Beauty and the Beast

**voice of the theater** · November 24th, 2009, 01:59 AM

BEAUTY---GORGEOUS ALTEC MODEL 19 SPEAKERS ONE OWNER INCREDIBLE - eBay (item 260511094053 end time Nov-29-09 09:01:40 PST)This first pair looks just like the mint pair I picked up locally a few months ago except the grills in this auction look a little worn (cat pulls?)--same year as mine too. Right now they're at $660 which would be a real bargain for anyone up for a drive--about $400 less than I paid for mine. I'm sure this is a very debatable opinion but after buying my model 19's I'm convinced they are the best overall sounding (home) speakers Altec ever produced--I have to use my Alesis Equalizer to get my Heathkit AS-101's to sound close to as good as the model 19's do without an equalizer. My AS 101's are from 1971 and in mint condion--same drivers as stock Valencias from that time frame with stock heathkit crossovers and Heathkit cabs that look like "Flamenco" cabs--I did replace all the crossover capacitors in the Heathkits with help and advice from people on this board and it noticably improved their sound. The 19's sound better than my Valencias as well (1969 mint stock drivers, crossover, and cabs--have considered replacing the stock crossovers in the Valencias but that's another post....). AND THE BEAST PAIR of ALTEC MODEL NINETEEN SPEAKER CABINET s - eBay (item 220514790323 end time Nov-25-09 10:08:16 PST) What this guy did to his model 19's should be a crime punishable by significant jail time! Still, at $49 might barely be worth it as a DIY project for someone who wants to recone the woofers, refinish the cabs, and hunt down the right horns and drivers--not even sure if these cabs in this condition can be refinished they are so far gone.... I literally gasped when I saw what was done to these speakers

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · November 24th, 2009, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by voice of the theater

What this guy did to his model 19's should be a crime punishable by significant jail time! Still, at $49 might barely be worth it as a DIY project for someone who wants to recone the woofers, refinish the cabs, and hunt down the right horns and drivers--not even sure if these cabs in this condition can be refinished they are so far gone.... I literally gasped when I saw what was done to these speakers

I suspect they were picked up used someplace, probably a few owners from original. I already told him that if they don't sell, that he should re-list just the blown woofers. I think he's under the impression that the cabinets are where the value is, not the liability that they truly are, being in such thrashed condition.

**bowtie427ss** · November 24th, 2009, 10:06 AM

at $49 might barely be worth it as a DIY project for someone who wants to recone the woofers,

The woofers alone are easily worth 200-300 in their present condition, if they were close i'd buy em just to recone and flip the woofers, and have a nice fire with the cabinets if the seller wouldn't allow me to leave them behind.

Just my .02.........................

**Old Guy** · November 24th, 2009, 10:24 AM

A dedicated person, or an old fart just sitting out in the country, could still save those...

**Russnohio** · November 24th, 2009, 08:08 PM

For the "Beauty" pair, I give the seller praise for such outstanding photos! Very nice set and one can clearly see how nice!

....As for the "Beast" pair.....TRAGIC! I'd agree with Goodwill that these are probably far removed from the original owner (or at least someone whom cared).

Russ

**Leland** · November 25th, 2009, 02:18 AM

What would the woofer model number be on those. I'm not that far from both those auctions. I can't read the back of that speaker with the glare in the photo.