The 19's

[RonSSS]

Always interesting to take apart new Altec toys.

I was surprised to find the speaker inputs on the bottom of the cab! What were they thinking? This is something I will change. I might even set them up for bi-wire. It's easy to do, but I have no idea if bi-wiring makes any difference.

Also was surprised to see that the horn enclosure is open to the woofer enclosure. Sneaky way to add volume for the woof. But with only 2 bolts holding the top on, there is plenty of leakage....another port so to speak. Even ported enclosures need to be airtight except for the port. And with 2 bolts I'm surprised they don't rattle. I'm thinking a couple more bolts and maybe some sort of gasket would be worthwhile.

The set I got were made in 1981 and therefore are filled with 416-8C and 902-8A's. I prefer the 902's anyway.
The 800hz horns don't ring as bad as say the 511 does. I will still damp them with the old sand and paint method. Works very well. And it's dirt cheap.

And of course the spindly wiring Altec always uses. I'm not into replacing it with anything exotic, but the "lead in" and woofer wires ought to be bigger.

Now to just get them down the basement......

Ron

[gearjammer]

Watch the first step.

[rghinton]

I damaged a new tile floor by sliding a pair of 19's into place before I installed the base. I did not know that the speaker terminals were on the bottom. ?????????????????????????????????

[RonSSS]

I have these completely taken apart now.
With the fiberglass out, I can see that there's only one diagonal brace across the rear panel. None on the sides.
I plan to add another to the inside of the rear, to form an X. And I'll add diagonal braces to the sides inside as well.
No sense letting the woofer "wiggle the box" as Jim Dickenson would say.
I also plan to add more bolts holding the tops on. 2 just seems odd to me.
Ron

[RonSSS]

This just isn't a very chatty group is it? Lot's of folks read, but very few post. And some even log in but stay hidden??? I don't get that, you can read w/o logging in. Oh well.

I added diagonal 2x2 braces to the inside on the sides of the model 19's. Gluded and screwed. Huge difference. Where a knuckle rap before created a bonk sound, they are now nice and dead. Probably not perfect by Stereophile standards, but much better than stock. I hope the rear panels respond as well.
Onward through the fog.
Is anyone interested in this stuff? If not, I'll shut up.
Ron

[davewaibel]

I am sure that they are just jealous of your new toys--come to think of it I didn't see too many posts from RonSS before the 19's came into your life, hmmm, maybe I have stumbled onto something. Can't wait to hear the new an improved 19's once you get them back together, because they sounded fine in my small *** apartment before. Now with new cones/voicecoils, improved bracing and the lack of a wasp nest sitting in front of the hf driver, I probably won't recognize them.

[cclark65]

yea, it's usually interesting to hear what people have done to make theirs sound better!

[Tranquil]

Maybe just maybe someone should do detailed measurements of the model 19 creating a DIY enclosure plan for the system and post it. This will generate lots of discussion and interest. If this has already been done please direct me to such plans. All the best seems like a great project.

[RonSSS]

Alrighty then, I'll post progress, but not every little detail.

As far as detailed plans, I can do that. I was going to anyway, I haven't been able to locate any myself either.
Do you know of any good drafting shareware?

Ron

[Altec19]

I think there might be some Model 19 blueprints around already. Maybe hold off just a bit to see if anyone comes forward. Unless, of course, you just gotta do it!