I finally got a pair after having a few slip through my fingers.
These ones seem to be early vintage, however after opening them up not all is as expected.
I was told the drivers had been re-foamed and to me, that would explain the dust cap glue being less than uniform as it may have been removed for shimming.
...but after removing the drivers I see this on the backside...They are the same in both speakers.
So, I'm wondering if it's possible that they did a whole re-cone and put the mass ring in there but I fear the only to find out would be to cut off the dust cap. Is this my only possibility? The speakers certainly sound good but having never heard 4430s before I have no reference for how the bottom end should sound.
Also, the 2344s are driven by these...
and the diaphragms look good but are they aluminum?
Notice below the two-piece 2344 and the (OEM?) support for the comp. driver. In another picture I've seen there is driver support internally via a wooden cradle. I wonder if this is also indicative of these being very early versions of the speakers.
Thanks for looking and I'd appreciate any insights.
Regards,
Warren