Newer 288 drivers any good?

**BillWojo** · April 29th, 2017, 03:41 PM

I have a chance to buy a set of ceramic magnet 288 drivers for 100 bucks. They are bare drivers with loading caps, no rear covers or rubber magnet covers. Seller says that the diaphragms are original, not sure if 8 or 16 ohm. Are these any good for HiFi use?
Thanks

He Emailed back and said 8 ohm, original diaphragms. Specs look good, going to try and grab them.

BillWojo

**Elitopus1** · April 29th, 2017, 08:16 PM

I would grab them. Even if you don't like them you could make some money if you decide to pass them on

**BillWojo** · April 29th, 2017, 08:52 PM

I'll get them this week. I talked to the seller, they had an easy life as general purpose pa drivers in an amusement park. Not sure if they are 8L or 8K models. Any way to tell the difference? They should be better than the 291-8K drivers I have.

BillWojo

**Phil-G** · April 29th, 2017, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by BillWojo

They should be better than the 291-8K drivers I have.

BillWojo

I can do a side by side tomorrow.

**BillWojo** · April 30th, 2017, 10:12 AM

That would be cool. I'm wondering if there is a difference between the drivers other than the voice coils.

BillWojo

**Earl K** · April 30th, 2017, 10:53 AM

I listen to Altec 288-8K's and like them a lot .

They have a decidedly lower voice than the 802 driver .

You may find that adding a tweeter restores some lost sparkle ( though this is truly a version of YMMV ).

These diaphragms seem to fatigue faster than their compatriots, ultimately robbing HF and the lowest octave of response.
- ( I think this is mostly due to usage in industrial settings ).

I would highly recommend a pair of new GPA diaphragms right off the bat ( before judging their use in a HiFi setting ).

**Phil-G** · April 30th, 2017, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by BillWojo

That would be cool. I'm wondering if there is a difference between the drivers other than the voice coils.

BillWojo

one thing different with a 291 and a 288 is a 291 comes with a symbiotic diaphragm. and won't play as high. I was going to swap it out with one of my 288 diaphragms. to see if I can hear a difference between the housings.

**magnarc** · May 2nd, 2017, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by Phil-G

one thing different with a 291 and a 288 is a 291 comes with a symbiotic diaphragm. and won't play as high. I was going to swap it out with one of my 288 diaphragms. to see if I can hear a difference between the housings.

That's the ONLY difference, apart from the label.....

8-L will have the 4 bolt and three bolt hole mounting, nearly all Ks will only have three bolt hole mount. Ks have a much rougher surface texture/paint.

**BillWojo** · May 2nd, 2017, 08:41 AM

Well I was out that way on a job today and took a look at the drivers. Turns out they are only 1" and not even Altec. I didn't buy them but I took pictures and started a thread at AK trying to ID them.

Trying to identify some compression drivers | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

All was not lost though, I picked up a pair of Altec 32B bent horns and made a friend. This guy has a sound studio and runs a pro audio business. His studio/shop was loaded with lots of cool gear. Has several warehouses he wants to show me also, seems he is a big JBL fan. At 70 years old I told him he still has time to convert to Altec. He got a good laugh from that. Anyway, I hope to be out there again next week.

BillWojo

**Elitopus1** · May 2nd, 2017, 07:13 PM

Nice buy on the 32b horns. I have been looking for a pair of those to play around with. Pls let us know your impressions when you get a chance to try them out.

And yes its good to make audio friends. I have made some good friends by buying and selling on CL.