Marantz DS 940 (1977–1980)
A 4-way floor-standing speaker system from Marantz's 9xx series, with tunable bass ports and LPF dome tweeters.
Overview
The Marantz DS 940 is a 4-way floor-standing speaker system built in Japan from 1977 to 1980. It was the top model in the Marantz 9xx speaker series. The system uses a specially ordered 12-inch "Horley cone" woofer, a 5-inch midrange driver in a sealed back chamber, and two dome tweeters - a 1.5-inch LPF dome tweeter and a 1-inch LPF dome super tweeter - for extended high-frequency response.
Specifications
| Configuration | 4-way, 4-speaker floor type |
| Woofer | 12 inch |
| Midrange | 5 inch (with dedicated back chamber) |
| Tweeter | 1.5 inch dome (LPF Dome Tweeter) |
| Super Tweeter | 1 inch dome (LPF Dome Tweeter) |
| Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Frequency response | 30 Hz to 22,000 Hz ±3dB |
| Crossover frequencies | 750 Hz, 2300 Hz, 5000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB / 2.83V / 1m |
| Maximum power input | 150W |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 381 x 1162 x 305 mm |
| Original price | ¥175,000 (Japan) |
Design
The woofer is a specially ordered "Horley cone" unit. The midrange driver is matched to the woofer and sits in its own sealed back chamber, so the two don't interfere with each other. The tweeter and super tweeter use Marantz's Light Weight Linear Polyester Film (LPF) dome technology for low distortion and precise directivity. The front baffle has tunable ports sealed with urethane foam, so you can adjust the low-frequency response to suit the room. The enclosure is a raised "tall boy" design with a reinforced structure and a bridge base that acts as a stand and aids in low-frequency room acoustic processing.
Market
A used pair in "Good" condition was listed for $1000 in April 2024. The most common issue is deterioration of the foam surrounds on the woofers. A "Marantz DS 940 Speaker Surround Re-Foam Repair Kit For Woofer" is available for restoration.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Marantz 1090
- Marantz 10B
- Marantz 1120 (1971–1977)
- Marantz 1180
- Marantz 1200B