Hello,
I was happy to see this reply, it had been a year and a half since I wrote the post and had forgotten all about it.
What an amazing story, made me smile to hear of the deal done in return for the welding.
Very surprised and pleased to hear of their intended use in live jazz, I do listen to jazz often through them. Impressed that they are their top of the range speaker. They to me sound so much better when driven harder. I am very impressed with them too and feel very lucky to have inherited something that today would have cost £1000s potentially.
The story is;
My Dad and a good friend of his were in a hifi shop on the Edgeware Road and was told that the speakers were surplus stock, and words to the effect (my dad can't really remember after 35 years) that Sonaudax found that they weren't selling well, so this hifi shop were selling them off at a reduced price. He too thought they were much better than more expensive competition.
Dad says he think he paid around £125 for the pair back then. Quite a lot.
Also, my Dad's friend who went with him bough another pair, and recently he game me them as he no longer used them or had the space. I therefore have two pairs also. One pair refurbished, the others awaiting for when I need them.
Hope this was interesting.
best,
Luke