need forum members wisdoms....

[timmytimtams]

greetings from down under, Australia. im new to the forum n pretty much new to the world of vintage speakers, particularly Altec n JBL.

im abt to embark on purchasing the following speaker systems using the following drivers. i will try to add pics if i could. Altec 414-16Z 12" in a petite onken box with JBL-2405 Tweeter. box is topped by a altec horn driver 291-16A in a custom made 329A wood horns. passive cross over using mostly solen parts. My concern before buying the speakers are this : I have no chance of listening to it before purchasing. speaker system is 1000 km away.

Could forum members pls assists me in giving details in the sort of sound quality i could expect from this drivers. and if the systems are worth the following price AUD$3000 which is abt US$2800. i hav a Custom made 300b SET, previous speakers r fostex fe206B in fostex backhorned box.
i hope older n more knowledgeable forum members could assists, thankyou everyones in advanced.

[David Yost]

I would think that, like anything else, the sound quality of this rig will depend on the execution--particularly the crossover implementation...the components themselves are very high quality. The JBL tweeters would probably cost about $250/pair here, 414 woofers maybe $150-200 each, 291 drivers about the same. I don't have a clue about the 329 horns, but 311-90s have been going up lately and can bring $500/pair...the 329s are rarer.

I haven't used Onkens myself, but supposedly they were designed with ss amplification in mind.

[bfish]

As David noted, they're all nice components individually. They'd be a nightmare to integrate into a satisfactory system though. Consider that it takes a dual-515 210 horn to "keep up" with a 291/329 (110dB at 1W/4ft), and the reason should be obvious.

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 03, 2008 11:48 AM: Message edited by: bfish ]</font>

[GM]

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 04, 2008 10:29 AM: Message edited by: GM ]</font>

[bfish]

No I wasn't GM, and you're correct. I've edited my comment accordingly. Thanks!

Instead of exaggerating the facts to highlight the obvious, I should have given an analogy...mating a 291/329 to a single reflex-loaded 414 would be akin to mounting a jet engine in a golf cart...sure you could turn it down or govern it, but what a waste!

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 03, 2008 11:59 AM: Message edited by: bfish ]</font>

[David Yost]

If TTimTams gets these, perhaps he could bi-amp with ss on the bottom (AKSA 55 watters would be perfect for them) and use his SET amps on the compression drivers, thus eliminating the need to pad down the horns. Should make for a very dynamic hi-efficiency system.

[bfish]

Yep, and maybe an inexpensive chip amp for the JBL.

[timmytimtams]

thankyou to david, bfish n GM for your insightful comments. Im still pretty much learning, but im in fine companies! here is an external link to the speakers concerned. Gentlemens Pls feel free to comments further as your advices are highly appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MEDW:IT&ih=015

cheers

[magnarc]

Honestly, that is an odd combo. You'd need at least a 416 to keep up with the 291.

I've done this, why not get in from the US a good pair of 604's. Their sound is much more predictable, and if you are concerned, get the US seller to ship direct to Great Plains, get them checked, and then get Bill to box them up properly for the trip here. You could then get a local carpenter to custom build you two enclosures approx to the 620 cab, and get similar sound.

There is a guy on eBay selling 828/A7's with **** non Altec drivers in if you want something with big presence, and a guy in QLD with genuine restored A7's that he wants $1500 too much for.

Anthony

[timmytimtams]

thx anthony and everyones.
could you fine gents give me ur personal oppionions as to : should i avoid the altec 291/414combo or give it a go tri amping it to see how it pans out? lastly, monetary considerations as i don't know the market values of what is worth. US$2800 sounds a fair deal?

cheers gents