altec frame size

[bowtie427ss]

AFAIK, Most all of the desireable Altec drivers are on a cast frame, there are a couple exceptions but you can be sure that any version of the 515 is going to be on a cast frame, 15 or 16 inch, as it's motor is just too heavy to be properly supported and kept in allignment by a stamped steel frame.

I think there's a 15 inch model 600B that has a stamped frame?

[Old Guy]

A lot of people seem to labor under the misconception early Altec frames were stamped. They were cast, with few exceptions.

They just don't look like the "angular" type frames popular today.

[valhallax]

ive been looking for a pair of 515b's to compliment the pair of northern electrics i bought from bill at gpa..and have noticed, what appears to be 16 inch 515b's on fee pay. i say this becuase i was under the impression that all 15 inch frames were the stamped and the cast frames were 16..did they make 15 inch cast frames?

[Steve Schell]

The Lansing 15-X (pedestal with rectifier)and 15-XS (no pedestal, no rectifier) woofers of 1935 began the series of what became the Altec 15" cast frame woofers. Beginning in about 1942 some of the Altec 15" drivers, including the 815 Iconic woofer and 601 field coil Duplex used a stamped steel frame sourced from Utah. Aluminum was a scarce material during the war. Reportedly some of the 415 theatre woofers of this period had cast pot metal frames which tended to crack. By the time the 515 debuted in 1945 they were back to using aluminum. The original 803 used in the model 800 VOTT in 1947 used a Utah stamped frame, but was upgraded to a cast frame shortly after.

There have been some very stout stamped frames, such as those used in the various RCA 15s and the early Magnavox 15s. The Utah frames were not bad, though not as strong as the RCAs.

Some cast frames weren't so good, notably some of the Wharfedales which were too thin and bent easily.

[valhallax]

ok..im not sure what to call the cast frames that look like stamped frames, just trying to discern the differences between what appears to be 15 or 16 inch frames.. are all frames that have the newer version cast arms, all 16 inch? are all the olde versions 15? some accurate terminology would help to sound less of an imbecile...lol and actually what im looking for is a way to tell if a speaker is a 15.

[Old Guy]

They are all 15" speakers. 15" is a bit misleading since the cone is smaller than that.

Old frames are close to 15" in diameter, newer ones are 16". Cone diameter is the same.

I would differentiate them as "old" and "new style" rather than say 16". Your mileage may vary.

Referencing Altecs, all new frames are larger.

[valhallax]

i do know however..that new frame styles wont fit in my heathkit as-101's or my black 210's. so im limited to woofers here

[Old Guy]

Sorry didn't mean to imply that they were universal fit.


Newer Altec frames cause problems in numerous cabinets. I've made alterations many times. Newer 210's are wider than old ones to allow for the bigger frame.