Ceiling speakers (Duplex 617-8A)

**RonSSS** · January 20th, 2010, 11:44 PM

What do you guys think of these?

ALTEC 617-8A DUPLEX LOUDSPEAKER PR. !!! - eBay (item 300388148524 end time Jan-24-10 20:29:36 PST)

These are new in the box. I have always been intrigued by these. I doubt the woof is a 414, the tS parameters are way different. But it sure looks like a 414.

Not so sure about the HF section. Seller tells me it has a phenolic fram, and a unique phase plug.

Just wondering. And of course bozos are bidding these up 6 days before the auction ends. His last pair went for approx $250....but I've seen used ones go for $100 for a pair. Still, the NIB is cool.

Ron

**bowtie427ss** · January 21st, 2010, 12:17 AM

I've heard opinions from "waste of time and money" to "best coaxial i've heard". I suspect they're somewhere in between those extremes.

I figure the only way to know for sure is to jump on one of those hundred dollar pairs one of these days and put em to the test.

**magnarc** · January 21st, 2010, 12:29 AM

They make a great surround speaker in a cinema environment.

**RonSSS** · January 21st, 2010, 01:08 AM

One thing we never know, is the seller a member.

**Old Guy** · January 21st, 2010, 07:50 AM

I own 6 of them

The LF is more of a mid bass.

The HF section....not too good.

It's a University T-50 phenolic

Has a peak around 5-6K and loses everything beyond 10k

http://alteclansingunofficial.nlenet...17-8A-Data.pdf

All that said, with a subwoofer and some help above 10k they can sound pretty good.

I have a halfway completed project that involves removing the t50 and installing another driver. Garage/workshop isn't heated so it won't get finished till better weather.