Model 19 Reviews

**Cut-Throat** · January 7th, 2010, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

I found to me that they are very shouty,all Treble (Khorn)

That was my impression of the very High Efficiency Khorns in the 70s and 80s, when High Power Solid State Amps were the rage. After I heard a Pair of Khorns with low powered SET amps, it totally changed my opinion. I run my Altec/Khorns with a 45 amp that has 1.8 watts per channel. - If you have not heard SET amps and Horns, I would try to get a demo.

**analog addict** · January 7th, 2010, 01:43 PM

As someone who owns both, I have to say that each have their strengths and weaknesses. First off, I have redone the 19's Crossover with Solens, FWIW. Some would say that makes them too bright, but not to my ears. The K-horns are untouched.

In a nutshell, I would say that the K-horns have better bass, but noticeably shouter mids and highs, even on tube power. Maybe it's the fault of the modded PP EL84 Maggie amp on the K-horns. However, I've also had my SE 45 amp on the K-horns with the same issue to my ears.

The 19's don't have as much bass, but what they have is just fine. They also will get slightly fatiguing to my ears after awhile, but it takes a lot more volume for a lot longer time, and varies with the amp used. I curently have the 45 amp on the 19's, and there is just something about Altecs and low powered SE tube amps.

I suppose that's why I'm rounding up the pieces for a 2A3 SE amp now.....YMMV

**Cut-Throat** · January 7th, 2010, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by analog addict

As someone who owns both, I have to say that each have their strengths and weaknesses. First off, I have redone the 19's Crossover with Solens, FWIW. Some would say that makes them too bright, but not to my ears. The K-horns are untouched.

In a nutshell, I would say that the K-horns have better bass, but noticeably shouter mids and highs, even on tube power. Maybe it's the fault of the modded PP EL84 Maggie amp on the K-horns. However, I've also had my SE 45 amp on the K-horns with the same issue to my ears.

I thought Khorns sounded 'constricted' in the Mid range, that's why I went to the Large Format Altec Horns and Drivers.

Let me ask you a question, what type of crossovers are you running in the Khorns? - I have found the Type "A" to be the best with the Low Powered SET amps. I have 45's, 2A3s and 300b's. I use a modified type "A" with my Khorn/Altec System.

**analog addict** · January 9th, 2010, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cut-Throat

I thought Khorns sounded 'constricted' in the Mid range, that's why I went to the Large Format Altec Horns and Drivers.

Let me ask you a question, what type of crossovers are you running in the Khorns? - I have found the Type "A" to be the best with the Low Powered SET amps. I have 45's, 2A3s and 300b's. I use a modified type "A" with my Khorn/Altec System.

Been awhile since I pulled them out of the corners, but IIRC, they are "AA"s.

I heard a pair of 604-8G's today for the first time - very nice! I'm hoping to make them mine before the weekend is out....

**Panomaniac** · January 9th, 2010, 12:20 PM

Wow Tom. That's quire a menagerie and quite a recommendation for the 19.

Thanks!

**theebadone** · January 9th, 2010, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Panomaniac

Wow Tom. That's quire a menagerie and quite a recommendation for the 19.

Thanks!

The elevator in the high rise must not of been big enough to get those (monster speakers) up to toms place lol

**RonSSS** · January 10th, 2010, 05:39 PM

I have had a lot of Altec systems in my listening room.
A7's set up several different ways. Duplexes with 411-8A subs, Santana's with the same subs, and now my tweaked M19's with 8184 subs. (braced cabs, top sealed to the bottom and mounted with 8 bolts instead of 4, and the ribs removed from the horns, horns damped and the bug screens removed)
With attention to detail and careful setup, all of these setups have been awesome. Yes, even the Santana.

I constructed my room to be quite dead and free of reflections. I believe the room is critical.

That said, the Duplex setup was real magic. It wouldn't rock your socks off like the larger setups, but it had image and depth in spades. BTW...these are 904-8A with the hf section modded to be like a 604. No bug screens! And the manta horn in these is sweet.

Next up is my present M19 setup. I listened last night for several hours and all I can say is wow after not having much opportunity to do so in the last year. The 8184's are crossed at 80hz with LR 24dB/oct crossovers, the M19's run full range. The subs add that extra dig on real low notes and the combo flat ass rocks.
I sit in the near field with the 19's toe'ed in. I simply am imersed in the sound field. I don't hear speakers, I hear the band right in front of me. Image is superb! Info way to the left and right of the speakers. Even at very high levels, there is no fatigue.

In the case of the 19's and duplexes, I love the adjustable x-overs. Mine are stock. The adj let's you tweak things just a bit to hit that magic sweet spot.

I also believe the audio source is critical. I have a Rotel RCD1072 player which is quite good. This feeds a passive preamp (volume control) into my home brew 30w PP300B tube amps. Subs are powered by an old Kenwood KA9100 integrated that I bought new in 77.

The only Khorns I ever heard has Altec components in them. That was so long ago, I only remember the bass. The Khorn takes a specific room.
I also heard LaScalas in a less than ideal setup, hard room and they were very harsh.
Maybe the Klipsch stuff can sound excellent, I don't know, I have never owned any. From what I gather, the components were not of the same quality as our Altecs.

20, 30, 40, and even 50 years after they were produced, these drivers and systems are still great.

BTW...I was listening to Steve Miller "Born to be Blue". A VERY well recorded red book CD.

Ron

**Tom Brennan** · January 10th, 2010, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by theebadone

The elevator in the high rise must not of been big enough to get those (monster speakers) up to toms place lol

Yeah, no more 19s but I got this in return.

And these. Stats are next best things to Altecs IMO.

**amandarae** · January 7th, 2010, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Cut-Throat

That was my impression of the very High Efficiency Khorns in the 70s and 80s, when High Power Solid State Amps were the rage. After I heard a Pair of Khorns with low powered SET amps, it totally changed my opinion. I run my Altec/Khorns with a 45 amp that has 1.8 watts per channel. - If you have not heard SET amps and Horns, I would try to get a demo.

In my opinion, that should be True DHT SET amps. Not like a IDHT pentode strapped ones for example

regards,

Abe