EOL for Knowles Grand/Donau Speakers; CUI replacements

[jdcolombo]

Hi folks.

I just got a notice from Digikey that two of the Knowles speakers I have used extensively in my sound installations, the Grand (13x18mm) and the Donau (15x11mm) have been discontinued.  They will be available until April 26, and then that's it.

However, CUI, Inc. has replacements for both of these, Digikey part #'s 102-3537-ND (11x15mm) and 102-3541-ND (13x18mm).  CUI also makes a 9x16mm that can replace the Knowles Wildcat, part #102-3540-ND.

All the CUI speakers have similar specs to the Knowles speakers (actually, a bit better in some areas, such as resonant frequency) and should be fine for our sound installations.  Sadly, still no 8x12mm speaker available OEM, which is a size we really need for hood diesel and switcher installations.

John C.

[peteski]

Thanks for the update John.

[tom mann]

I think this is the first thread that I've seen here in that I had no idea what it was about based on the title.  I must be getting old!

[jdcolombo]

I think this is the first thread that I've seen here in that I had no idea what it was about based on the title.  I must be getting old!

Yeah, it was a bit cryptic.  Added the word "speakers" to the title to make it a little less so.

John C.

[reinhardtjh]

All I needed was to see "Knowles" to know the topic. 

The interesting thing in the EOL announcement is that Knowles cites low utilization of semi-automated productions lines as the reason.  I guess whatever mainstream market these speakers were designed for have move on to something else.

[Kisatchie]

I think this is the first thread that I've seen here in that I had no idea what it was about based on the title.  I must be getting old!

Hmm... all I knew was it
was the end of the line
for something...

[peteski]

Funny - it appears that MBK figured out what model railroaders want and now they sell one of the Knowles speakers directly.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Knowles-423-1201-ND-Cobra-Speaker-p/dgk-423-1201-nd.htm

[reinhardtjh]

Funny - it appears that MBK figured out what model railroaders want and now they sell one of the Knowles speakers directly.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Knowles-423-1201-ND-Cobra-Speaker-p/dgk-423-1201-nd.htm

What's even funnier, I saw when the Cobra appeared on the MBK list and there was also about 40 of the Knowles Wildcat speakers also.  Then the next day they were gone. I don't know if it was a mistake listing or someone bought all 40.

[fire5506]

What's even funnier, I saw when the Cobra appeared on the MBK list and there was also about 40 of the Knowles Wildcat speakers also.  Then the next day they were gone. I don't know if it was a mistake listing or someone bought all 40.

 Right now there are 205 wildcats showing as in stock and 24 cobras showing in stock.

Richard

[reinhardtjh]

 Right now there are 205 wildcats showing as in stock and 24 cobras showing in stock.

Richard

I see that.  Previously, when I looked at the "Shop by Manufacturer" drop down, Knowles had 1 listing, now there are two.  They must have sold the first 40 something and restocked.  Apparently MBK must buy from Digikey because the "423-1399-ND" in the listing is the stock number at Digikey for the Wildcat.

I looked at the CUI speakers and they are more expensive that the Knowles.