model 14 sound

[stereonut]

Two months ago I purchased altec-14s off of e-bay,when I unpacked them and tried them I used a scott el-84 tubed integrated amp and the wide soundstage was very welcome.Later they were moved to a differant location and were set up with a 300b tube amp[9watts per side] This combination has not worked out as good [the horn seems edgy]Im thinking about crossovers,active versus a new passive unit,i seen on this site the 19s were being worked over,by todd w. does he have a super crossover for the 14 ? My next amp hook-up will be a dynaco stereo 70,maybe that will smooth things out.I know theres a few 14 owners out there ,lets get together and fix the flaws built into our less than perfect 14s,or up-grade them,how about it?

[Jim D]

The Model 14 is on our list, but I have gotten bogged down in the 604G unit, hope to get back at it again this week. The 14 crossover, as built is extremely simple, any other better be better. It's about 4th down the list behind the G and two clandestine non-crossover projects. We do need it as we plan to build an updated 14. Jim

[stereonut]

JIM,Its march 17th,any model 14 crossover info on the minds of the creators,lately?

[jeenie67]

Hello, I own a pair of 14's and just acquired a pair of 15's. Been playing with the placement, dampning of the horns. When I went to a tube pre-amp for the tt only system...incredible! I loosely stuff a pair of nylons in the horn throat,and am thinking of spraying the outside surface of the manta horn body w/auto undercoating to help dampen it. Don't like the x-over, but this speaker is as flat as I've ever heard...and for only $300. Find that kind of sonic quality in all the digital speakers on the market today that can't reproduce anything but condensed, proccessed, limited range,brittle,hurt my ears,generic sound. I am a schooled musician with trained ears, perfect pitch and perfect rythm. I hear everything and can tell you if your playback component is off pitch. Lets correspond. Tanx, Eugene @ jeenie67.

[stereonut]

thanks Jeenie 67,Im going to try the nylon idea this weekend,unfortunatly im using cd sound,a marantz cd 63se its in the direction of sound from a cd we all expected when created.Not as smooth as albums,so the tubes have helped,Im using an ARC.sb-6,pre-amp,and will try a pair of dynaco stereo 70s with the altec-14s,the horn can get to you.I know this is a altec sight but when I PLUG in my back-up cerwin vegas they sound great,of course not as fast and articulate but,dollar for dollar if you want a sturdy,effiecent,high quality american made speaker they can sound great.Too bad best buy stopped selling them,anyway i have a couple pairs,and if I dont get the model 14s working in top shape I may have to pick-up a set of pro-cerwin vegas.We will see what develops.....by the way have you heard the sony playstation one,sounds good as a cd player ive tried it,and its not bad,the model 1001 is desirable,check it out.p.s.I seen DONALD FAGEN at the chicago theatre last week and the sound was terrible[peavy speakers]

[stereonut]

model 14- I tried a stereo 70 and my arc.6 pre-amp[6-12 ax7 tubes]but my horns are still asaulting me,this is a smooth system,how do I CHECK out the internals on this manta-ray horn?What should i look for, segments? a phase plug?Is the diapragm rubber,paper,plastic,can i get parts?Or should a pro,do it? thanks for any help. stereonut

[Old Guy]

Probably a running change- a great deal of the 14's had the newer ceramic driver. Those were likely from just prior to Altec exiting the home stereo business.

[MikeInNH]

Everything I've read said the 14 uses the 902 compression driver. And I saw NOTHING in that link that says it used the 802-8G compression driver. I will agree..they are beautiful drivers. I love them in my model 15's.

[Old Guy]

<BFG> That WOULD explain why the ones I've seen had 902's wouldn't it?

I'm always careful about saying though unless I'm pretty sure. Been bitten on the *** to many times.

Appreciate the info.

[just me now]

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/...s/model-14.htm


model 14 should have 802G driver for HF according to spec sheet... among the best sounding compression drivers that altec made. Bill at GPA can provide service for the driver.

i've never heard the 14s though.