The Micro Acoustic MA-1 unique multi axis loudspeakers were introduced in 1977-1978. These hard to find speakers have a 5-tweeter (Peerless) array in each cabinet for enhanced high-frequency dispersion. The array bracket is metal and painted glossy black. Each angled tweeter has a protective screen material over the tweeter to keep dust out. The MA- 1 speakers low frequency characteristics are complimented by a 10-inch acoustic suspension woofer in a sealed wooden cabinet, offering tight and accurate low-frequency reproduction without the need for an external equalizers. The "MA" in actually referred to both the company name and "multi-axis", such as the MA-1. Clearly this pair of speakers is an excellent example of esoteric audiophile history (see below).
Cash Sale No Holds, Call or Text for Local Pick-up Only. No Shipping.
Condition: These speakers were recently tested by DALAUDIO and are in good working condition. They were obviously cared for. We are can provide you with an audition, with proper notice. All drivers are functional, all rear mounted controls are equally functional. Overall this hard to find set is in very good condition. The sound is quite full, and open. Please see all photos. We are including a copy of the Micro Acoustics Loudspeaker 8 Page 2 color marketing brochure. This vintage pair of speakers can be driven with as little as 18 Watts with the maximum set at 70 Watts RMS. Note: The grills shape and color remind me of the 1970s JBL L-65 or L120 series.
Speaker Components:
Main Driver: 10" acoustic suspension
Tweeter Array: Five 1-1/4"" cone tweeters
Crossover: 1.7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Size: 26" H x 15.5" W x 13" D
Cabinet Type: Composite, vinyl walnut with brown grille cloth
Min Power: 18 Watts RMS
Max Power: 70 Watts RMS
Weight: 40 lbs
Original price $210.00
A bit of history.
Micro-Acoustics Corporation was an innovative US audio company, founded in Elmsford, NY, in 1969 by Arnold Schwartz (President) and Sanford Drelinger (Vice President). This relatively small company made components for professional and home audio use. The two experienced founders were well known in New York professional circles for precision phono cartridges, and multi axis loudspeakers. Arnolds' technical background included a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from City College of New York, Sonotone, Bendix Corporation, University Loudspeakers and CBS Labs where his research in sound localization and the importance of source symmetry became well accepted. Sandy Drelinger background included a degree from Julliard, extensive musical instrument design, and marketing background. The two shared responsibility for virtually everything in the company.
Instead of relying on a single, directional tweeter, the Micro Acoustics team used an array of multiple small cone tweeters arranged at different horizontal angles. These speakers low frequency characteristics were complimented by a 10-inch acoustic suspension woofer in a sealed wooden cabinet, offering tight and accurate low-frequency reproduction without the need for an external equalizer (like Bose). This design aimed to bounce a full range of sound evenly throughout the room, creating an expansive, soundstage and preventing the listener from having to be locked in a specific "sweet spot". If this design sounds familiar, Bose thought so as well.
When Micro Acoustics sound started gaining traction in audio showrooms, Bose responded. The lawsuit between Micro-Acoustics (MA) and Bose occurred in the late 1970s and lasted through the early 1980s. It involved Bose suing the smaller audio company, Micro-Acoustics, for patent infringement over their loudspeaker design, specifically alleging that Micro-Acoustics' distributed tweeter array design infringed on Bose patents. In an attempt to enforce their patent, Bose sent warning letters to Micro-Acoustics’ retail partners (such as Tech Hi Fi) threatening them with patent infringement lawsuits if they continued to sell the Micro-Acoustics speakers. Ultimately Bose prevailed, as Micro Acoustics filed for bankruptcy in the early 1980s. Most report this was due to the exhausting copyright lawsuit with Bose, and the declining sales of phono cartridges due to the entry of the Compact Disc Players.
