Audio Illusions “The Kenner” Model S-1 Loudspeakers - Very Rare

Selling from my personal collection: My understanding is that this company was short lived and very few of these were ever manufactured. So don’t miss this opportunity to own a very rare pair of 1980’s vintage Hi-Fi speakers, made in the USA.

Extremely rare loudspeakers from Audio Illusions, Inc., formerly of San Diego CA. This model is a 2-way sealed cabinet design featuring an 8 inch LF driver and a 1 inch HF driver in a reflecting tweeter assembly. The tweeter is suspended above the top of the speaker cabinet pointing upward with a curved “projector” placed above it. This was said to provide a wide-dispersion pattern. The original SJA woofers are no longer available and have been replaced with spec matched aftermarket drivers.

The walnut veneer on the cabinet sides is in great shape. The top of the cabinets are oak veneer which was not originally visible. This is because the loudspeakers had non-removable grilles that looked like circus-tents. These were glued down and stretched over the projector. (IMO they looked a bit silly.) Someone who was handy with a sewing machine could reproduce the original “look” if so desired. I have attached a period magazine ad that illustrates this. The new front grilles are removable.

Surprisingly great sound and bass response on these. They may look a bit odd, but the design just works. They are listed as 4 ohms nominal but are really closer to an 8 ohm load. The crossover melds the different impedance drivers together pretty well. They also came with resistors one can insert to “tame” the high frequencies.  Some have been lost, but what remains are included.  With careful room placement, these are not needed. They can be put on stands, but you will have to experiment with the height given the bizarre tweeter arrangement. They also have rubber feet on the bottom for easy placement anywhere else.

Overall, they look great but do have some minor imperfections as expected given their age. Fairly massive at 25 lbs. each. No significant issues. Excellent performers. Will ship in 2 cartons (Original factory foam-lined boxes) Fully insured.

• Make:  Audio Illusions
• Model:  “The Kenner” Model S-1
• Description:  Acoustical Image Projector
• Type:  2-Way Air-Suspension System
• Circa:  Early 1980’s
• Impedance:  4 Ohms
• Frequency Response:  40-20,000 Hz
• Crossover Frequency:  2500 Hz
• Recommended Power:  40-125 W/channel continuous
• Dimensions:  22.5”H x 10.25”W x 9”D
• Weight:  25 lbs each
• Woofer:  8-inch Treated Paper Cone
• Tweeter:  1-inch Silk Dome