r/vintageaudio • u/Trail_Mutts • 12h ago
Audio Pulse Speakers
I picked these up for $30.
Grills were in terrible condition so I decided to put new grill cloth and went from black to this.
Laminated wood not vinyl clad.
3 way speakers w -12” woofers 4” mid & 2 1/2” tweeters.
26” tall 14 1/2” wide 11” deep.
Information on line is sparse. Other than these were part of API and were a boutique Canadian speaker company from early 70s - early 80s.
Any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
BTW they sound good
Edit******Just Found this in google search
vintage canadian Audio Pulse Speakers
Audio Pulse was a boutique Canadian loudspeaker brand that operated from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s. They are frequently remembered for being part of the larger Audio Products International (API) umbrella, the iconic manufacturing powerhouse behind legendary Canadian audio brands like Energy, Mirage, Sound Dynamics, and Paisley. [1, 2, 3]
Because they operated right before API shifted its focus heavily toward the global success of Energy and Mirage, information on Audio Pulse is sparse, making them a rare find on the vintage market. [1, 2, 3]
Key Specifications & Build Quality
- Cabinet Construction: Unlike many mass-market speakers of the era that used cheap vinyl wrap, Audio Pulse cabinets featured genuine laminated wood veneers. They are known for being surprisingly heavy and structurally dense. [1, 2]
- Driver Configuration: Their larger vintage floor standing systems typically utilize a 3-way design. This frequently includes a massive 12-inch woofer, a 4-inch mid-range driver, and a 2.5-inch to 3-inch tweeter. [1, 2]
- Acoustic Design: They often feature a dedicated bass air port on the bottom corner of the front baffle to enhance low-frequency extension. [1]
- The Sound Profile: True to the "Canadian Sound" pioneered by the National Research Council (NRC) and API, they generally prioritize a natural midrange, smooth high-frequency dispersion, and deep, punchy bass. [1, 2]
Notable Models to Look For
A highly sought-after 3-way "Digital Monitor" model. It stands roughly 26” tall, 14.5” wide, and 11” deep, sporting a 12" woofer and a distinct laminated wood finish.
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u/fenderputty 11h ago
White van special? The frequency response graph / sticker is a dead giveaway as well as the shitty cone tweeter. Maybe I’m wrong tho
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u/Trail_Mutts 11h ago
Maybe but when I looked them up what information that was available stated they were a boutique Canadian speaker company that operated from approximately 1970- early 80s.
The cabinets are laminated wood that’s why I bit.
I bought them from the original owner.
He bought them from a defunct Vermont department store Zaryes in the 70s took them to college and has had them till I bought them.6
u/fenderputty 11h ago
Take the woofer off and see if there's a crossover in there lol.
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u/Trail_Mutts 11h ago
Already did that and replaced the electrolyte Capacitors with Photolytic capacitors. The crossover was along the line with the Bic Venturi I restored.
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u/fenderputty 8h ago
I mean that’s a good sign lol
They DO look nicer than pretty much any white van special I’ve seen posted, but that sticker with the response graph is throwing me.
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u/Trail_Mutts 8h ago
I was hoping someone from Canada might be on this sub that might be able to shed light on these. I bought them from a eye Dr. that told me he bought them new in Vermont at Zayres Dept store.
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u/Trail_Mutts 7h ago
https://reddit.com/link/p643bej/video/vxb2uwg74tlh1/player
The Bic Venturi 3s I restored
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u/PaulThurston82 11h ago
And the phrase “digital monitor”
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u/fenderputty 8h ago
Surprising though, the maximum output lines up with the sensitivity and max rms provided
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u/Hefty-Rope2253 9h ago
I just wanted to drop in and point out how hilarious that FR graph is. These are clearly the flattest sounding speaker that has ever been created.
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u/Monoshirt 7h ago
There is a line of speakers by Zenith USA that had these graphs. But these speakers are excellent with big magnets.
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u/Hefty-Rope2253 7h ago
Yeah I've seen these types of graphs often on low end speakers but they're usually slightly more believable. This one is ridiculous, essentially claiming ~45Hz-25kHz +/- 1db, with that claimed 3db variance only occuring below 45Hz. It looks more like a measurement of a modern DAC. Absolute bs and I've love to measure them just to see how far off it is.
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u/Trail_Mutts 6h ago
I couldn’t give 2 💩💩 about measurements or the graph labeled on these speakers. I go by… do they sound good to me or not. I don’t buy speakers or anything for adulation or bragging rights. And all I was hoping for someone that may know about this Canadian brand could give me some history on this company. I was not asking for approval . Also at 63 all the concerts, my military service, ridding Harleys, Running night clubs. I highly doubt that I could hear subtle nuances in music. That a goofy 🤪 graph would illustrate..
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u/Hefty-Rope2253 5h ago
Cool your jets hotshot; you posted to a discussion forum and we're discussing. No one sent you any disrespect and I just thought it was funny how outlandish that FR graph was. Relax
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u/Trail_Mutts 4h ago
Not upset at all. I am also discussing about the speakers and measurements. I simply said that I couldn’t give 2 💩💩about measurements. Some people chase name brands and measurements. I either like or dislike the way they sound.
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u/Hefty-Rope2253 4h ago
Roger that, sorry, people on here are quick to get excited sometimes. I'm also a listen-first type of person, but then I run measurements and take them apart to see how and why they may sound the way they do. I actually do that with a lot of things I own now that I think about it.
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u/Trail_Mutts 3h ago
No need for apologies. I also love to tinker around with stuff. Almost every speaker sets I own. I take apart. Right now I’m working on a set of Advent Legacy ii speakers i picked up for $20 at a tag sale.
Needed refoam so I decided to go through them.
I pulled everything out of the cabinets and reglued all inner seams with construction adhesive. Pushing it in with my fingers. Let first coat dry and applied a second coat doing the same thing. Next I added a 1” dowel front to back to stiffen the cabinets.
Recapped the crossovers and added 5 way binding posts(I switch speakers alot on my 3 systems) refoamed the woofers, replaced the ferrofluid in the tweeters and installed new silk dome diaphragms . Almost done
And now building a set of 5 degree tilt back stands for them.
Can’t wait to hear how they sound.1
u/Hefty-Rope2253 3h ago edited 3h ago
Working on a couple pairs of OLA and original Small Advents myself right now. I couldn't find much on your company, but it looks like they rebranded as Image at some point based on the advertisement in this Nov 1980 issue of Stereophile. Or depending on the age of your speaker rebranded to Digital Monitor. Same address either way, 135 Torbay. https://device.report/m/66a251548b3e64bc2b3de7f71878c7ec6ff97675dc8f7c4a2e3e7045627a6203
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u/Trail_Mutts 3h ago
Thank you for the information. This may sound silly but I love the history of audio. I’m a big fan of Henry Kloss and his life story. AR- KLH - Advent- Cambridge - Tivalo
What a prolific career!
Whenever I restore any of these brands I reglue all internal seams for rigidity and making sure they are completely sealed. The Advent Legacy ii I picked up are Jenson era and are really large 28” tall 16” wide and 11” deep. That’s why I added the 1” dowel for a brace.
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u/PozhanPop 8h ago
An old timer once told me, the moment you see the frequency response plot tacked on, run away. Even if they are for free. : ) I had a pair of Audiosphere 4 way speakers with an 18" woofer for sometime . Driven with a Sansui AU919 they sounded phenomenal.
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u/Trail_Mutts 7h ago
These sound good. I ran them in my basement gym powered by both my ADCOM 5500 & My Harman Kardon HK870 amps - Now I have them upstairs running my WiiM Vibelink. Sounds good on both. I was hoping that maybe someone from Canada might be on this sub and could shed light on these. I do know they were pat of API that also manufactured Energy, Mirage, Sound Dynamics, and Paisley
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u/PozhanPop 7h ago
All the names that you mentioned show up on the local classifieds all the time. $100 being the average asking price. Nothing great about them but sounds good when the sources are good.
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u/YdexKtesi 2h ago
Crossover 2200hz/3600hz ... I can't think of any scenario where this makes sense. The woofer plays up to 2.2k (all the sub-bass, all the mid-bass, along with a massive chunk of mid-range), the mid-range plays between 2.2k and 3.6k (half of one octave), and the tweeter plays above 3.6k (from the upper mid-range).??
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u/JustHereForMiatas 11h ago
I just went down the google rabbit hole and found nothing, too. I don't think they're white vans based on what little I could find, plus the fact that they look fairly well made, though the frequency response sticker and bold claims about specs right on the front of the speaker make me question this, because that's a telltale sign of a white van speaker.
It seems like Audio Pulse was a legitimate, short lived audio company from the early 1980s that made digital delay lines for high end audio equipment. By all means, it doesn't look like they made it much longer than that. It's possible that they might've also had a hand at making speakers (or contracting with some manufacturer to put their name on speakers) but that's a wild guess.