Model 19 Reviews

[Cut-Throat]

And you'd be wrong.....MOST of the disco's where I grew up at were Klipsch....and installed by (at the time) the #1 Klipsch dealer/installer in the country (Superior Sound).

The first Klipsch speaker I really really liked was the Forte'.

Well, I am having a hard time believing that you actually saw Klipschorns at a Disco. If you did and they were set up properly, they would be about 20 feet apart in proper corners, which is a pretty small disco. Yes, the Discos probably had Klipsch Speakers, but I'd be shocked if they had Klipschorns, which were designed for the home and not used for the 'pro environment'

I am also guessing that if you heard Klipschorns at a Disco, they were powered by some massive solid state amps, and I would have agreed with you that they would have sounded terrible. Throw in some lousy disco room acoustics, and some terrible disco music and yes, you would have a recipe for disaster.

[voice of the theater]

I just read the wiki on Dr. John K. Hilliard--what an interesting part of Altec's history he was (and history in general). At the risk of sounding ignorant, I don't get what he meant about Klipschorns when he said "You know - if you listen carefully, you'll find it not only doubles, it triples!"

[MikeInNH]

Well, I am having a hard time believing that you actually saw Klipschorns at a Disco.

Believe what you want...Not all disco's where HUGE...In the late 70's early 80's every bar that had a dance floor turned it into a disco. The big clubs around used mainly JBL...some used Altec...and a few used EV. Most in my area used Klipsch....There were at least 3 that used Klipschorn....Most used LaScala's.

I am also guessing that if you heard Klipschorns at a Disco, they were powered by some massive solid state amps, and I would have agreed with you that they would have sounded terrible. Throw in some lousy disco room acoustics, and some terrible disco music and yes, you would have a recipe for disaster.

All disco's had the same problems. They all used large solid state amps (mainly McIntosh or Crown). They all suffered from room accoustics. Are you saying that JBL or Altec's in the same room would have the same muddy base problems??? Maybe...but I know of one disco that switched out the Klipsch LaScala's to JBL's...and the sound difference was astounding. Klipsch are great speakers...I'm not saying they aren't...But there are certain things I've always thought (and many others) that Klipsch did poorly was good solid base and good mid's. If you liked them...GREAT...Doesn't mean that everyone will. I can show you a couple of sound engineers who think their Yamaha's are the BEST speakers ever made.

[Altec Best]

Most used LaScala's.



. I can show you a couple of sound engineers who think their Yamaha's are the BEST speakers ever made.

There was one disco near me that used LaScala's.... 4 of the LaScala's


Everyone is going to have their own opinion to likes and dislikes. Not Everyone is going to like the same thing.I have actually heard someone (A Friend) say back in the day that a pair of pioneers sounded great and it was so loud the woofers were to the point of popping Distortion 100% But to him they sounded good they were Pioneers they had to be good right ?? I personally like to do Blind tests without knowing What make,model, etc.. This way you give a fair evaluation and most people I have done this with were surprised at the result.I give all speakers that I listen to a fair evaluation.After all I'm looking for the best sounding speaker to my ears so it is a serious but fair evaluations.The model 19 is one of the best to my ears and will never part with them Ever !!! For the amount of money and quality that you get nothing comes close.Khorns are way overpriced they are what ?? $4000 apeice.For value and sound quality the 19 can not be beat.I paid $909 for my pair + shipping $200 and they are in mint condition the only thing they needed were the foams around the H811 and also the XO's needed to be rebuilt/Solens.I don't think there is another speaker on the planet that I could get with this quality for that amount of money.To Equal that I would have to spend Min. $3000 but this is My Honest Opinion on the Altec Model 19 Regards ~ AB

[Tom Brennan]

I was a pretty experienced horny with many such systems including Klipsch LaScalas, Cornwalls and Hereseys, Altec A7, A&-500s and A5s, Model 19s, Altec 605s and Heath AS-21s and various DIY concoctions using EV, JBL, Altec, McCauley, PAudio, Edgar and who knows what else horns and drivers.

Anyway I think the Model 19s were the best overall, turn-key, all in one box speakers ever. There might be some speakers that do this or that a little better but the 19s had a winning combination of clarity, dynamics, extension on both ends of the range and imaging.

Had I not sold my house and moved into a high rise I'd still be using them.