Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) P2
 

I have just inherited a pair of B&W P2, which as I understand were their
first ever speakers, does anyone know any more about these?

They are very big, and have a power socket to plug in the tweeter by the
looks of things.

Also, if anyone is interested in them please let me know as they are too big
to keep and I'd like them to go to a good home.

Many thanks in advance,

Jon

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) P2
 

Jon E wrote:
I have just inherited a pair of B&W P2, which as I understand were their
first ever speakers, does anyone know any more about these?

They are very big, and have a power socket to plug in the tweeter by the
looks of things.

Also, if anyone is interested in them please let me know as they are too big
to keep and I'd like them to go to a good home.

Many thanks in advance,

Jon


The B&W P2 and P2/H (as the P2 but with 50% greater power handling) had
an EMI bass/mid unit and an ionic tweeter (that's why you need mains
power.) The bass loading is variable, and there is a switched attenuator
for the treble. It was intended to be floor standing.

The ionic tweeter is most probably the Ionofane unit which has a radio
frequency oscillator (27MHz if I remember correctly) creating a plasma
arc at the throat of a horn. The plasma arc is modulated by the audio,
and that provides a tweeter of effectively zero mass. Gives out a bit of
ozone when operating.

Excellent 'speakers in their day, you should do well with them on Ebay.
They cost £84 in 1968, when the Quad Electrostatic was £ 57 and the
Tannoy Lancaster 15" Monitor Gold was £60


S.

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) P2
 

"Serge Auckland" wrote in message
...
Jon E wrote:
I have just inherited a pair of B&W P2, which as I understand were their
first ever speakers, does anyone know any more about these?

They are very big, and have a power socket to plug in the tweeter by the
looks of things.

Also, if anyone is interested in them please let me know as they are too
big to keep and I'd like them to go to a good home.

Many thanks in advance,

Jon
The B&W P2 and P2/H (as the P2 but with 50% greater power handling) had an
EMI bass/mid unit and an ionic tweeter (that's why you need mains power.)
The bass loading is variable, and there is a switched attenuator for the
treble. It was intended to be floor standing.

The ionic tweeter is most probably the Ionofane unit which has a radio
frequency oscillator (27MHz if I remember correctly) creating a plasma arc
at the throat of a horn. The plasma arc is modulated by the audio, and
that provides a tweeter of effectively zero mass. Gives out a bit of ozone
when operating.

Excellent 'speakers in their day, you should do well with them on Ebay.
They cost £84 in 1968, when the Quad Electrostatic was £ 57 and the Tannoy
Lancaster 15" Monitor Gold was £60


S.


Thanks Serge, that's a great help.

Wow - I had no idea of their cost compared to the Lancasters, maybe I
should keep them, I'm a little reluctant to test them given their age and
the what you've said about the tweeters but I'll give them a go.

Thanks again,

Jon