Realistic (Radio Shack) Mach One's

[Dean De Furia]

Back in the early 80's I purchased a pair of Mach One's at one of the many sales Radio Shack has. I think I paid $150 each for them. They looked cool with the big 15" woofer, the large midrange horn and a smaller tweeter horn. The cabinets were walnut veneer and they weighed about 60 pounds apiece. I owned them for a while hooked up to my cheap solid state stuff and then sold them to my friend Al. I had forgotten about them until Al moved and we found them in his basement. I thought I would have some fun with them so I brought them home.
I never really liked the sound of thesewhen they were new: Seemed harsh.
Well, I must say they sound really good now hooked up to the Mac 240!
I am really surprised. Very nice smooth sound and very listenable. Also super efficient. I really like them! They aren't Focus' but they are finding a way into a second (or third!) system of mine. (And I still think they look cool)
Anyone else ever use these?

[Dan C]

Originally posted by Dean De Furia
Back in the early 80's I purchased a pair of Mach One's at one of the many sales Radio Shack has. I think I paid $150 each for them. They looked cool with the big 15" woofer, the large midrange horn and a smaller tweeter horn. The cabinets were walnut veneer and they weighed about 60 pounds apiece. I owned them for a while hooked up to my cheap solid state stuff and then sold them to my friend Al. I had forgotten about them until Al moved and we found them in his basement. I thought I would have some fun with them so I brought them home.
I never really liked the sound of thesewhen they were new: Seemed harsh.
Well, I must say they sound really good now hooked up to the Mac 240!
I am really surprised. Very nice smooth sound and very listenable. Also super efficient. I really like them! They aren't Focus' but they are finding a way into a second (or third!) system of mine. (And I still think they look cool)
Anyone else ever use these?

I used to lust after those in the Radio Shack catalog when I was a kid. BIG speakers! I recently saw a pair fetch a decent chunk of change on eBay a few weeks back, sold for over $200.
Dan C

[Sckott]

I buy drivers from Radio Shack when replacing blown cones in inexpensive speakers I own.

I'm always happy to do it. Sure, they CAN sell you the poor "RCA" brand of speakers, but when using the drivers they sell for hobbiests, they not only work well with tubes, but in some applications, they're an amazing bang for the buck. Strong, well built.

[Doug Hess Jr.]

i LOVED my mach ones when I had them. Unfortunately I loaned them so someone who destroyed them. They don't understand to this day why I haven't forgetten...

Even though they did sound great at the time, I now prefer the sound of my Klipsch speakers. They won't play as loud as the MACH Ones...but the sound is much better. But I wouldn't mind having my old M O's for my second system...

That was one of those cases where Radio Shack actually made something GOOD so as soon as they made them for 5 years as part of the speakers having a 5 year warrenty-- they stopped making them and made the horrible Mach Two's...

dough1981

[Dean De Furia]

So, I was sitting here grooving to the Mach's and both of the foam woofer surrounds crumbled to dust right in front of me. It was actually kind of comical!
Guess I'll find some repair kits.

[RetroSmith]

Radio Shack Speakers = EEECCHHHH

[Gary]

The Radio Shack Nimbus 9's were tiny and amazing! I still have 'em as computer speakers.

But most of them were.... uhhh... EEECCHHHH (to borrow Mikey5967's expression). Thanks, M!

[Dan C]

The Shack had some little "wood" speakers in the early 90's that got some hot audiophile buzz 'cause they were dirt cheap and actually sounded pretty good. They had a Linaeum tweeter if I recall but were nothing like the "RCA" branded ones they now sell.

Dan C

[RetroSmith]

Dan...I have those little wood speakers.

The buzz about them was that with a crossover mod, they sounded pretty OK to the reviewer for 99$. Without the mod, not so great.


I used them as my monitor speakers of my DAW, but I HAD to get rid of them, they just didnt cut it.

I put in a pair of small TANNOYS and they are 100% better sounding. Same Size speaker, too.....

[Dan C]

Originally posted by mikey5967
Dan...I have those little wood speakers.

The buzz about them was that with a crossover mod, they sounded pretty OK to the reviewer for 99$. Without the mod, not so great.


I used them as my monitor speakers of my DAW, but I HAD to get rid of them, they just didnt cut it.

I put in a pair of small TANNOYS and they are 100% better sounding. Same Size speaker, too.....

Of course now there are plenty of excellent speakers for under $200, including some from Polk and Paradigm as well as Tannoy. Those Rat Shack speakers don't seem like such a deal now. :)
Dan C

[jeff e.]

I am actually using a pair of Mach One's right now. I picked them up at a thrift store last year for $50. Another $50 to get the woofers refoamed and they were good to go. I really like them. In addition to looking cool, they have a sound that I really enjoy. The bass alone is worth the price of admission. (BTW, does anyone know the efficiency rating?)

I agree that most Realistic speakers were pretty bland, but the Mach One is a real sleeper. They'll do until I can find a pair of Cornwalls... :D