Altec 413-8A woofer

[theebadone]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone had any info on the 413-8A woofer. I know that it is a cheaper version of the 411-8A, and used in the santiagos. And also used with the EQ/ATT. 30904 and always used in a sealed enclosure (unported). Just wondering how it compares in performance to the 411. Any info. or links would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Old Guy]

I saw where you referred to them as "cheesy" in another forum...I hardly think that is accurate.

People are obsessed with voice coil size. Truth be known, almost all Altecs use 3 inch coils...yet this is the evidence they are cheaper?

I am certain they cost a bit less than the 411, but weren't "cheap" by any stretch. The bigger coil is going to handle more power.

And with a sealed box you may or may not need that.

The thing is, companies cannot survive making one product. People want choices. Years later some of those choices turn out to be more or less popular.

The Edsel was virtually the same car as a Mercury. For various reasons, including they were higher priced car in a recession, and they looked odd, people scorned them. Many were junked when they got older. Now they have become collectible. They bring a premium price.

An Edsel cost less than a Lincoln but now sells for more. Go figure.

My point? Whether it's cheap or not has little to do with it. The 755A was a cheap speaker actually but I'd love to stumble across an old hotel with ceilings full of them.

Anyway the 413 isn't a bad speaker. If I had a pair I would try to measure them, and once I have the TS specs would sim them in different boxes. GM did some sims I think of 411 in vented boxes, the 413 could probably do that too.

They aren't real common, so I doubt you will find much info on them beyond what you got from Bowtie.

Never hurts to ask of course.

[whitebroncoii]

413?
I've got nothing . . .

[Old Guy]

As far as I know the 413 was made for one application. That is subject to change, as are most of my opinions, given evidence.

[bfish]

They use an overhung coil, kind of a rarity in Altec drivers. Like the 411, they can benefit from a new foam surround if they still have the original cloth. I've never bothered to measure mine, it's in an undersized, sealed bass MI amp, and suits me real well where it is.

[theebadone]

I saw where you referred to them as "cheesy" in another forum...I hardly think that is accurate.

People are obsessed with voice coil size. Truth be known, almost all Altecs use 3 inch coils...yet this is the evidence they are cheaper?

I am certain they cost a bit less than the 411, but weren't "cheap" by any stretch. The bigger coil is going to handle more power.

And with a sealed box you may or may not need that.

The thing is, companies cannot survive making one product. People want choices. Years later some of those choices turn out to be more or less popular.

The Edsel was virtually the same car as a Mercury. For various reasons, including they were higher priced car in a recession, and they looked odd, people scorned them. Many were junked when they got older. Now they have become collectible. They bring a premium price.

An Edsel cost less than a Lincoln but now sells for more. Go figure.

My point? Whether it's cheap or not has little to do with it. The 755A was a cheap speaker actually but I'd love to stumble across an old hotel with ceilings full of them.

Anyway the 413 isn't a bad speaker. If I had a pair I would try to measure them, and once I have the TS specs would sim them in different boxes. GM did some sims I think of 411 in vented boxes, the 413 could probably do that too.

They aren't real common, so I doubt you will find much info on them beyond what you got from Bowtie.

Never hurts to ask of course.

Sorry, when i said cheesy it was all in fun. I dont honestly think Altec made anything cheesy. If i thought that I wouldn't be workin on my 4th pair. I enjoy the sound of the old Altecs, better than anything i have listened to so far. So apparently Altec didn't make the 413 very long, and from what i can find the 411 replaced it. I sure would like to find more info on this driver, there is almost nothing. I also enjoyed your analogy about the edsel but you gotta admit, it was one butt ugly car.