of these ...they looked great and sounded great and I did like them better than the 1030s I had them hooked up to my Yamaha Intergrated amp with a Denon turntable with a Ortofon MC 20 ...and it was The best I had heard with my collection of albums and cassettes and my reel to reel tapes I was in Audiophile Heaven ! lol It was very enjoyable experience listening to music I wouldnt trade that experience for anything ! I wish i could send you a picture of my set up back then taken with a 110 camera but you tube wont let you do that Take care it was good to see my old friends again!

[@beninski707]

Hi Jim. Thanks for the cool comments. I made that vid 6 years ago but still have the 1020s and I too prefer them to the 1030s. I have purchased Wharfedale, Klipsch and Monitor audio speakers since then, looking for a different sound which I got from all 3 but still the most satisfying sound still comes from my 44 yr old CM1020’s Cheers.

[@BioCYTE1]

Whoa! Could it be? Is it really? Get right outta Saskatchewan! Mark! So good to see a new/old/new and old video from ya! Very cool and always in-depth look at the speakers. They really once were something special and a work of art worthy of ones cash back in the day weren't they?! Fantastic video, very cool to see them both up close and those crossovers are definitely intimidating! Best of luck whatever you decide to do with them, wonderful job on the toggle switches. They didn't make that easy for ya by not labeling them. All the best brother, don't be a stranger eh! - Lj

[@beninski707]

+BioCYTE1 Thanks LJ!! Appreciating you tuning in. Been a long time!!

[@SQDLVR]

Welcome Back Mark!!! :-) Koss yeah I had some earphones in the 80's by them. Never knew they had speakers.

[@Icecold185]

Please make some more vids! My favorite channel in the vinyl community right here

[@alexshearer275]

Awesome speakers dude I love them 👍👍👍👍👍👍 never sell them keep them very nice speaker good job for holding on to them

[@socksumi]

Cabinet had the distinction of being designed by a Grandfather clock maker which kinda shows.

[@purplesabbath9057]

I found a pair of Sansui S-730 speakers a few months ago for 25 bucks. For that price, they certainly sound fantastic and I've been enjoying them, although their midrange could be a bit better (I've also seen some forums mentioning this so it's not just my pair). I'd really love to have either one of those Koss sets though, I bet they blow the Sansuis away.

[@socksumi]

These benefit from a parts upgrade in the crossover. Koss used very low grade electrolytic caps which is surprising given the high quality standards in the speaker overall.

[@nomon95]

Yes,agree,Why dont use polyester or polypropylene capacitors,.Is a good. Loudspeaker. In my case i make crossover un indepenent board(acrylic,wood,polycarbonate,etc. And polypropylene capacitors For electricity works well.Are cheap,AND values between 1 to 220uf.

[@Palosrob]

miss you please do more videos!

[@torch0001]

nice vintage gear!

[@beninski707]

+torch0001 Thanks for viewing Much appreciated!!

[@Palosrob]

welcome back!

[@beninski707]

+Palosrob .MaKaElectric Rebuttal Channel Thank You!

[@rickc661]

I bought the 'mid size' 1020 - bigger than large Advents, AR3 's new way back when. still have them. blew both tweeters trying to hear 'extended highs' ( I consider my ears kinda blown)otherwise very fine. ps Stereo review reviewed, ' flat from 30 hz to 5000, then gently rising mid/highs.....

[@runner0075]

Times when each brand had a design philosophy, made his own research

[@Wasamatau]

You never mentioned where you got the three-way toggle switches that fit. Could you mention it? Thanks.

[@beninski707]

IOK Wasamatau. Hi there. I purchased them on ebay. I cant remember which seller as I made this vid 4 years ago. There are multiple sellers of these toggles on ebay.

[@beninski707]

Ca Nadian thepride It’s hard to put a value on them. It would depend on condition. If they are in mint shape and have been recapped, I would pay 4-500 dollars for them but that is just me.

[@mardimclachlan1292]

Can you advise where you found the toggle switches for the Koss speakers.

[@beninski707]

Mardi McLachlan Hello. They are generic toggles that I found on ebay. Can’t remember seller but there are a multitude of listings there at cheap prices.

[@jeffmackwood3838]

Mark, Very informative video. Thanks for posting it. I don't know whether we've been in touch by email yet, but just wanted to introduce myself to you, and any Koss CM owners who may come across your video. I'm sorta considered the online go-to person for these speakers and have helped quite literally hundreds of owners over many years. I can provide all sorts of scanned info, including the one and only existing Koss-original wiring diagram / schematic for the CM/1030s - both the old and new versions. (You'll see lower-quality scans of my original copy posted in a variety of places.) I've also got copies all of the trade publication reviews for the Koss CM speakers. A couple of things that I would like to comment on specifically with respect to your video:- The original capacitors will have drifted out of tolerance about half the time by now. In many cases they won't yet need to be changed, but if you're doing a refurb of the crossover anyhow, it might be worth doing it at the time.- Pretty much every resistors will need to be changed by now. They all corrode. I could see corrosion (green) on the leads of yours in the video. The internals would be even worse. They are the cause in almost all cases of what could be mistaken for a failed driver. If anyone would like to contact me, they should feel free to do so at the following email address: [e-mail]. Regards.Jeff Mackwood

[@zorst99]

Do you know where to source some of these switches for the 1030s I'm thinking of doing mine soon.

[@happytobealive5045]

I am LOU in Colorado, I have a very small vintage audio store and these are going to be my keepers‼️ I graduated high school in 1978 so I have kept an eye out for these for years. I am open for any information or guidance you may have. Thank you....LOU

[@4thelementband671]

where can I buy the toggles you used in this video . I have a set of CM1030 and have the same problem. if you could supply the spec and where I can buy them, this is a job I could handle. thanks

[@beninski707]

Here are the exact same ones from the same ebay seller. You'll need to purchase 2 sets as there is only 3 per. www.ebay.ca/itm/3-PK-TOGGLE-SWITCH-DPDT-CENTER-OFF-TOGGLE-10-AMP-250V-15-AMP-125V-3-PIN-EC-1523-/291682988853?hash=item43e9a93335:g:JOkAAOSwnDZUKZd6

[@beninski707]

Just discard the metal pieces that say on / off.

[@alanm.6096]

CM1020 toggle switches are a tad more complicated than the CM1030. That's because both toggle switches (tweet/mid) have SIX connection terminals on each. As well, one has 3 wires attached to it and the other has 6 wires (one of which is a red 'jumper'). My assumption is that the 6 wire switch is the mid. To make it even more complicated, one black wire (coming from the wires going to the 3 wire switch) goes to the 6 wire switch. Rewiring the new 6 terminal switches would be easy if one could know how to tell what is the TOP of the old broken switches. The switches have text printed on one side which MAY hold a clue. Any experience with the CM1020's ?? Is there a wiring diagram for the CM1020 toggle switches? Thanks.

[@jeffmackwood3838]

Alan, I don't know if we've been in contact previously so I might have answered your question directly. But for anyone else who stumbles onto this thread/post, within the last year I obtained a copy of the Koss Loudspeaker Service Guide, which includes wiring diagrams for all of the Koss CM Series speakers (CM/1030, CM/1020, CM/1010, and CM/530), both old and new versions. I've posted about this on several A/V forums, and have uploaded copies to a number of (free) online manual download sites. If anyone is looking for a copy, they can contact me at [e-mail] and I'd be happy to send them back a pdf copy. Jeff Mackwood

[@giankperez6377]

Witch toggles did you use ?

[@beninski707]

I don’t remember to be honest. Was 7 yrs ago. Purchased on ebay.

[@giankperez6377]

@@beninski707 Thanks. Do you still have them?

[@beninski707]

@@giankperez6377 Yes.

[@jester0201ify]

why does it sound like you have a sump going for a saltwater tank lol.

[@beninski707]

Lol!! Great guess. Freshwater though.

[@jester0201ify]

I know that because I have 180 gallon saltwater reef tank with the same sound. I stare at it when I listen to my records.

[@garbagemanify]

Akll the toggle switches do, is ATTENUATE the max signal input.... They never BOOST signal, i's h, then maybe 80%m, then aybe 50%... it's never ABOVE 100% of the enclosures input level.. AND- you should see what I can do with that woofer pair you have when re-coned with HEMPO hemp fiber cones... hempopotamus loudspeakers.com