Expired
RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Lots of these speakers came back to the US with soldiers that had purchased them through the PX when they were stationed overseas in the 1970's. Somehow I inherited these. One speaker of the pair is missing the "wood grille". I replaced the woofers and they sound good.The Sansui SP-1200 is a vintage 3-way, 5-driver speaker system from 1975 featuring a 10-inch woofer, dual 100mm cone midranges, and dual 50mm tweeters, housed in walnut cabinets. These, often considered "furniture speakers," are known for a warm, soft sound, 60W power handling, and 92dB sensitivity. Specifications:Design: 3-way, 5-driver, front-vented system with decorative fretwork grilles.Frequency Response: 35Hz to 20kHz.Impedance: 8 ohms.Dimensions: Approximately 402 x 604 x 275 mm (15.8 x 23.8 x 10.8 inches).Sound Profile: Designed for a warm, room-filling sound, often described as having strong bass and detailed highs.Compatibility: Pairs well with vintage amplifiers.Owner Insights and Considerations:Sound Quality: While aesthetically pleasing, some users find the midrange performance lacking compared to modern speakers, though others praise the warm, vintage sound.Collectibility: They are popular for their 1970s aesthetics and, in some cases, used as studio monitor references.
US$200 is fair-to-good for an SP-1200, and can be a solid buy if they’re complete and working; these usually trade as a vintage value play rather than a collector’s premium speaker. Compared with typical used examples showing up around the low hundreds depending on condition and servicing, US$200 sits in sensible territory, not bargain-bin, but not aggressive either.
What makes them worth considering is the classic Sansui presentation: warm, relaxed voicing with a pleasing midrange and a big vintage look that fans of older Japanese speakers still chase. The upside is best when the cabinets, grilles, drivers, and level controls are all original and intact, since clean, unmolested pairs tend to be the most satisfying and easiest to enjoy. At this price, I’d want confirmation that both speakers play evenly and that the tweeter/mid controls aren’t scratchy, since age-related crossover and control issues are the main things to check.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sansui, a pioneering Japanese audio brand, traces its origins to 1947 when it was founded in Tokyo by brothers Sakurai and Shunichi Yamamoto. Emerging from post-war Japan, the company quickly established itself as an innovator in consumer electronics, leveraging precision engineering to craft components that rivaled Western counterparts. Its heritage is rooted in the golden era of hi-fi, where Sansui's commitment to sonic purity helped define Japan's rise as a global audio powerhouse.
The brand excelled in a broad spectrum of hi-fi categories, with particular renown for its integrated amplifiers, receivers, and tuners that delivered warm, dynamic sound. Sansui also produced acclaimed speakers, turntables, cassette decks, and later digital converters, emphasizing robust build quality and innovative features like direct-coupled circuitry for low distortion. These products catered to audiophiles seeking balanced performance across analog and early digital domains.
Today, Sansui holds a cherished position in the vintage collector market, revered for its mid-to-high-end gear from the 1970s and 1980s—icons like the AU-series amps remain sought after for their musicality and reliability. While no longer a frontline manufacturer, its legacy endures among discerning buyers restoring classics or hunting timeless performers, blending nostalgia with enduring value.
See all Sansui listings on RADAR.
