Note
The AK-5 was designed for and released with the RX-1 in 1958. But while the RX-1 was last advertised in 1964 the AK-5 disappeared after 1961. The speaker may have been sold a while longer—available if you asked for it perhaps until the stock ran out—but there is no way to know for sure.
The AK-5 is built in a nicely crafted 3/8 inch plywood box with a perforated metal grill and two-tone green styling to match the RX-1.
Inside is an 8-inch 8Ω speaker. The front panel is adorned with a “3D” silver plastic molded “Heathkit” script-type logo, the same as used on the RX-1, et al. The logo is an important design detail and the speaker should not be considered complete without it.
The first production run of the AK-5, perhaps only 100 or so kits, included a groove around the top and sides of the cabinet about an inch behind the front. Refer to Figure 1. This detail was quickly deemed an unnecessary expense and was deleted from all subsequent production.
References:
Incidental information. CQ. Oct 1959, p. 52
Photos, general information and specifications from "Heathkit: A Guide to the Amateur Radio Products," by Chuck Penson, WA7ZZE. Used with permission.
