AMPRO: Vintage Projector Extension Speaker Cabinet

This is an extension speaker from a vintage projection system, and I wanted to jot down a few notes since information on this particular version seems scarce.

Most examples I’ve seen online are housed in brown cases from the USA (Ampro, based in Chicago). Those typically feature Jensen or Ampro-branded speakers, and some even include a built-in valve amplifier.

This particular unit, however, contains a Goodmans Audiom 60 speaker—12", 15 watts, 15 ohms, with an alnico magnet—made in England. These speakers were popular in the 1950s and very early 1960s, even appearing in guitar amps like the Vox AC30.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate a date code on this speaker, so pinpointing its exact age is tricky. That said, I tested it with my alnico blue-loaded AC15, and the sound is incredible—so I’ll leave it at that!

Dimensions:

• Width: 45 cm
• Height: 50 cm
• Depth: 27 cm

Cast aluminium speaker grill cover, looks to have a light coat of hammered paint.

The colour pallette of the tolex on the box reminds me of an old typewriter that my mother used to have.  It's quite well put together, the handle is metal, not plastic and it's spring loaded, so it folds down when not in use.

Nice touch using a film spool to hold the speaker cable

The spool also looks to have a light coat of hammered paint.  The jack is closer to the older telephone style than the modern 1/4" jack.

Apart from the jack on the spool, there's a parallel speaker in / out

There's also some insulation inside, which I hope is a natural fibre.