515 e

[valhallax]

having a pair of 515e's, im wondering what their original application was? ive auditioned them in my 828's , and they took very little adjusting with my eq using my rta..compared to my 515 g's a cpl of frequencies needed toned down quite a bit, 250 hz for sure. very powerful sounding speakers in the 828, with more of a chest thumping bass than the 515 g. again, what were these originally intended for?

[GM]

The 515 series is primarily a mid-bass thru lower mids horn driver with specs changing over the years to accommodate tubes, then SS, and finally optimized for the small mid-bass horns after the industry switched to a separate 'sub' system to handle the woofer BW.

Anyway, the 'E' was the ceramic motor version of the earlier AlNiCo models optimized for high output impedance amps and why with its fast rising response it 'thumps' so hard in an 828 without EQ.

[scott fitlin]

And I love that HUGE thump ceratin Altec woofers make. Its part of that " Larger Than Life Sound " that makes Altec so coveted.

Altec woofers have that immediacy that is unreal.

[scott fitlin]

I sort of agree GM, but at this time I'm on the fence with neodymium. ITS efficient no doubt, but a bit different sounding, especially thru the mids, and that is the part I dont know if I like yet.

Now, since I have heard and used different brands of neo mag woofers, I would like to hear a GPA neo based 416, 421, or 515 woofer. Theres an interesting idea, if Bill could come up with neo designs of Altec models, offering the sound and performance of high energy magnets, the reduced weight, and of course, a much lower cost than Alnico!

But then again, no other brand of speaker ever sounded quite like Altec, even when we were alnico, or ceramic, it would be interesting to hear a GPA Neodymium Altec woofer.

My .02 cents!

[LICORNE]

This is what Altec experts had to say about the 515.


515
1945-1955 16-20 Ohms 35 watts R515-16G, 75W
R515- 8G, 75W Original 515, has great midrange, lacks low bass.

515B
1955-1978 16 Ohms 75 Watts Same as above Has great low bass, impedance drops below 16 ohms in earlier versions at midrange. Later reconed units lack midrange. Recone with 515C series cones for bass horns will solve this problem. Works great in vented bass with standard cone.

515C
1978-1982 16 Ohms 75 Watts Same as above 16" frame version of 515B. has regular constant impedance voice coil, lacks mids in horn enclosures. Great vented box woofer. Same remedies apply as 515B, last Alnico magnet 515.

515E 1982-1984 16 Ohms 75 Watts Same as above Ferrite magnet version of 515C. Lacks even more mids in horn enclosures. Don't use in larger VOT cabinets (210, 211). Great vented box woofer. Ok for A5, A7.

515G Series
1984----- 8, 16 Ohms 75 Watts Same as above Newest version of 515C. Built exclusively for horn enclosures. Don't use in vented or sealed boxes. Works better than any previous model. Great woofer.

.................................

[GM]

Indeed! Though with the caveat that the field coil units have the edge over later designs. With new F-C and to some extent, Neo mag designs, we're just now getting back to the performance potential we were at ~60 years ago.

[scott fitlin]

Right, but Convergence, what would a Neodymium magnet 515 be like?

Some one like Bill could do it, maybe it would be good! Lightweight, and efficient, thats all Im saying, a new Altec design!

[Old Guy]

I'd love to hear the speaker Scotty mentions- just because I would like the Altec mentality to survive.

[LICORNE]

Right, but Convergence, what would a Neodymium magnet 515 be like?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 515 and 416 went from ALNICO to Ferrite and
you still have some sound engineers that are not 100% convinced of the same quality.

I've heard the EON and Vertec . The mids are powerful but different than an Altec speaker.

What would it sound like . The intention would be to make it sound the same with a lighter magnet.

If a new speaker were to be designed for Touring
maybe it would be worth the trouble.

...................................

[scott fitlin]

Originally posted by CONVERGENCE:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Right, but Convergence, what would a Neodymium magnet 515 be like?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 515 and 416 went from ALNICO to Ferrite and
you still have some sound engineers that are not 100% convinced of the same quality.

I've heard the EON and Vertec . The mids are powerful but different than an Altec speaker.

What would it sound like . The intention would be to make it sound the same with a lighter magnet.

If a new speaker were to be designed for Touring
maybe it would be worth the trouble.

...................................</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Agree on all counts.

I always found Alnico motor speakers to have a certain sound, be it coloration, distortion, or whatever, but I know I like them.

Ceramic motor woofers have always done well fopr too, cant complain.

AGREE, JBL mids dont sound like Altec, but then they never did nor do they want to. Altec fans will always love Altec. I love both. But for certain apps, Altec is just a NICE sound, period.